E-mail pageFormer Medical Center Vice President is First Lady of the United States
Medical Center Leaders Join Obama Administration
University of Chicago Medical Center leadership and staff join in congratulating Michelle Obama on becoming First Lady of the United States of America. Obama previously held the post of vice president for community and external affairs at the University of Chicago Medical Center.
We're also proud that two former Medical Center leaders have joined the Obama administration. Valerie Jarrett, who previously served as chair of the Medical Center Board of Trustees, has accepted the position of senior advisor to President Obama and assistant to the president for intergovernmental relations and public liaison. Susan Sher has assumed the role as associate counsel to the president after serving as vice president for legal and governmental affairs and general counsel at the Medical Center.
Michelle Obama speaks at the Day of Service and Reflection, an annual event where Medical Center staff and their families volunteer alongside community residents at area schools, gardens, churches and community organizations.Michelle Obama
Since joining the Medical Center in 2002, Michelle Obama built up programs for community relations, neighborhood outreach, volunteer recruitment, staff diversity and minority contracting. "We are so very proud of Michelle personally, and we are very thankful for her professional accomplishments in creating and expanding the strategic vision for the Office of Community Affairs," said James Madara, MD, chief executive officer of the Medical Center.
- Michelle Obama resigns position at University of Chicago Medical Center
- Michelle Obama's Accomplishments at the University of Chicago and the University of Chicago Medical Center (PDF)
- Caring for Our Community: Community Service Outreach (PDF). Read an overview of some of UCMC's community service outreach programs and initiatives to increase business with minority and women-owned companies.
Valerie JarrettValerie Jarrett
"Valerie oversaw a period of unprecedented growth in facilities, fundraising, recruitment and administrative consolidation at the Medical Center," said Madara. "She brought enormous energy to the Medical Center Board. She knows how to get things done, and done quickly. Her experience in business and government gave her both the vision to make sure our plans extended far into the future, and the urgency to keep pushing toward our goals."
Susan SherSusan Sher
"We congratulate Susan Sher on her appointment as associate counsel to the president," said Madara. "We will miss her personally, as well as her extraordinary talents and considerable experience in health care policy and government, regulatory and community affairs. She has been an important part of the Medical Center and the University communities."
