Dr. Richard Hart, MD, DrPH, current chancellor and chief executive officer of Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center, will assume the duties of LLUAHSC president on March 24, university officials said today.

The search committee assigned to replace former president Dr. B. Lyn Behrens—who announced her retirement in December—agreed that Hart, with his distinguished career as both physician and academic, coupled with his humanitarian outreach, would best serve the interests of the Seventh-day Adventist-owned university complex in Southern California.

“Dr. Hart is deeply committed to the mission of this organization and is uniquely equipped to continue to expand the institution’s global impact,” university board chair Lowell Cooper said, noting Hart’s international experience.

Hart is largely responsible for launching many of Loma Linda’s humanitarian efforts around the world. He has consulted for the World Health Organization in Zimbabwe and Nigeria and served as a maternal and child health advisor to the Tanzanian government. He is also founder and president of Social Action Community Health System, a low-cost primary health care network serving Southern California.

In accepting the position, Hart described it as both an “honor” and a “sobering responsibility.”

“I have great confidence in the people [who] work here, and look forward to collaborating with my colleagues,” he said.

Hart, who earned medical and master of public health degrees from LLU and completed his internal medicine residency there, received his doctor of public health degree from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Hart has authored three books on health and a number of scientific research articles. Hart has acted as CEO and chancellor of the university since 2001 and has filled various academic and leadership roles at the university since 1972.

University officials say he will continue to serve as chancellor and CEO until a replacement is appointed.

Loma Linda University was founded in 1905 and currently has some 4,100 students attending from about 80 countries.