Several shifts have occurred recently in clinical management and administration of divisions within the Department of Medicine.
In late August, clinical associate director responsibilities by division were reassigned until a new associate director could be added. Monica Rodriguez joined the clinical administration team in that role on Nov. 6, announced Phetcharat “Pat” Chen, DOM administrator and senior director.
“Monica brings over 10 years of clinical management experience, having previously worked as a practice director at Arizona Community Surgeons,” Chen said. “We’re very excited to have her with us.”
Rodriguez will oversee clinical operations for the Division of Inpatient Medicine and the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, also known as PACCS. PACCS is led by Division Chief Sairam Parthasarathy, MD. Inpatient Medicine, under the leadership of Division Chief Tejo Vemulapalli, MD, also is referred to as Hospital Medicine and its faculty physicians as hospitalists.
Currently, Rodriguez is undergoing training in Hospital Medicine and PACCS Division management under the guidance of their prior clinical associate director Julio Valencia. Her training is expected to be completed by mid-December. Afterward, Valencia will switch his focus to the Division of Dermatology as it positions to spin off as its own department.
“We are grateful to Julio for his time and dedication in training and ensuring a smooth transition. After the training, he will shift his focus to operations of the Dermatology division,” Chen said.
“We also would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Clara Curiel-Lewandrowski (Dermatology division chief), Dr. Parthasarathy, Dr. Vemulapalli, and our colleagues at Banner – University Medicine Tucson for their support and patience during this transitional period.”
Chen offers the following additional update on other changes for those reaching out to associate directors:
Monique Murillo, previously clinical associate director over Dermatology, Infectious Diseases and Nephrology, is now responsible for the Division of Cardiology and Division of Infectious Diseases. From August until now, she was overseeing the Division of Nephrology as well.
Jason Toone, previously clinical associate director over the divisions of General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine (GGP); Endocrinology; Gastroenterology and Hepatology (GI); and Rheumatology, is now responsible for GGP and GI.
Irene Robles, previously clinical associate director over Cardiology, is now responsible for Endocrinology and Nephrology. Since late August, she also helped oversee Inpatient Medicine, which has been taken on now by Rodriquez.
Theresa Alcoverde, previously clinical associate director for the Division of Hematology and Oncology (Hem-Onc), now takes on the added role over the Division of Rheumatology as well. She also reports to Mike Frithsen, who is clinical senior director over Hem-Onc and the UArizona Cancer Center.
For clarity, here’s a breakdown by division of all current clinical associate directors:
- Division of Cardiology (MED-CARDO)| Monique Murillo
- Division of Dermatology (MED-DERM | Julio Valencia
- Division of Endocrinology (MED-ENDO) | Irene Robles
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (MED-GASTRO) | Jason Toone
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine (MED-GGP) | Jason Toone
- Division of Hematology and Oncology (MED-HEMONC) | Theresa Alcoverde
- Division of Infectious Diseases (MED-ID) | Monique Murillo
- Division of Inpatient Medicine (MED-HOSP) | Monica Rodriguez
- Division of Nephrology (MED-NEPH) | Irene Robles
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine (MED-PACCS)| Monica Rodriguez
- Division of Rheumatology (MED-RHE) | Theresa Alcoverde