Justin Vang-Moore, EdD, begins as the new chief administrative officer of the Department of Medicine
Justin Vang-Moore, EdD, began as the new University of Wisconsin Department of Medicine (UW DOM) chief administrative officer (CAO) on August 31, 2026.
Dr. Vang-Moore joins us from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Department of Medicine, one of the nation’s largest and most complex academic medicine departments. In his nine years there, he’s held progressively senior leadership positions:
- Division manager for the Division of Hospital Medicine (a $24M clinical and research enterprise with over 90 faculty and staff)
- Division manager for the Division of Experimental Medicine (a research-intensive division with a $19.5M combined portfolio, 25,000 square feet of wet and dry lab space, and over 60 personnel)
- Staff and faculty experience specialist in the Chair’s Office (implementing over 40 high-impact programs to improve the experience of over 2,500 faculty and staff across four sites)
Dr. Vang-Moore’s leadership ethos is anchored in a deep, genuine care for people. He has a proven track record of driving operational excellence simultaneously across all mission areas, while building an engaging culture where faculty and staff choose to stay and thrive.
At UCSF, he provided organizational continuity through multiple leadership transitions, built sustainable administrative systems across matrixed organizational structures, and led highly successful staff mentorship and division engagement programs.
"Justin’s experience leading large, multifaceted academic medicine programs, combined with his commitment to creating cultures of belonging and engagement, make him uniquely suited to the role of CAO,” says Lynn Schnapp, MD, George R. and Elaine Love Professor and chair of the UW Department of Medicine.
In recognition of his work, Dr. Vang-Moore received the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital Department of Medicine Excellence in Leadership Award in 2025 and the UCSF STAR Achievement Award three years in a row. He is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine, and serves on the planning committee for the annual Academic Internal Medicine Week conference.
From the moment I began learning about the UW Department of Medicine, I was drawn to its commitment to excellence across clinical care, research and education, as well as its dedication to the Wisconsin Idea.
Dr. Vang-Moore
Dr. Vang-Moore began his career as an elementary school teacher and assistant principal in Florida and later earned a doctorate (EdD) in Education, Organization and Leadership from the University of San Francisco (USF). His scholarly work on identity, leadership, and cultural inclusion/exclusion informs his administrative practice every day.
As he prepares to join UW, Dr. Vang-Moore and his husband, Chi, are looking forward to making Madison their home and becoming part of the university and broader Wisconsin community.
"From the moment I began learning about the UW Department of Medicine, I was drawn to its commitment to excellence across clinical care, research and education, as well as its dedication to the Wisconsin Idea," he says.
"The opportunity to support faculty, staff and learners in an organization that is transforming medicine and improving lives is incredibly meaningful. I am honored to join this community and excited to help advance its mission.”
Welcome, Dr. Vang-Moore!
