UC Taps UC Davis Manager as Staff Advisor-Designate

Penelope Herbert

Penelope “Penny” Herbert, a manager in the Department of Clinical Operations at UC Davis Health System, has been selected as the 2010-2012 Staff Advisor-designate to the UC Regents, UC President Mark Yudof announced on May 19.

Her appointment follows a systemwide, months-long selection process.  Herbert joins Juliann Martinez, the 2009-2011 staff advisor.

“Penny’s commitment to the University’s mission and her understanding of the issues we face make her an excellent choice for the Staff Advisor role,” Yudof said.  “We had many qualified candidates to consider, and I think Penny will represent all UC employees well.”

Herbert replaces Edward Abeyta of UC San Diego whose two-year appointment ends June 30.

“I feel extremely honored to be trusted with this important responsibility,” Herbert said. “I look forward to building on the work done by previous staff advisors, particularly in finding avenues for unrepresented staff to have a voice.”

“Penny is a dynamic, innovative manager deeply committed to the success of the University of California and the people of California whom we serve,” says Claire Pomeroy, UC Davis vice chancellor for Human Health Sciences and dean of the School of Medicine. “She is an inspiring organizational and team leader and dynamic staff representative who combines outstanding interpersonal skills with sound evidence-based approaches to decision making.”

As staff advisor-designate, Herbert will represent staff and non-Senate academic employees in board of Regents deliberations and decisions, bringing the voice and perspective of staff and non-Senate academic employees to board deliberations. She will participate as a non-voting advisor on five Regents’ committees: Committee on Educational Policy, Committee on Finance, Committee on Long Range Planning, Committee on Health Services and Committee on Investments.

Herbert joined UC Davis Health System in 2003 and serves as manager of clinical operations where she works to integrate the health system’s strategic goals into efficient day-to-day operations at UC Davis Medical Center and its outpatient offices.  During her tenure at UC Davis Health System, Herbert took on additional responsibility as interim executive director for the Center for AIDS Research, Education and Services, the Sacramento area’s largest HIV/AIDS treatment clinic, and currently serves as vice president of its board. 

Herbert also serves as board treasurer for the Winters Healthcare Foundation, a health center in rural Northern California. Prior to joining UC Davis Health System, Herbert held key supervisory and managerial roles at Boston-area hospitals affiliated with the Harvard Medical System.

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University of California Regents