UM Capital Region Health Announces Interim President & CEO
Joseph L. Wright, MD, MPH, FAAP Appointed Interim Role to Lead Organization

By JANIA MATTHEWS
University of Maryland
Capital Region Health

CHEVERLY, Md. (June 28, 2019)—Joseph L. Wright, MD, MPH, FAAP has been appointed interim President & CEO of UM Capital Region Health (UM Capital), effective July 7.

Dr. Wright joined the organization in September 2018 as Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer and he will continue in his role in addition to his interim position.

“Dr. Wright will lead a strong executive team at UM Capital Region Health that will continue to drive positive change as we advance our efforts to meet the future healthcare needs of residents in Prince George’s County, and the surrounding region,” says UMMS Interim President and CEO, John W. Ashworth III. “Dr. Wright has already made a positive impact in many areas of the organization, including building a strong partnership with medical staff across the UM Capital system. I know the organization is in very capable hands as the search process gets underway.”

A consulting firm has been engaged to conduct a national search to identify candidates to permanently fill the role of President& CEO and a search committee, co-chaired by Ashworth and UM Capital Board Chair Judge Alexander Williams will lead the effort

“Change within any organization can be difficult, but Dr. Wright is well-positioned to take on this role,” says Judge Williams. “He is dedicated to the success of the organization and he’s been a pillar of the community, having lived in Prince George’s County most of his life.”

Prior to joining UM Capital, Dr. Wright served as Professor and Chairman of Pediatrics at the Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC.  He previously served as Senior Vice President within the Children's National Health System, where he provided strategic leadership for the organization’s advocacy mission, public policy positions and community partnership initiatives.

“The opportunity to lead UM Capital Region Health is an appointment that I do not take lightly,” says Dr. Wright. “My commitment to this organization and to this community extends far and wide. Prince George’s County is my home and as a clinical leader who is passionate about public health and serving patients with the best possible care, I am honored to serve as interim President and CEO.”

Currently, Dr. Wright holds academic appointments as a professor in the departments of Pediatrics and Health Policy and Management at the University of Maryland Schools of Medicine and Public Health, respectively.

Additional Comments from Community Leaders:

Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks: “We are excited that Dr. Wright has been named the interim President & CEO of UM Capital Region Health, because I know he will be a great partner in our efforts to provide high-quality healthcare to more Prince Georgians,” said Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.  “Dr. Wright is well-qualified for this role, and as a resident of Prince George’s for most of his life, understands the needs of our communities. I look forward to working with him and his team on a number of projects and initiatives, including the new UM Capital Region Medical Center in Largo that will provide the high-quality healthcare our residents want and deserve, while reducing some of the health disparities that exist in our County.” 

Prince George’s County Council, The Honorable Todd M. Turner, Chair, District 4:  “Access to quality health care, health promotion and disease prevention are priority concerns for the Prince George’s County Council, in its role as the Board of Health, and for the residents we represent.

The Board of Health extends it warmest congratulations to Joseph L. Wright, MD, MPH, upon his appointment as the Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the University of Maryland Capital Region Health (UM Capital).

Dr. Wright has established a longstanding record of service to County residents, and a productive working relationship with the Council, serving as consultant and liaison to the Board of Health from 2011 to 2018, after which he assumed the position of Chief Medical Officer for the UM Capital.

This successful partnership, and Dr. Wright’s experience and expertise as a physician, surgeon and hospital executive will be an invaluable resource to advance public health policies, improve Quality of Life for our residents, and continue Prince George’s County’s historic journey toward healthcare transformation.

We look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Wright in his new role, to address healthcare in Prince George’s County, and as we move closer to the exciting grand opening of the new University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center in 2021.”

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