S. Dawn Bulgarella, MSHA, has been named Chief Financial Officer of UAB Medicine, a move signifying the continued strategic alignment between the UAB School of Medicine and the UAB Health System.In this new role, Bulgarella will be responsible for the financial support of both the School of Medicine and the Health System and will serve as the liaison with UAB’s vice president for Financial Affairs and Administration, the UA System and the UA Trustees. She will provide oversight of the financial performance of operating units, participate in strategic planning of the organizations and advise on issues of financial program development.
“This new, joint position helps create more alignment between the Health System and the School, and better positions UAB Medicine to compete in a challenging health care environment while advancing toward our goal of becoming an even greater academic medical center,” says Selwyn M. Vickers, senior vice president for Medicine and dean of the School of Medicine. “I cannot think of anyone more qualified than Dawn to lead the financial health of UAB Medicine.”
Will Ferniany, Ph.D., CEO of the UAB Health System, noted that Dawn is uniquely qualified for this role, with her finance background, departmental experience, current role in the SOM and having serviced on the Health System Executive Cabinet.
Bulgarella has been the senior associate dean for Administration and Finance in the School of Medicine for the past three years, but her experience at UAB goes back 21 years, serving in administrative and departmental leadership roles.
The appointment will take effect Oct. 1, 2014. Bulgarella will report jointly to Vickers and Ferniany, and will serve in both their executive cabinets.