Penn Medicine News: Deb Staples Named Chief Operating Officer of Pennsylvania Hospital

(PHILADELPHIA) -- Deb Staples has been named Chief Operating Officer of Pennsylvania Hospital, effective immediately. Deb has been an integral member of the Pennsylvania Hospital leadership team, most recently as Vice President, Allied Health and Professional Services.

As Chief Operating Officer, Deb will be responsible for the daily operations of the hospital and its ambulatory facilities.

Over her 17 years at Pennsylvania Hospital, Deb has been a trusted and effective leader for the hospital on projects such as the successful transition and integration of the inpatient psychiatric unit from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) to Pennsylvania Hospital. She also played a key role in the introduction of the laborist model for obstetrical care and the development of the Pennsylvania Hospital outpatient radiology site at the Tuttleman Center on the campus of Penn Medicine Rittenhouse.

“I look forward to partnering with Deb as we develop and carry out our vision for the hospital together. I know that her leadership, talent and energy will lead us to great places,” said R. Michael Buckley, MD, Pennsylvania Hospital Executive Director, upon making the announcement.

Deb was previously Associate Vice President, Professional Services and also served as Executive Director of the Benjamin Franklin Clinic, a former affiliate of Pennsylvania Hospital.

She succeeds Ron Kumor, who departed in January after holding the position for the last four years.

The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top five medical schools in the United States for the past 17 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $392 million awarded in the 2013 fiscal year.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania -- recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report; Penn Presbyterian Medical Center; Chester County Hospital; Lancaster General Health; Penn Wissahickon Hospice; and Pennsylvania Hospital -- the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional affiliated inpatient care facilities and services throughout the Philadelphia region include Chestnut Hill Hospital and Good Shepherd Penn Partners, a partnership between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Penn Medicine.

Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2013, Penn Medicine provided $814 million to benefit our community.

About Pennsylvania Hospital
Pennsylvania Hospital -- the nation's first -- was founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond. Today, the 519-bed acute care facility offers a full-range of diagnostic and therapeutic medical services and is a major teaching and clinical research institution. The hospital has approximately 25,000 admissions each year, including approximately 5,000 births. With a national reputation in areas such as orthopaedics, cardiac care, vascular surgery, neurosurgery, otorhinolaryngology (ENT) and urology as well as obstetrics, high-risk maternal and fetal services, neonatology, and behavioral health, the campus also includes specialty treatment centers such as the Joan Karnell Cancer Center, the Center for Bloodless Medicine and Surgery, the PENN Neurological Institute and the radiosurgical Gamma Knife Center. Pennsylvania Hospital is part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System and is located in the historic Society Hill district of Philadelphia.