Stacey, Schroffel to leave UC Health

Rulon Stacey and Bruce Schroffel, who helped create University of Colorado Health three years ago, are stepping down from their respective positions as president and CEO, effective Jan. 31.

Schroffel was president and CEO of the University of Colorado Hospital, and Stacey president and CEO of Poudre Valley Health System, when they began talks in 2010 to merge the two organizations. The medical centers signed a letter of intent the following June, and finalized the joint-operating agreement in January 2012.

“Bruce and Rulon, they formed the system together,” said spokesman Dan Weaver. “They've worked closely together. So I think it's not so surprising that they decided to leave together.”

Stacey, 53, will spend the next six months focused on the transition and planning his next move, Weaver said. Schroffel, 62, plans to retire.

Aurora-based UC Health plans to combine the two positions, and the board of directors will soon begin a national search for the person who will serve as the new president and CEO, according to an e-mailed news release.

Dr. William Neff, the system's chief medical officer, will serve as interim president and CEO starting Oct. 1.

Stacey, one Modern Healthcare's 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare in 2011, joined Poudre Valley in 1996 as its fifth CEO in four years. During his tenure, the system won considerable recognition for quality and performance.

In March 2011, the American College of Healthcare Executives confirmed Stacey as its 77th chairman. Two years later, he was named chairman of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Board of Overseers.

Schroffel, nominated this year to the 100 Most Influential list, became president and CEO of University of Colorado Hospital in 2006, after serving as director and CEO of Stony Brook (N.Y.) University Hospital, where he oversaw a financial turnaround and $300 million renovation.

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