University of California, San Diego associate administrator recognized as Woman of the Year

Lisa Murphy, associate administrator for University of California, San Diego Health System and administrative director for Cardiovascular and Medicine Services, has been chosen "Woman of the Year" in the field of health care by the Women in Leadership program sponsored by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce. Murphy is one of six women of achievement - in various categories, including business, non-profit, education, government, arts/culture/media and health care - honored at the 10th Annual Women in Leadership Luncheon at the Town & Country Hotel.

"Lisa brings focus and great enthusiasm to everything she does," said Kirk Peterson, MD, director, UC San Diego Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center. "Her dedication to our mission - providing excellent patient care within a hub of education, innovation and discovery - is obvious and heart felt. We are very proud to see her efforts recognized in this way."

Murphy was selected by the East County Chamber Board for her "demonstrated leadership abilities and outstanding achievements." Her responsibilities include leadership and oversight for clinical operations as well as financial performance and program growth for the cardiovascular service line. Murphy was also actively engaged in planning, operationalizing and licensing the Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center from July 2005 through opening day on July 31, 2011. Due to the success of that project, Murphy is now co-chair of the Transition Committee for UC San Diego Jacobs Medical Center (JMC), a $700 million, 240-bed tertiary care medical center scheduled to open in La Jolla in 2016.

Among her contributions, Murphy is a major sponsor, fundraiser and team leader of the annual UC San Diego Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center Heart Walk. She was San Diego's regional chairwoman for the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" campaign in 2011 as well as a member of the LEAD Impact class of 2012.

"I am honored to receive this recognition for doing what I love to do," said Murphy. "UC San Diego Health System's cardiovascular program is recognized for excellence worldwide, and the Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center is the diamond in our crown. I'm inspired everyday by the level of dedication our staff, nurses, physicians and surgeons give our patients."

As part of the only academic health system in San Diego, the Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center is the only facility in San Diego providing all cardiovascular research, services and programs in one location. It was recently recognized by Truven Health Analytics as one of the nation's 2013 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals.