Professor to Fill In as Head of Hospital

UCI Medical Center on Wednesday named as interim director Dr. Ralph Cygan, a professor at the university’s College of Medicine.

Cygan, 52, a professor of internal medicine and board-certified in the field, has been on UC Irvine’s faculty for 20 years. He helped found the UCI Primary Care Group and in addition to his clinical and teaching duties has held several administrative posts.

Cygan will take over for director Mark Laret, who leaves in two weeks to head UC San Francisco Medical Center. UCI Executive Vice Chancellor William J. Lillyman was named this week to head a search committee to find a permanent replacement for Laret.

UCI Chancellor Ralph J. Cicerone said that Cygan’s extensive experience as a clinician would keep the Orange medical center on track during the interim period.

“We are very fortunate to benefit from Ralph Cygan’s depth of experience as an outstanding physician, administrator and community leader,” he said.