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Roper Leaving UNC Health Care, Medical School Next Year

William L. Roper

Under the leadership of Dr. William L. Roper, UNC Health Care has expanded into a statewide system with nearly $5 billion in annual revenues. (UNC photo)

Dr. William L. Roper plans to step down in May 2019 as CEO of UNC Health Care and dean of the School of Medicine, positions he has held since 2004.

Roper came to Carolina in 1997, when he was named dean of the School of Public Health.

Under his leadership, UNC Health Care has expanded into a statewide system with more than a dozen hospitals, over 30,000 employees and nearly $5 billion in annual revenues.

At the medical school, total research funding has increased more than 50 percent since 2004, reaching $441 million last year and making it one of the preeminent medical research programs in the country. Roper has spearheaded efforts to expand UNC’s medical research footprint across the state, cultivating relationships with other medical leaders and opening doors for medical students to train in Asheville, Charlotte and Wilmington.

Today, the medical school trains more than 2,400 inter-professional health care providers and medical students a year.

“Dr. Roper has championed a broad range of innovative teaching, treatment and patient-care initiatives that have expanded and rippled across our state to provide patients with quality, accessible and affordable health care,” said Chancellor Carol L. Folt. “Bill has provided a remarkable record of leadership, always with the people of North Carolina in his heart and on his mind.”

“It has been a high honor to serve with so many talented and committed people,” Roper said. “I know that our team is well equipped to continue taking on the challenges of a rapidly evolving medical and health care landscape. Our mission, our patients and our providers are in good hands.”

Roper, who turns 70 this summer, plans to step down on May 15, 2019. The University and UNC Health Care soon will begin a national search for his successor.


 

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