Marschall S. Runge to retire from Michigan Medicine

Marschall S. Runge, executive vice president for medical affairs and chief executive officer of Michigan Medicine since March 2015 and dean of the Medical School since January 2016, will retire from these leadership roles following the conclusion of his contract June 30, 2025.

Runge, M.D., Ph.D., was the first individual in University of Michigan’s history to serve in all three leadership roles.

“Dr. Runge elevated the health system and the medical school in profound and lasting ways. He has been a visionary leader who is forward thinking, strategic and committed to academic and clinical excellence,” said President Santa J. Ono in a July 2 email to the campus community.

“He helped guide the health system through a number of challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, during which Michigan Medicine served as a statewide resource for the most critical patients. As he steps down, he most certainly leaves a legacy of strengthening our mission and building upon Michigan Medicine’s strong foundation.” 

Runge’s time at Michigan Medicine has been marked by philanthropic advancement, health system growth and a focus on community engagement and inclusivity. Under Runge’s leadership, the investments in research have resulted in the greatest growth in medical school research and space in its history.

“It has been an honor to work with, and on behalf of, our patients, faculty, staff, learners and supporters,” Runge said. “Our teams give their all, every day, to make Michigan Medicine the amazing institution it is.

“We have evolved as an increasingly high-functioning, coordinated, innovative and inclusive organization that is one of the most respected academic medical centers in the world. This would not have been possible without the concerted efforts of our entire community.”

Runge has managed the establishment of multiple centers and initiatives, including the Stanley and Judith Frankel Institute for Heart and Brain Health, Center for Global Health Equity, Precision Health Initiative and Frankel Innovation Initiative. He also oversaw the planning of the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion, the Brighton Center for Specialty Care, the West Ann Arbor Health Center, a new 50,000-foot Ypsilanti Health Center set to open this fall, and a new ambulatory specialty center to be built in Troy.

Under his leadership, philanthropic gifts more than doubled and the Medical School saw continual growth in National Institutes of Health grants so that today the school ranks 11th nationally in NIH funding. Medical School applications have increased substantially in the past decade, and the curriculum has advanced to include machine learning and AI with a goal of transforming how both are taught at Michigan Medicine and throughout the nation.

Michigan Medicine also experienced statewide growth during Runge’s tenure, with the addition of two health systems, U-M Health-West in Grand Rapids and U-M Health-Sparrow in the Lansing area. In addition, the system undertook numerous expansions in service, including a specialty pharmacy facility in Dexter.

Runge led initiatives focused on employee and faculty engagement, including the creation of a well-being office, planning for a $12 million childcare center for employees, the implementation of recharge rooms for clinical staff and enhanced wellness resources for medical students.

Following his retirement from his leadership roles, Runge will remain on the Medical School faculty as a professor.

Plans to engage with the university community and to identify future leadership will be announced in the coming weeks.

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