Oregon Health & Science University’s board of governors voted Monday to appoint an interim president as it launches a national search for a permanent leader, reversing its previous plan to promote from within.

The vote came before the OHSU board was informed last month that the health system’s embattled president, Dr. It came as a concession to Gov. Tina Kotek, who had been pushing for a delay in naming a permanent replacement for Danny Jacobs. announced plans to resign “for personal reasons.”

Kotek’s office will also play a role in the search for a permanent replacement for Jacobs. on friday, Kotek and OHSU announce launch of national recruiting effort It will be led by a search committee that includes the governor’s executive appointments team.

Steve Stadum, the university’s former general counsel who also previously served as chief operating officer at OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, will take over as interim president on Tuesday.

He will lead the institution at a time when OHSU faces an uncertain financial future and years of internal debates that have strained relationships with faculty and staff.

He will also need to work to finalize the high-profile acquisition of Legacy Health, a merger partner with financial problems of its own.

The stadium’s approval follows a tumultuous period under Jacobs’ leadership. During his tenure, Jacobs led the institution through the COVID-19 pandemic and negotiated a plan to acquire Legacy, but he faced sustained criticism for his response to sexual harassment complaints and run-ins with the institution’s medical school faculty.

The announcement of Jacobs’ plan to step down from the senior post came after the medical school’s former dean, Dr. David Jacoby, sued the university He claimed Jacobs falsely accused him of mishandling a high-profile harassment case.

The board initially turned to pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Pasha, who had been appointed dean of OHSU’s medical school about five months earlier, citing the need for stability. He planned to appoint Nate Selden as the new president. The day after Jacobs announced his plans to resign, the board was scheduled to appoint Selden to a three-year term as the university’s president.

Kotek, who appointed members to the OHSU board, openly criticized the plan, saying OHSU should approach the transition process with “appropriate due diligence.” The board postponed its decision, and on Friday Kotek and OHSU jointly announced plans for a nationwide search.