Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Transition

It is with great pride that I announce that Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Dr. Steve Goldstein has been selected as the next president of the University of New Mexico. He will assume his new responsibilities on July 15.

Dr. Goldstein joined UC Irvine in 2019 with more than 30 years of experience in health sciences research, medical education, higher education administration and hospital management at some of our nation’s leading research universities. During his tenure, he has overseen the continued growth and transformation of UC Irvine Health Affairs, including the development of the Susan & Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences through the establishment of two new schools – the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health – and the construction of new buildings for research, teaching and clinical care, including the Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building, expanding the Health Affairs footprint by 3.8 million square feet. He also provided strategic leadership for UCI Health, which has grown into a regional academic health system that includes UCI Health — Orange and the new UCI Health — Irvine medical campus, four community hospitals, and an expanded network of affiliated healthcare offices across Orange County comprising 90 locations and approximately 1,460 inpatient beds. Under his leadership, UC Irvine’s academic health enterprise has significantly expanded its impact across the region, achieving 206 percent growth in annual revenue, a 70 percent increase in grant funding, and more than $1 billion in philanthropic support.

Dr. Goldstein joins a campus that is a vital educational, economic and cultural resource for the entire Southwest. The University of New Mexico is a public research university in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with branch campuses in Gallup, Los Alamos, Taos, and Valencia. Founded in 1889, it is the state's flagship university and only academic health system. The largest by enrollment, with nearly 27,000 students, UNM comprises twelve colleges and schools, including a medical school and the only law school in New Mexico. It is classified as R1 for its very high research activity and as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, with nearly half its students being Hispanic.

Dr. Goldstein is an incredibly accomplished physician and scientist, and a proven academic leader who has served at the highest echelons of university administration. His wise counsel, innovative planning and steady hand have made a profound impact at UC Irvine and enabled the Anteater community to reach new heights in health sciences teaching, research and public service. He takes with him our congratulations and best wishes, and he leaves an enduring legacy of discovery, teaching and healing.

Chancellor Howard Gillman