Originally Released: November 27, 2000
Contact: Ellen Beth Levitt, eblevitt@umm.edu, 410-328-8919
Barbara Crawford, bcrawfor@umm.edu, 410-328-8919

GOVERNOR'S HEALTH POLICY ADVISOR WILL JOIN THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL SYSTEM AS A SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

Donna L. Jacobs, Esq., deputy chief of staff and chief health policy advisor to Governor Parris N. Glendening, has been appointed senior vice president for government and regulatory affairs at the University of Maryland Medical System, effective January 23.

"Donna has extensive experience in federal and state health care regulation and public policy issues, which is very important for the success of large regional health care providers in today's complex regulatory environment," says University of Maryland Medical System President and Chief Executive Officer Morton I. Rapoport, M.D. "We are delighted that Donna will join our team," says Dr. Rapoport.

"Ms. Jacobs has been a trusted and highly effective advisor on many important public policy issues vital to the health of the people of Maryland and our environment," says Governor Parris N. Glendening. "Her intelligence, dedication and sense of compassion are unparalleled. While our administration is losing the skills of a valued colleague, it is reassuring to know that Marylanders will continue to benefit from her talents through her work with the University of Maryland Medical System."

Jacobs has been deputy chief of staff to Governor Glendening since June 1996. She has advised the Governor on important health care policy issues, including the Cancer and Tobacco Control initiatives and the Maryland Children's Health Program. Jacobs also has been responsible for the oversight of the Departments of Health and Mental Hygiene, Human Resources, Environment, Natural Resources, Housing and Community Development, the Insurance Administration and the Governor's Office for Individuals with Disabilities.

In her newly created role at the University of Maryland Medical System, Jacobs will take the lead in a variety of areas, including Medicaid and other reimbursement issues. She will also work on developing corporate strategies related to women's and children's health programs and mental health services.

"The public sector exerts tremendous influence on how we operate, ranging from issues of Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement to hospital legislation and regulation. Donna's extensive experience in these issues will help us to navigate more successfully in the future and remain an outstanding organization for our patients, staff and physicians," says Dr. Rapoport.

A graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut and the Georgetown University Law Center, Jacobs began her career practicing law at Semmes, Bowen & Semmes in Baltimore, where she worked her way up to becoming a partner. Jacobs later joined the firm of Weinberg and Green, LLC.

Her legal practice focused on civil litigation with an emphasis on insurance-related matters, including health regulatory, life and property-casualty insurance. She also had an administrative law practice and managed the firm's employment-based immigration law group.

Jacobs has held various leadership roles with civic, community and professional organizations, including president of the Alliance of Black Women Attorneys, commissioner on the Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission, chair of the advisory board of the Baltimore City Child Care Resource Center and a member of the board of the House of Ruth. She also was a participant in the Greater Baltimore Committee Leadership Program and a subsequent member of its board.

The University of Maryland Medical System is a private, not for profit regional health care delivery system with more than 9,000 employees. It includes the University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore, as well as Kernan Hospital, Deaton Specialty Hospital, North Arundel Hospital, Mt. Washington Hospital, and Maryland General Hospital. The Medical System also has a network of primary and specialty care outpatient sites throughout Central Maryland. The Medical System is a national and regional referral center for trauma, cancer care, organ transplants, neurocare, cardiac care, women's and children's health care and physical rehabilitation.

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This page was last updated on: September 8, 2006.