Program Leadership

Eric D. Hess, MBA, CPA

Program Director and Preceptor

Eric D. Hess, MBA, CPA, is the Chief Operating Officer for University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute.  Eric’s responsibilities include setting and executing the overall strategy and overseeing business and service operations for the service line, representing heart and vascular services at 18 affiliated hospitals and over 30 outpatient locations, over 1,300 employees, 300 providers, and 18 centers of excellence.  Prior to coming to University Hospitals in 2017, Eric held executive leadership roles at Children’s Hospital of Michigan (Chief Operating Officer) and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (Vice President, Operations).  Eric started his career at Deloitte, spending 5 years in the Accounting & Auditing division and the next 7 years in healthcare consulting.  Eric has his undergraduate accounting degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and his MBA from Central Michigan University.

Marcus Paschall, JD, MBA

Preceptor

Marcus Paschall, JD, MBA, is the Vice President of Operations for University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center. In this role Marcus providers leadership and oversight of operations for UH Seidman’s 17 locations across the University Hospitals system. He is responsible for translating the vision into best practices and benchmark performance. In addition, Marcus is responsible for developing and implementing the strategic vision for UH Seidman Cancer Center. Prior to joining University Hospitals, Marcus spent nine years at the University of Chicago Medicine in a variety of operational, business development and quality leadership capacities before ultimately serving as the Executive Director of the Cancer Service Line. Marcus started his career at the University of Chicago Medicine as an Administrative Fellow. Marcus earned Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University, his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and his Bachelor of Science from Indiana University. Outside of work, Marcus enjoys spending time with his wife Barbara and daughter Maya. He is an avid sports fan, runner and restaurant explorer.

George Ata, MBA, FACHE

Preceptor

George Ata, MBA, FACHE is the Vice President of Operations for University Hospitals. George’s primary responsibilities include leading the implementation of UH Systems of Care, a new clinical operations infrastructure that transforms our operating model from siloed departments to systems of care. This includes guiding the adaptation, evolution and development of supporting structures, processes and tools to deliver patient focused, coordinated, agile, and optimized care. In addition, George is also responsible for providing executive oversight of our physician practice operations for University Hospitals Physician Services, which includes over 2,000 employed providers ranging from community based primary care to academically oriented specialty care. George joined UH in 2006 and has served in various capacities within Finance, Physician Practice Management, Clinical Institutes, and the Department of Surgery. George received his MBA in Health Care Administration from Cleveland State University in 2006 and is a Fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives. Outside of work, George enjoys spending time with his wife Natalie and two children Jimmy and Maya, as well as staying active with outdoor activities.