Dr. Crystal Cené, UNC Health’s System Executive Director for Health Equity, has accepted a new role at the University of California San Diego Health System. Read a memo from Dr. Audrea Caesar, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer with more details.
Dear Colleagues,
Today I have bittersweet news to share as Dr. Crystal Cené has accepted a new role at the University of California San Diego Health System, where she will serve as Chief Administrative Officer for Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. She will also serve as Associate Chief Medical Officer for Health Equity and will hold a faculty appointment in the division of general internal medicine.
I want to wish Crystal well in her new role in San Diego and celebrate the many contributions that she has made to UNC Health and the UNC School of Medicine, where she has been a faculty member for the past 13 years.
Since July of 2020, Crystal has served as UNC Health’s System Executive Director for Health Equity. In addition to developing a vision and 5-year strategic plan for health equity at UNC Health, her leadership and innovative vision were instrumental in our efforts to promote greater equity in COVID-19 vaccinations, a true source of pride for UNC Health and the UNC School of Medicine. Crystal served on the NC Department of Health and Human Services’ COVID Vaccine Advisory Steering Committee and was the driving force behind UNC Health recently joining the HealthCare Anchor Network. The Health Equity team have established several key working groups such as the Health Equity Analytics, Care of Spanish Speaking Patients (CSSP), and the Social Determinants of Health to bring together key partners across the UNC Health and the School of Medicine.
In the coming weeks, we will begin a search for a new leader to fill the role of System Executive Director for Health Equity. Until a replacement is named, this essential work will continue under my leadership as Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. Promoting greater health equity in our state is a top priority for me personally and for our entire UNC Health System. I look forward to building on the excellent foundation laid by Dr. Cené and her team to engaging each member of our One Great Team as we strive to meet our mission to improve the health and well-being of all people in North Carolina.
Sincerely,
Audrea Caesar, PhD
Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
UNC Health