Barrett to stay during search

Douglas J. Barrett, M.D., plans to stay on as senior vice president of health affairs at the University of Florida while the search for his successor is conducted. The announcement was made by UF President Bernie Machen at a board of trustees meeting June 13.

Barrett had been scheduled to step down June 30 and return to full-time service as a pediatrics faculty member in the College of Medicine. Machen asked Barrett to delay his plans until the search for a new senior vice president is completed or until June 30, 2009, whichever comes first.

Barrett said the change in plans is primarily due to the recent transition to interim leadership in the UF College of Medicine and related issues within the Health Science Center.

In addition to supporting interim medical dean Mike Good, Barrett is focused on advancing the recently announced partnership with the Moffitt Cancer Center and assisting Machen with adjustments to the respective roles of the university provost and the senior vice president for health affairs.

Barrett, who has held his current position for six years, announced his intention to resign March 14.