CEO for El Paso Children's
Hospital is named
By Diana Washington Valdez \ El Paso Times
Posted: 06/08/2010 12:00:00 AM MDT
EL PASO -- The El Paso Children's Hospital has its first chief executive officer.
University Medical Center on Monday introduced Lawrence G. Duncan, 45, of Milwaukee as the budding
pediatric hospital's top executive.
"I am honored to be selected to help lead El Paso Children's Hospital," he said.
Duncan said he wanted to continue the work started by the hospital board, University Medical Center's
board, Texas Tech, and El Paso's pediatricians and specialists
Sam Legate, chairman of the children's hospital board, said Duncan was hired after a four-month national
search that attracted 16 applicants. Duncan will receive a yearly salary of $300,000 and begin work July
1.
"Larry Duncan is a proven leader with an impressive track record, and we know his experience at two of
America's top-rated pediatric hospitals will serve this community well," Legate said.
Duncan is vice president of regional services for Children's Hospital and Health System in Milwaukee,
where he is responsible for two hospitals. Before that, he was director of specialty care at Children's
Hospital of Philadelphia.
Dr. Jagdish Patel, who represented pediatricians in private practice, and Myrna Deckert, president and
CEO of the Paso Del Norte Health Foundation, served on the search committee.
Duncan said he planned to get acquainted with community leaders and continue recruiting staff for the
children's hospital.
"I'm here to work in collaboration with others in the community," Duncan said. "A CEO does not create a
children's hospital by himself.
"My first order of business will be the recruitment of doctors with pediatric sub-specialties. We want this
children's hospital to be a destination of choice."
The $120 million, 148-bed hospital is to be completed in the spring of 2012.
Measuring 225,471 square feet, the hospital will house a 50-bed neonatal intensive care unit, a 22-bed
pediatric intensive care unit and a 24-bed hematology/oncology unit. It will have two floors of private
rooms for general acute-care pediatrics.
Moreover, the hospital will have a pediatric emergency department, surgical suites, imaging services, a
respiratory care department, and pharmacy and rehabilitation services.
Dr. Andres Enriquez, a family practitioner and president of the El Paso County Medical Society, said
Duncan's hiring is a sign of progress for the El Paso Children's Hospital.
"It shows the UMC and its leadership are out actively trying to find the best person and the best fit for El
Paso," Enriquez said. "Hopefully, it's also the best fit for Hispanics in the community.
"With UMC, Texas Tech and the medical school all here, we will be seeing pediatric residencies and more
pediatric specialists serving El Paso. Once the hospital is finished, we will be competing with children's
hospitals in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. People won't have to leave town to get the care they need
for their children."
Duncan graduated from the University of Norte Dame with a bachelor of science degree in preprofessional studies and anthropology, and received a master's degree in health systems management
from Rush University in Chicago, according to UMC officials.
He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the National Association of Children's
Hospitals and Related Institutions, and the Medical Group Management Association.
A native of Bay City, Mich., he is married to Dawn Duncan and has two children.
Diana Washington Valdez may be reached at dvaldez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6140.
http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_15248247