Dear Colleagues,
It is with genuine sadness, offset by the wonderful leaders who will be stepping in, that I share the news that Audrey Vincent, our Executive Director, will be stepping down from her position to start her retirement journey. Over the past 3.5 years, Audrey has led the administrative staff with remarkable dedication and success, and now, she will transition into a new part-time consulting role within our department, starting in January 2024.
With more than 17 years of committed service to our department, Audrey has held various pivotal positions, including Director of Billing, Business Director for the ICUs, and currently, the Executive Director for the WUDA. She stepped courageously into this central departmental role when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak. She has been a transformational leader and has been a major protagonist in all of WUDA’s key strategic initiatives.
As we embark on this transition, I’d like to recognize the significance of Audrey’s ongoing support and leadership, especially in spearheading our service agreement negotiations, and in ensuring a seamless transfer of executive responsibilities.
Please join me in extending our warmest wishes to Audrey as she ventures into her new role; may she continue to achieve remarkable success in all her future endeavors.
On a related note, I am delighted to announce that, following a national search and a rigorous interview process, Anne DeSchryver and Corrin Noel will be appointed as Co-Executive Directors for the department. They will take up their Co-Executive Director roles formally on January 1, 2024. During the transition period this year, they are working intimately with Audrey Vincent to bolster their already substantial skills and knowledge, and we are looking forward to a seamless transition. The decision to introduce this new structure to our leadership team comes at a time when the position faces increasing complexities and demanding projects, making it an opportune moment for such a change. I am truly excited about the multitude of benefits that will arise from their collaboration, including complementary skills, cross-training opportunities, and enhanced strategic thinking.
With over a decade of exemplary service in the research divisions as the Director of Research Business Operations, Anne has played a pivotal role in the extraordinary success of our research programs. During Anne’s tenure, research funding has more than tripled, and WUDA’s scientific footprint has expanded substantially. Anne will bring a wealth of research knowledge, exceptional team management abilities, and the knack for fostering a positive culture to the new Co-Executive Director role. Additionally, her expertise in financial matters stemming from an extensive research structure will prove invaluable. Anne demonstrably has all the requisite abilities to be an exceptional Executive Director, and to perform at the highest level across all the complex tasks associated with the position. Based on her specific experiences within WUDA, Anne will provide overarching executive oversight to the research divisions, marketing and communications, education division, INQUIRI+ division, PDDEI and Wellness, and our IT group.
With a 12-year history of key financial leadership roles across WUDA, Corrin has developed an astute acumen for business management and strategic planning. In her most recent role as Director of Finance, Corrin has helped shepherd WUDA through exceptionally difficult times.
Corrin has been a major contributor to the successes of various teams within WUDA. The areas to which she has made foundational contributions have included departmental quarterly and year-end financial reports, accounts payable, and budget entries into Workday. Corrin has also provided oversight and guidance to the billing group over the past several years. She will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the new Co-Executive Director role. Corrin demonstrably has all the requisite abilities to be an exceptional Executive Director, and to perform at the highest level across all the complex tasks associated with the position. Based on her specific experiences within WUDA, Corrin will provide overarching executive oversight to the finance group, billing, clinical operations, reporting, and the various clinical divisions.
Please join me in extending our warmest congratulations to Anne and Corrin as they step into their new roles. I am confident that they will co-lead effectively and efficiently as Executive Directors, and they will increasingly provide strategic direction across all areas of WUDA, enhancing our successes in our four core missions.
Kind regards,
Michael
Michael S. Avidan, MBBCh, FCASA
Dr. Seymour and Rose T. Brown Professor of Anesthesiology
Head of the Department of Anesthesiology
Anesthesiologist-in-Chief, Barnes-Jewish Hospital