University Hospital President to Leave Post for Penn State Job

Robin Wittenstein, the acting president and chief executive officer of University Hospital in Newark, is resigning to take a job at Penn State Hershey Health System in Hershey, Pa., hospital officials confirmed with Patch Wednesday morning.

Wittenstein, a Penn State University alumna, will take the helm as director and chief operating officer (COO) of the Hershey Health System starting Aug. 15. She will oversee more than a dozen clinical and academic affiliate hospitals across central Pennsylvania, as well as the health system's interests in Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute (PPI), Penn State Hershey Rehabilitation Hospital, Hershey Outpatient Surgical Center and the Hershey Endoscopy Center.

"Dr. Wittenstein brings a wealth of strategic and operational health care experience to Penn State Hershey Health System," said Harold L. Paz, M.D., Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center chief executive officer, in a statement. "Her broad knowledge of academic medicine, including the vital missions of research, education and outreach, will help Penn State Hershey develop transformative partnerships with hospitals and health care providers throughout the region and enhance our ability to serve the health needs of central Pennsylvania citizens."

Wittenstein has been with the Newark hospital since 2007 and will leave at the end of July, according to hospital spokesman Jeffrey Tolvin.

Wittenstein has been responsible for strategic planning, financial management, physician relations, service line leadership and overall hospital operations, according to the hospital's website.

Her biography states she "has more than 25 years experience in the health care industry, working in institutions that include small religious hospitals, large not-for-profit community hospitals, proprietary hospitals and large teaching facilities."

Wittenstein, who graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor's degree, also has a master's degree in business education from University of Miami and a doctorate in education from George Washington University.

— Lia Eustachewich contributed to this report.

This is a breaking news story. Continue to check Patch for updates.