FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 10, 2008
Contact: Joan Shnipper (jshnipper@umm.edu) 410-328-6776
Ellen Beth Levitt (eblevitt@umm.edu) 410-328-8919
Stephen A. Burch has been elected chairman of the board of directors of the University of Maryland Medical System. Burch is one of the world’s top leaders in the field of cable TV, internet and telephone communications. He recently joined the medical system board and had previously served on the board in 2005.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to help lead this outstanding medical system, which provides top quality care for people throughout Maryland,” says Burch. “The University of Maryland Medical System is a treasured resource for the State of Maryland, and I look forward to working with the Board of Directors and Bob Chrencik (interim president and CEO), and other members of the medical system leadership team,” says Burch.
As a top communications leader, Burch served as president and CEO of Virgin Media, an $8 billion cable and cellular phone company that was created by the merger of Ntl, Telewest and Virgin Mobile. The company provides cable television service to 3.4 million customers, telephone service to 4 million customers and high speed Internet service to 3.6 million customers. In addition, under Burch’s direction, Virgin Media operated five cable television networks. Virgin Media serves households in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Burch is very familiar with Maryland—especially the Baltimore area. He was a top official of Comcast Cable Communications from 1990 to 2005. In his final seven years at Comcast, he was president of the Atlantic Division. In that capacity, he oversaw cable properties in a dozen states, including Maryland, and his division served nearly 4 million customers and generated $4 billion in revenue. Earlier in his career, Burch also was vice president and general manager of Comcast in Maryland, and he had the same title at Times Mirror in Phoenix, Arizona.
“Steve is a visionary leader with a strong business background in the service industry,” says Speaker of the House Michael E. Busch, who served as Interim President of the UMMS Board since August. “The State of Maryland is fortunate to have one of the best health care delivery systems in the country. I am confident that Steve will continue the positive progress of the University of Maryland Medical System and maintain its national reputation as a leader in health care.”
“We are indeed fortunate to have someone with Steve’s experience and excellent national reputation to lead our board,” adds Busch.
Burch received his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Maryland and a JD degree from Gonzaga University School of Law. He also received an Honors PhD in Humanities from Towson University. He is married and the father of four children.
Burch has served on a variety of boards, including the Baltimore County School Board, the Maryland Higher Education Commission, University of Maryland Law School, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Museum of Art and First Mariner Bank. Burch also served on the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Arthritis Center Board from 1992 to 1998.
The University of Maryland Medical System has grown to be the third largest employer in the Baltimore metropolitan area. It includes the University of Maryland Medical Center, Kernan Hospital, University Specialty Hospital, Maryland General Health Systems, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, Shore Health System (Memorial Hospital in Easton and Dorchester General in Cambridge), Chester River Hospital Center and Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, which is owned in partnership with Johns Hopkins.
The Medical System generates nearly $3.5 billion in economic activity in Maryland. It has 14,800 employees, more than 1,900 total licensed beds, 83,000 annual admissions and gross patient revenues of $2 billion.
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