USC’s medical wings went through some major changes last week.
After six years, Rodney Hanners has stepped down as chief executive of Keck Medicine of USC, which operates the university’s hospital network throughout Los Angeles County. And after four years, Carolyn Meltzer has stepped down as dean of USC’s Keck School of Medicine. Although Meltzer will become president of the Radiological Society of North America, the circumstances surrounding Hanners’ departure were less clear. Notably, USC President Beong-Soo Kim – who took over the system this spring – noted that Hanners had served “with distinction” and lauded his expansion of the system into Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley.
“He has also helped foster a culture of kindness and compassion across the Keck community, particularly through our Care for the Caregiver program, which continues to grow and support the well-being of our healthcare colleagues,” Kim wrote.
In a LinkedIn post, Hanners referenced a book on leadership, “How Full is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies for Work and Life,” as he affirmatively looked back on his time with the medical system. As he summarized, the key concept is that positive experiences and support serve to fill each of our proverbial “buckets,” while the opposite will empty them.
To wit, Hanners said he leaves USC with “an overflowing bucket.”
“Through the actions of so many of you across our health system, I have seen that a single person has the power to change an entire environment by focusing on the strengths of those they interact with every day,” he wrote, adding, “Serving as your CEO has been the honor of a lifetime. I take with me memories of our accomplishments that have advanced the exceptional care we provide and helped both our patients and staff members face some of the worst challenges of their lives.”
Steven Shapiro, who is USC’s vice president for health affairs, will take over as chief executive in Hanners’ stead. Meltzer will continue as a faculty member in Keck School’s radiology department, while pharmacy school dean Vassilios Papadopoulos will serve as interim dean of the medical school.
