Anthony Patterson, CEO of UAB Hospital, will join the UAB School of Health Professions on Jan. 1, 2023, as the inaugural associate dean for Clinical Affairs and Strategy. He will be responsible for creating and implementing a plan for faculty-led clinics and increasing the number of clinical fieldwork sites for student placement, among other responsibilities.
“I could not be more excited to have Anthony join our team. He has more than 25 years’ experience at all levels within UAB Medicine — literally from nurse to CEO — so he understands better than anyone exactly what is required to lead and succeed in a clinical environment,” said Andrew Butler, Ph.D., dean, UAB School of Health Professions.
“What drew me to SHP was the opportunity to create something special — something that truly directly impacts lives and health — and to work with a collaborative team that has a strong vision of the future of health care,” Patterson said. “I also feel fortunate that many of my new responsibilities will allow me to continue to work with the UAB Medicine leadership, faculty and staff I have known for decades — terrific allies who will play a role in the success of our new plans at the School of Health Professions.”
In 2022, the school launched a strategic growth plan with clinical enterprise as one of its four pillars. Patterson will oversee this entire enterprise, which includes working to forge new business partnerships to deliver preventive and therapeutic services and develop new initiatives to expand educational and clinical offerings in underserved communities.
Since 2003, Patterson, an alumnus of UAB’s No. 1 ranked M.S. in Health Administration program (MSHA Class 26), has served UAB Hospital as associate vice president, chief operating officer of the UAB Highlands campus, senior vice president of inpatient services and CEO. During his tenure at the helm, he has continued to skillfully guide the hospital through the COVID crisis. In addition, UAB Medicine witnessed tremendous growth (now home to the 8th largest hospital in the nation) and achievement under his leadership.
Patterson credits all these accomplishments to the teamwork of faculty, staff and leadership — the colleagues and friends whom he will continue to work closely with in his new role in SHP.
“UAB Hospital is an incredible institution that makes up the backbone of the state’s health care system, and I look to replicate that collaborative model and attain the equivalent status for our future clinical sites in the School of Health Professions,” Patterson said.
Patterson is a two-time magna cum laude graduate of UAB, and he has appeared multiple times in the Birmingham Business Journal’s “Who’s Who in Healthcare” feature.
“Anthony’s steady and visionary leadership — especially as CEO of UAB Hospital — has helped us grow into the eighth-largest hospital in the U.S. and ensured that UAB Medicine always provides high-quality care to every patient who enters our facility,” said Reid Jones, CEO of UAB Medicine. “We are grateful for Anthony’s many accomplishments, which includes the experienced hospital leadership team he has built. It is a remarkably strong group that will work closely with faculty and staff to ensure a smooth transition as we continue to grow, thrive and serve those who count on us.”
