A promotion to chief executive officer of UPMC St. Margaret is a two-fold pleasure for David Martin.
Not only is it a homecoming for the Fox Chapel resident, but Martin's tenure signifies St. Margaret's groundbreaking entry into the future of medical technology.
"There's a rich history and culture there," said Martin, 47, who comes to the helm after 16 years at UPMC Shadyside. "To be part of a team that will see St. Margaret continue to grow in that tradition is nice."
Martin will assume his position July 15, just two months after the hospital has unveiled its $9.5 million renovation that includes four "operating rooms of tomorrow." State-of-the-art technology now allows computer-integrated surgical assistance, where with one word physicians can position operating equipment or communicate with surgeons across the world.
Martin noted that the expansion increases surgical capacity by 50 percent, and was made necessary by the 15 percent increase in surgical volume at St. Margaret in the past two years. The number of surgeries performed each month at St. Margaret has increased from 650 to about 800.
"I wanted to be involved in the future at St. Margaret," said Martin, who earned a master's degree in business administration from Golden Gate University in Los Angeles. He also holds a master's degree in psychology from Washington State University.
"There's an opportunity to increase our market share, and provide a high level of services to the St. Margaret community."
The hospital has capitalized on last year's closing of Citizens' General Hospital in New Kensington, reaching out to people in neighborhoods further north along the Allegheny River. Centrally located between Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Valley communities, the administration touts "Oakland-type care" in the Pittsburgh site that borders O'Hara and Aspinwall.
A 237-bed acute care facility, St. Margaret also serves as a teaching hospital that serves 250,000 people each year.
"We believe Dave Martin is an excellent choice," said Neil Van Horn, chairman of St. Margaret's Board of Directors. "He is well qualified to continue our strategy of growth and development, and to provide strong leadership for our community."
John W. Paul, executive vice-president of UPMC, said Martin brings vast experience to the position, having successfully participated as a senior leader in Shadyside's integration into the UPMC Health System.
"(Martin) led the hospital in existing and new program growth and development, and in medical staff recruitment and retention," Paul said.
Prior to his stint at Los Altos Hospital, Martin was the chief operating officer at Doctor's Hospital of Lakewood. He will replace Richard Sobehart, the former director, who will concentrate his work at UPMC Health System's Senior Living Division.
