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After 35 years of service as the Vice Chair for Administration in the Department of Family Medicine, Ron Lingley, MSPH, will retire in July 2021.


After 35 years of service as the Vice Chair for Administration in the Department of Family Medicine, Ron Lingley, MSPH, will retire in July 2021.

In 1985, Lingley earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the UNC Health School of Public Health and shortly after, was appointed as the Vice Chair of Administration for the Department of Family Medicine.

Lingley’s list of accomplishments in the Department of Family Medicine is vast. He worked on integrating the Department and faculty from a variety of Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) around the State.  He taught medical students and residents the topic of understanding medical practice and the business of medicine, and was also involved with developing practices in the community and innovative care models. Additionally, he was heavily involved with the expansion of the Department of Family Medicine’s clinical services and contributed to building what is now known as UNC PN.

“Ron will leave behind a rich legacy as an ACA and colleague. He has contributed to the growth of primary care to underserved populations and provided infrastructure for financially responsible growth. Additionally, he is revered as a leader by his peers and is often a go-to person for those with questions. We are appreciative of his 35 years of leadership and many contributions to the Department of Family Medicine, our School, and our community.  We will miss him dearly, but also wish him the best as he embarks on the next chapter in his life,” said Karlina Matthews, Associate Dean of Administration.

In the coming months leading up to retirement, Lingley plans to focus on working with Margaret Helton, MD, newly appointed Chair of the Department of Family Medicine, and other colleagues to help move the Department in its next phase of development.

Lingley says he will miss the people and the mission, but looking ahead, acknowledges a couple items on his personal to-do list, which includes spending a few months following retirement to “get life in order” and traveling.

A search committee comprised of Department representatives, leaders from the School of Medicine’s Dean’s Office and Faculty Physician representatives will form to search for the next Vice Chair for Administration for the Department of Family Medicine.

Lingley’s last day will be July 31, 2021.