Manatt, Phelps & Phillips hires veteran health system leader

Professional services firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP has announced that former CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) Ralph Muller will join the firm’s Manatt Health group as a national advisor. Muller will officially join Manatt as of January 2, 2020.

“Ralph’s experience leading a collaborative and diverse group of forward-thinking professionals throughout his career mirrors what we’re building at Manatt with our growing team of lawyers, policy leaders and consultants,” Donna Wilson, Manatt’s CEO and managing partner, said.

In addition to the UPHS, where he worked for 16 years, Muller has also led the University of Chicago Hospitals – both are among the nation’s most well-regarded academic health systems. His expertise in the area, coupled with his knowledge of healthcare management, policy, and economics, makes him a valuable asset to Manatt Health.

“Ralph is a wonderful addition to our academic center team led by senior managing director Tom Enders, and brings an unparalleled managerial and policy experience that will be highly valued by our healthcare clients,” Bill Bernstein, leader of Manatt Health, said.

UPHS now cares for five million patients each year. There, Muller played a key role in developing a group structure for the system’s clinical practices. He also helped integrate a funds flow system that aligns clinical, research, and educational requirements. Under Muller, UPHS also enjoyed boosted revenue, which allows its research arm to expand and blossom into an internationally renowned organization.

Muller has also served as chairman of the Association of American Medical Colleges, chairman of the Council of Teaching Hospitals and Health Systems, chair of the University HelathSystem Consortium, and chairman of the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. He holds a master’s degree in government from Harvard and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Syracuse University.

“I am looking forward to joining my new Manatt colleagues,” Muller said. “I have admired Manatt Health’s work for a long time and expect to work with them on the challenging leadership and strategy issues that frustrate executives and policy leaders throughout the industry.”

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips operates from offices in California, Chicago, Washington, DC, and Boston. It offers legal and consulting services to clients of all sizes – from Fortune 500 to middle-market to emerging – in industries and sectors including healthcare, financial services, entertainment, energy, and real estate.