Oncologist named CEO of Mayo Clinic's campus in Florida

Friday, November 14, 2008

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A medical oncologist and leader in Mayo Clinic's network of health care facilities in the upper Midwest has been named chief executive officer (CEO) of Mayo Clinic's campus in Jacksonville, Fla. William C. Rupp, M.D., has been appointed CEO for the Florida campus effective Nov. 21, Mayo Clinic announced today. Rupp currently leads quality projects for Luther Midelfort, part of Mayo Health System, as well as Mayo Clinic.

"Dr. Rupp is a physician-leader who brings to this important role a combination of health care knowledge, operational excellence and an understanding of how health care issues impact patient care," said Mayo Clinic President and CEO Denis A. Cortese, M.D. "He has a reputation for forging strong community ties and collaborating closely with physicians regionally."

Rupp served two terms as chief executive officer within Mayo Health System – at Luther Midelfort in Eau Claire, Wisc., and at Immanuel St. Joseph's in Mankato, Minn. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Rupp is a former practicing medical oncologist. Mayo Health System is a family of clinics, hospitals and health care facilities serving 70 communities in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.

"It's an honor to be selected to serve as the next CEO at Mayo Clinic's campus in Florida," said Rupp. "As our nation faces significant challenges in health care, it is essential that we keep the needs of our patients at the forefront. I look forward to building on Mayo's strengths of patient care, research and education with the staff in Florida and our colleagues across Mayo. I am also very eager to learn more about our Jacksonville community and the Northeast Florida region."

Rupp served on numerous community boards including the Greater Mankato Economic Development Corporation and leadership positions with United Way of Greater Eau Claire and the United Way of Greater Mankato. He was a staff sergeant in the U. S. Army from 1968-1971.

Rupp earned an undergraduate degree in economics from Dartmouth College in Hannover, N.H.; a medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis and completed a fellowship in medical oncology at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. He is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology.

Rupp succeeds George Bartley, M.D., who has served as chief executive officer at the Florida campus since 2002. During Bartley's six years as CEO, he led Mayo Clinic to numerous achievements, including the construction of a new 214-bed hospital supported by $100 million in gifts from benefactors and the doubling of extramural funding for research programs. Bartley will resume his surgical practice at Mayo Clinic. "George is a renowned scholar, educator and surgeon," Cortese said. "He has served and will continue to serve outstandingly as a leader and physician at Mayo Clinic."

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