Longtime healthcare executive guided medical center through a period of growth, change
(SACRAMENTO)
William “Bill” McGowan, a longtime healthcare executive who served in senior leadership roles at UC Davis Health, including as acting chief executive officer of UC Davis Medical Center, passed away recently.
William McGowan served in senior leadership roles at UC Davis Health for more than a decade, including chief financial officer and acting chief executive officer of UC Davis Medical Center.
McGowan spent more than a decade helping guide the financial and operational direction of UC Davis Health during a period when the academic health system was expanding its clinical, research and education missions and building its reputation regionally and nationally.
“Bill was a trusted colleague, a remarkable leader and someone who cared deeply about UC Davis Health and its people,” Condrin said. “I’ll remember his steady judgment, generosity, integrity and wonderful sense of collegiality. His leadership strengthened our organization, and his many contributions will remain an important part of the UC Davis Health legacy.”
Expertise, leadership
McGowan joined UC Davis Health System in 1995 as assistant director of hospital and clinics and later became chief financial officer in 2000. In that role, McGowan oversaw an operating budget that encompassed the UC Davis School of Medicine and UC Davis Medical Center.
William McGowan was known for his leadership, financial expertise and commitment to advancing the mission of UC Davis Health.
In April 2006, he was named acting chief executive officer of the UC Davis Medical Center following the retirement of longtime CEO Robert Chason. He continued serving as chief financial officer while leading the medical center during the search for a permanent CEO.
At the time, then-Vice Chancellor and School of Medicine Dean Claire Pomeroy praised McGowan’s leadership, financial expertise and deep understanding of the organization.
“We’re fortunate to have Bill’s expertise and leadership to guide the medical center through this transitional period,” Pomeroy said when his appointment was announced.
McGowan assumed leadership of an academic medical center that at the time included a 577-bed hospital, a large regional network of outpatient clinics and more than 6,400 employees. The medical center was caring for approximately 33,000 hospitalized patients and handling some 900,000 outpatient visits annually.
Consistent improvements
Throughout his UC Davis career, McGowan was known for combining financial discipline with an understanding of the broader mission of an academic health system. During his tenure, UC Davis Health achieved consistent improvements in its overall financial performance while continuing to invest in patient care, education and research.
McGowan described that balance himself when he became acting CEO.
“This organization has achieved national recognition for many of its excellent programs, and I’m proud to be associated with each and every person here who contributes to that excellence,” he said. “Looking to the future, our challenge will be to find the balance required to maintain excellence in all areas of our mission, including clinical care, teaching, discovery and community engagement.”
That commitment reflected a career spent in health care administration and finance.
Patients, communities
McGowan’s leadership came during an important chapter in the evolution of UC Davis Health. The organization was expanding its clinical programs, strengthening its research enterprise and building national recognition in areas including cancer care, trauma and emergency medicine, telehealth and rural health.
He stepped down from UC Davis Health in 2011. Before joining UC Davis, McGowan served as regional vice president for Mercy Healthcare Sacramento. Earlier, he was chief financial officer at Mercy San Juan Hospital and vice president for administration and finance at Mercy General Hospital, both in the Sacramento region. He also served as chief financial officer for Natividad Medical Center in Monterey County.
His experience across public, nonprofit and academic healthcare gave McGowan a broad perspective on the challenges facing hospitals and health systems, particularly the need to balance financial stewardship with their responsibility to patients and communities.
A celebration of McGowan’s life is scheduled for 11:30 a.m., Oct. 9, at the East Lawn Cemetery, 4300 Folsom Blvd.
