Judy A. Reitz, a chief architect of The Johns Hopkins Hospital's ongoing operations restructuring efforts and an authority on organizational performance and design, has been named executive vice president and chief operating officer of the hospital. She is the sixth person and first woman appointed to the executive vice president post.

Reitz, an 18-year Hopkins veteran, has simultaneously served as senior vice president of operations of the hospital and executive vice president and COO of Bayview Medical Center for the past two and a half years.

"The challenges we face in academic medicine are unparalleled," says Reitz. "To be at the helm of operations of the hospital, to help shape the future at such an important time in history, is an extraordinary opportunity. Working with people with such enormous talent, dedication and character to continue to forge new frontiers in the science and delivery of medicine is exhilarating. One of my primary objectives is to make sure we focus on the basics of our infrastructure--administrative and support operations--to reach new heights in service excellence and futuristic state-of-the-art operations."

Reitz holds a doctorate of science degree from the School of Public Health as well as a master of science and bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Maryland School of Nursing. She is a member of the associate faculty of the schools of Public Health and Nursing.