Des Moines Sun

Suresh Gunasekaran will be leaving the University of Iowa to take a new position. As a part of a rich medical career full of diverse experience, Gunasekaran is best known for his advocacy for the benefits of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years. 

He is leaving in favor of the top post at University of California San Francisco Health, according to a University of Iowa website.

“I am incredibly proud of what the team achieved during my years here at Iowa and that this strong hospital leadership team will continue to be successful,” Gunasekaran said.

He is additionally the associate vice president for University of Iowa Health Care. He’s been a spokesperson for the University and has promoted coronavirus prevention measures on many occasions. Part of Gunasekaran's job description was to supervise the operational, strategic and financial performance for the University of Iowa's hospitals and clinics. Much of his focus in that role is on on clinical success, collaboration and innovation, quality and safety, and excellent service.

He also collaborated closely with University of Iowa Health Care to promote the group's three main goals of biomedical research, medical education and training and patient care. Gunasekaran has greater than 20 years of experience in health care and has worked at the University of Iowa for four years. Previous posts for Gunasekaran include being the chief operations officer for the University of Texas Southwestern Health System in Dallas, Texas, and serving as the administrative director in outpatient clinical operations at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. 

Gunasekaran graduated from Southern Methodist University. He was widely praised for his leadership of the hospital during a trying period over the past two years. Gunasekaran also advocated for many policies that helped patients, such as free parking for UIHC patients. He also supported various academic initiatives to raise awareness. 

He will remain at Iowa through the end of February.