Harborview director abruptly announces retirement

David Jaffe, executive director of Harborview Medical Center, abruptly announced his departure Monday afternoon, telling staff in an e-mail that he also was leaving his clinical faculty position at the University of Washington's School of Public Health and Community Medicine.

In the e-mail, sent out about 3 p.m. Monday, Jaffe, 58, said: "Having celebrated my 15th year anniversary with the University, I will be retiring on Monday, June 11, 2007."

Dr. Paul Ramsey, CEO of UW Medicine and dean of the School of Medicine, in a separate e-mail to the staff, extended his appreciation for Jaffe's work:

"Over the years, David helped build an outstanding mission-driven team with an unwavering commitment to patient care, teaching, and research. Harborview is well positioned to continue to succeed with its important work."

Harborview's chief operating officer, Johnese Spisso, will become acting executive director, Ramsey said, while the search for a new executive director is under way.

Harborview Medical Center is managed by the University of Washington and is owned by King County. A spokesman for the Metropolitan King County Council said Jaffe's departure was a surprise to council Chairman Larry Gossett and to Councilmember Julia Patterson, who heads the county's Board of Health.

Kimberly McNally, president of Harborview's board of trustees, said she and other board members also got the news by e-mail Monday.

She would not comment on whether it was typical for a hospital's top executive to leave after 15 years with no notice or time to make a transition: "The only story is that Dave has chosen to retire."

In 2006, Jaffe was the fourth highest-paid UW official, at $376,800.

An answering machine at Jaffe's home would not take a message.

Tina Mankowski, director of UW news and community relations, said she did not know any reasons for the departure.

Carol M. Ostrom: 206-464-2249 or costrom@seattletimes.com