University of Maryland Medical System Announces Election of New Board Chair

BALTIMORE (May 11, 2022) – The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) has named a new chairperson for the System's Board of Directors. R. Alan Butler was elected chairperson today in a vote by the System's Board of Directors at its regularly scheduled May board meeting.

Butler replaces Chip DiPaula, who stepped down from the Board in March. He was first appointed to the UMMS Board of Directors in 2014 and has served as chairperson of the Finance Committee since 2019. For the last two years, Butler has also served as a member of the Board of Directors at the University of Maryland Medical Center, the System's flagship academic hospital in downtown Baltimore.

"I am humbled and proud to lead our incredible board in its work supporting this amazing institution that is making a difference every day in improving the health and wellbeing of Marylanders," said Butler. "We have made great strides in the past several years helping to guide the System through challenging times as our team members have worked through an unprecedented pandemic. Today, I am pleased to be able to affirm that the future of UMMS as Maryland's health care provider of choice is bright."

"Alan has dedicated many years to UMMS and has been a tireless supporter and advocate for our team members, member organizations and for the System as a whole," said Mohan Suntha, President and Chief Executive Officer of UMMS. "His years of experience on the board, commitment to our mission and his depth of knowledge about our industry make Alan an outstanding choice as our new chairperson and I am eager to partner with him and the entire Board as we advance our priorities. I also offer my most sincere thanks to Alan and every member of our all-volunteer Board of Directors for their selfless dedication as we pursue our mission to provide high value and compassionate care, improve healthcare in Maryland and beyond, educate future health care leaders and discover innovative ways to advance medicine."

Butler is Chief Executive Officer of Erickson Senior Living, a national leader in developing and managing continuing care retirement communities. Erickson Senior Living is headquartered in Baltimore and manages 22 campus-style communities in Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. The company's communities are home to more than 28,000 residents and employ more than 14,000 people who share a commitment to service. Prior to becoming CEO of Erickson Senior Living in 2010, Butler spent 14 years as treasurer of Allegis Group, Inc., one of the largest talent management companies in the world. His diverse leadership career includes holding various credit and lending positions at Bank of America and its predecessor banks from 1986 to 1996. 

Elections for other UMMS Board of Directors officers (vice chair, secretary, treasurer, president) will take place at the Board's regularly scheduled meeting in June.

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is a university-based regional health care system focused on serving the health care needs of Maryland, bringing innovation, discovery and research to the care we provide and educating the state's future physician and health care professionals through our partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the UM Schools of Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work and Dentistry in Baltimore. As one of the largest private employers in the State, the health system's 28,000 employees and 4,000 affiliated physicians provide primary and specialty care in more than 150 locations and at 12 hospitals. UMMS' flagship academic campus, the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore is partnered with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and is recognized regionally and nationally for excellence and innovation in specialized care. Our acute care and specialty rehabilitation hospitals serve urban, suburban and rural communities and are located in 13 counties across the State. For more information, visit www.umms.org.