Gazes will oversee legal and strategic counsel for the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Carla Gazes, an attorney with more than 20 years of academic medical center experience, has been named deputy general counsel for health sciences and chief counsel to the University of Rochester Medical Center. She comes to Rochester from the University of Chicago Medical Center and begins her new role on April 22.
Reporting to the University of Rochester’s Vice President and General Counsel Donna Gooden Payne, the position oversees legal and strategic counsel for the Medical Center, working closely with its CEO and dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry, David Linehan.
“Carla’s extensive and diverse experience in a complex academic medical center, strong sense of community and mentorship, ability to forge successful relationships with various stakeholders, and her warm and inclusive yet confident demeanor will help to move the University forward in new and exciting ways,” says Payne.
“The complexities of an academic medical center require expert counsel to effectively navigate the broad range of issues we face across all of our missions,” says Linehan. “Carla brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to guide our legal team and support us in all aspects, from patient care and research to regulatory requirements and financial issues.”
In her 22 years at the University of Chicago, Gazes served in roles of increasing responsibility, most recently as senior associate general counsel. She brings extensive experience in contractual, regulatory, and patient care issues. Gazes has served as lead privacy attorney, counsel on regulatory implications of strategic and business initiatives, and has experience supporting medical center financial operations and advising on research issues.
Gazes holds a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she also earned a certificate in health law. She holds additional certifications in both financial accounting and mediation.
Payne and Linehan expressed their gratitude to Diane Caselli, who has filled this role on an interim basis since July 2023. “Diane has done excellent work providing leadership during a transition period in which attention to many critical projects was required, including support for Dr. Linehan as he began work in his new roles as CEO for URMC and Dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry,” Payne says.
