Trustees OK new hospital head, College of Dentistry dean

Avijit Ghosh is the new CEO for the University of Illinois Hospital, effective Aug. 16. Photo: Chris Brown

University trustees approved administrative appointments and construction projects Thursday during the board’s regular meeting at Student Center East.

Trustees appointed Avijit Ghosh as chief executive officer of the University of Illinois Hospital and associate vice president for hospital operations, effective Aug. 16.

Ghosh, senior adviser to U of I President Robert Easter, helped lead a recent review of the university’s health care enterprise.

In March, the board approved a reorganization plan that aligns the hospital, clinics and seven health science colleges under one campus leadership structure.

Ghosh was vice president for technology and economic development from 2008 to 2011, after serving as dean of the UIUC College of Business from 2001 to 2008.

“I’m truly humbled and grateful for this opportunity,” Ghosh told trustees.

Clark Stanford is the new dean of the College of Dentistry.

The board approved Clark Stanford’s appointment as dean of the College of Dentistry, effective Oct. 1.

Stanford is associate dean for research and professor of prosthodontics at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, where he has worked since 1992.

He succeeds Bruce Graham, who returns to the faculty after 13 years as dean. G. William Knight, executive associate dean, has been interim dean since January.

At the board meeting, trustees awarded a $2.5 million contract to Chicago Commercial Construction to begin a $3.9 million project to replace grass on the soccer and softball fields with a synthetic surface. Work begins this fall and is scheduled to be completed in spring.