Kates succeeds Riordan as Hospitals Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Kenneth Kates, the new Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the University Hospitals and Health System, succeeded Michael Riordan, who became President and CEO of the Hospitals Sunday, July 1. Kates’ appointment was effective Wednesday, July 18.

Kates, 46, has served the Hospitals since November 1988, most recently as Vice President and Director of the University Children’s Hospital.

Kates and his team have stewarded activities to improve programs and services. Pediatric patient activity has increased, new clinical programs have expanded and outreach initiatives have been implemented. At the same time, the “Kids First” program, the Family Advisory Board and the Kids Advisory Boards were initiated—three projects that have improved services for patients and their families.

Planning, schematic design and the design development process for the new $130 million University Comer Children’s Hospital also were completed under Kates’ direction. Construction of the new facility is scheduled to begin later this summer.

Before his role in the children’s hospital, Kates was Vice President for Physician Services and Executive Administrator for Surgery. In that role, Kates oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Hospitals’ surgical programs and worked closely with faculty and staff to support program growth and development.

Kates received a B.A. in Business Administration from the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science and an M.B.A. in Health Administration from Temple University. Before coming to the University Hospitals, he served in several administrative roles at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.