UCLA announced on April 19 that Dr. David L. Callender has accepted the position of associate vice chancellor of UCLA Hospital Systems and director of UCLA Medical Center. While his appointment will begin formally on July 1, Callender has already started his transition into this key leadership role.

Callender most recently served as executive vice president and chief operating officer at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

“We are excited that Dr. Callender has accepted the opportunity to take the helm of our hospital systems, and bring his passion for clinical excellence and dedication to health-care service to this demanding position,� said Dr. Gerald S. Levey, vice chancellor, UCLA Medical Sciences, and dean, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “I am confident he will bring great vision and leadership to UCLA — the same management style that allowed the clinical operations at MD Anderson to grow tremendously in size and quality during his tenure.�

Before assuming his former role as executive vice president and chief operating officer of MD Anderson, Callender held various positions of increasing responsibility at MD Anderson, including deputy chairman, department of head and neck surgery; vice president for clinical programs; and chief medical officer.

“The UCLA Medical Center is one of the finest in the nation, known for pioneering advancements in health care,� Callender said. “I am very excited about this opportunity to work with the many wonderful people who comprise the medical center, and will work diligently with them to ensure that our patients receive the most compassionate care based on the most current medical knowledge.�

Callender received his medical degree from the Baylor College of Medicine and his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Houston.