R. Philip Eaton, MD, Executive Vice President for Health Sciences at the University of New Mexico, will retire on July 1. Eaton has served as the vice president of the UNM Health Sciences Center, which includes the School of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, College of Nursing and UNM Hospitals, for seven years.
After July 1, Eaton will continue his role as executive vice president on a part time basis while UNM conducts a national search for his replacement.
“I am extremely committed to the HSC and have a deep desire to follow through on some of the projects I have initiated,” he said.
Eaton is a nationally recognized researcher in endocrinology, with particular interest in diabetes. His prolific career includes numerous sponsored research projects--among them a collaboration with Sandia National Labs, which led to the invention and patent of the first implantable, programmable insulin pump and ongoing development of the glucose sensor. Eaton's breakthrough research has significantly improved the care and treatment of people with diabetes.
“I have been a faculty member here for 37 wonderful years,” said Eaton. “Serving as vice president of this extraordinary institution has been the most professionally fulfilling years of my career.” But, Eaton said, he has reached a point in his life where his family—including five grandchildren—and other interests are increasingly important for him to pursue.
In 1999, Eaton became the Vice President for Health Sciences at UNM. It has been in this role that he has demonstrated his extraordinary leadership capabilities. He has led the HSC through a period of tremendous growth with an increase in annual operating budget from $497.6 million in FY99 to $822.7 million in FY06, and an increase in research grants and contracts from $70 million in 1999 to $107 million in 2005.
During Eaton's tenure, the HSC has assumed a leadership role in developing a biomedical/biotechnological industry in the state in an effort to create economic development and employment opportunities for New Mexico. He has also focused his efforts toward building a world-class research program at the HSC and commercializing the intellectual property of its faculty.
With a vision of a campus that will support and encourage the creativity of teaching, learning and healing, Eaton's most enduring legacy may be the significant physical transformation of the HSC campus. During his vice presidency, six new facilities have been added to the HSC campus, with several others underway.
“The Health Sciences Center wouldn't be where it is today without Dr. Eaton's initiative,” said UNM Regents President Jamie Koch. “He has an extraordinary rapport with the legislature – is always a gentleman but always tells them what they need to hear. I'm glad he will stay on at least part-time, because he will be difficult to replace.”
“It has been an immense pleasure to work closely with Phil and we are delighted that he will stay on through the national search,” said UNM President Louis Caldera. “He will continue to play an integral role in some of the major construction projects on the HSC campus, including phase 2 of the UNM Cancer Research and Treatment Center and the Barbara and Bill Richardson Pavilion at UNM Hospital, as well the commercialization of intellectual property, the HSC Clinical Enterprise and the UNM Sculpture Garden of Healing.”
To ensure smooth operations during this transition, Paul Roth, Dean, UNM School of Medicine, Steve McKernan, CEO of UNM Hospitals, and Paul Kirk, Associate Vice President for Clinical Integration will work with Eaton on clinical activities, while John Pieper, Dean, UNM College of Pharmacy, will assume an additional interim role as deputy vice president for non-clinical activities.
“I am very proud of the work the HSC's faculty, staff and students have accomplished during my tenure,” he said. “I look forward to continuing my leadership during this transition and remaining an active member of the HSC community well into the future.”
Accomplishments of R. Philip Eaton, MD — 37 Years of Service to the People of New Mexico
R. Philip Eaton joined the faculty at the UNM Health Sciences Center in 1968. Over the past 37 years, he has had an enormous impact on the HSC, UNM and the state of New Mexico.
As a faculty member
~ Eaton became the first Chief of the Division of Endocrinology in 1968 and was the director until 1999.
~ In 1976, Eaton wrote the first NIH grant for the establishment of the General Clinical Research Center, which has been operating now for 29 years. He was the director of the GCRC for 9 years.
~ In 1979, Eaton was the Annual Research Lecturer of the University of New Mexico Faculty
~ In 1981, Eaton received the UNM Regents Meritorious Service Medal
~ In 1990, Eaton received a patent for the “Implanted Insulin Pump” which he developed in collaboration with scientists from Sandia National Laboratories and UNM, and first Human Implantation of the Bionic Pancreas.
Eaton was selected as the UNM School of Medicine's first Associate Dean for Research in 1996.
In a leadership role
In 1999, Eaton became the Vice President for Health Sciences at UNM. It has been in this role that Eaton has demonstrated his extraordinary leadership capabilities—
• Under Eaton's leadership, a strategic management model— which became the HSC's strategic planning blueprint—was developed. This 20-year strategic vision emphasized the HSC's dedication to programs and the future by identifying the four mission areas of education, patient care, research and partnerships. Eaton's focus on transforming the “HSC experience” for students, staff, faculty, patients and partners has been a key element in the HSC's strategic direction.
• Eaton has led the HSC through a period of tremendous growth—
~ Increase in annual operating budget from $497.6 million in FY99 to $822.7 million in FY06.
~ Increase in research grants and contracts from $70 million in 1999 to $107 million in 2005.
• During Eaton's tenure, the HSC has assumed a leadership role in developing a biomedical/biotechnological industry in the state in an effort to create economic development and employment opportunities for New Mexico.
• Eaton's personal commitment to a diverse workplace has been evident throughout his tenure as Vice President for Health Sciences. His support of diversity initiatives such as the HSC STAR Council and the Pathways to Success staff mentorship program have had a significant impact on the recruitment and retention of Hispanic, Asian, African American and Indian staff and faculty.
• Eaton's commitment to developing local, regional, and national partnerships has enabled the HSC to fulfill its mission and address New Mexico's important questions in health care through education, patient care and research—
~ Built an extremely positive and beneficial relationship with state and federal legislators, resulting in extraordinary support and funding
~ Established and maintained strong partnerships with other health care facilities across the state to enhance the level of care for all New Mexicans
~ Developed important collaborations with other research and academic institutions around the country
• Eaton has led the HSC in its efforts to build a world-class research program and commercialize the intellectual property of its faculty—
~ Served as a member of the board for the Science and Technology Corporation at UNM
~ Established MedCommNet to facilitate and promote collaboration between scientists at the HSC and the biomedical industry
~ Created the UNM HSC Biomedical Corridor
~ Served on the Board of the MIND Instittute
• Eaton has been a champion of improving communication at the HSC. As Vice President for Health Sciences, Eaton guided the development of a comprehensive communication effort to solidify the HSC's culture and instill confidence in the future. Eaton's efforts include a variety of communication tools—
~ Alliances magazine, an award winning annual publication
~ HSCTV Network, a monthly in-house video program (launched 6/2005)
~ Research for the 21 st Century, a biennial brochure on HSC research
~ Education and Patient Care for the 21 st Century, a biennial brochure
~ HSC Twenty-Year Vision, an annual publication that outlines the HSC's strategic operational goals
~ From the Desk of the VP, a direct communication to the HSC community sent via email 8-12 times per year.
~ HSC CommuniTIES, a regionally-focused, annual newsletter mailed to community and civic leaders around the state
~ HSC Web Page, which receives more than 15 million hits every year
• The physical appearance of the HSC has undergone a significant transformation under Eaton's leadership. With a vision of a campus that will support and encourage the creativity of teaching, learning and healing, Eaton has driven this transformation—
~ Sculpture Garden of Healing (Initiated 2003)
~ Memorial Garden Walk (Initiated 2005)
~ Cancer Research Building (Completed in 1999)
~ Outpatient Surgery and Imaging Services (Completed 2003)
~ Research Incubator Building (Completed 2004)
~ Pete and Nancy Domenici Hall, Neurosciences Building, (Completed 2005)
~ UNMH Barbara and Bill Richardson Pavilion (Groundbreaking 2005)
~ UNM Health Education Building (Groundbreaking 2005)
• In an effort to establish long-term fiscal stability while providing access to health care for all New Mexicans, Eaton guided the creation of the HSC Clinical Enterprise—
• Create a stable financial environment that will support planned growth, such as the expansion of UNM Hospital and will also allow the School of Medicine to grow and develop its programs to support the expanded clinical capacity, while simultaneously enhancing its strengths in education and research to enable higher levels of patient care and doctor and hospital staff satisfaction.
~ Change the HSC's administrative structure to include Associate Vice President for Clinical Integration (Dr. Paul Kirk)
• Identify and leverage the strengths of key “signature programs” in teaching, research, patient care and partnership—
~ Cancer Research and Treatment with NCI designation as Comprehensive Cancer Center
~ Infectious disease and biodefense
~ Neurosciences program, emanating from the hub of Domenici Hall. Emphasis on stroke, schizophrenia, autism, traumatic brain injury and depression diagnosis, treatment, training and research.
~ Cyclotron-based nuclear pharmacy program
~ Telemedicine, and its evolution into a health care delivery model via Hepatitis C Network and Project ECHO.
~ “Infotechnica” initiative at the HSC Library and Informatics Center to establish a full-service academic medical library.
~ BA/MD Combined Degree Program to provide health education opportunities to students from medically underserved areas and to encourage health care professions in students who lack role models and encouragement.