Miller named president of Michigan Medicine clinical enterprise

One of Michigan Medicine’s clinical leaders, David C. Miller, will be the new president of the University of Michigan Health System as of Jan. 1, 2021. His appointment was approved Dec. 3 by the Board of Regents.

Miller has been the chief clinical officer for University Hospital and the Frankel Cardiovascular Center since 2018. In this new role, he will provide strategic and operational leadership of the clinical enterprise of Michigan Medicine.

Miller also was named executive vice dean of clinical affairs for the Medical School, in which he will work collaboratively with leadership from the Medical School to ensure that the clinical and medical education missions are aligned.

Miller replaces David A. Spahlinger, who is stepping down from the position at the end of December. Spahlinger has served in these roles since 2016, and after 26 years of leadership at Michigan Medicine, will continue as a member of faculty.

Miller, a urologist and surgeon, is a nationally recognized expert in urological oncology, quality improvement and health services research. He has a substantial record of service including participation with numerous national committees for the American Urological Association.

Miller also served as a founding director of the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative, an internationally recognized consortium of urology practices that has achieved statewide improvements in the quality and outcomes of prostate cancer care.

“This is an extremely important role during ‘normal’ times, and even more consequential in the midst of a pandemic,” said Marschall Runge, CEO of Michigan Medicine, dean of the Medical School and executive vice president for medical affairs.

“One of the most important requirements of this position is to have someone who is not just a visionary but an expert in improving clinical safety and operations, creating efficiencies and enhancing the patient experience,” Runge said.

“David has repeatedly demonstrated his leadership skills at Michigan Medicine and has extensive experience with complex communication and collaborative problem-solving and change management. He is highly regarded for implementing new solutions to long-standing clinical, operational, scientific and cultural challenges.”

Runge thanked Spahlinger for his more than two decades of leadership at Michigan Medicine, during which the health care system has grown exponentially, built new facilities and established affiliations across the state.

Miller, a native of Midland, Michigan, received his medical degree in 1999 from Washington University School of Medicine. He completed residency training in urology at U-M in 2005 and served as chief resident from 2004-05.

Miller also obtained his master’s degree in public health from U-M in 2005. From 2006-08, Miller completed a fellowship in urological oncology and health services research at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Miller has been an active emergency response leader during Michigan Medicine’s pandemic planning and implementation. He also served in crucial roles building Michigan Medicine’s strategic partnerships with other health care systems, which have enhanced care delivery across the state.

“I am honored to take on this job and ready to work at building and enhancing the culture of collaboration, innovation and inclusiveness at one of the nation’s top academic medical centers,” Miller said.

“I look forward to maintaining our focus on improving access to care, enhancing quality and safety, and optimizing the experience for patients cared for in the University of Michigan Health System. Central to all of these efforts will be continued collaboration between diverse, multidisciplinary teams of professionals from all parts of our mission: clinical care, education of future health care providers, and research into the health care challenges of our time.”