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Leadership Legacy of Marschall S. Runge at Michigan Medicine

Over the past decade, the landscape of healthcare and medical education has been significantly impacted by a global pandemic and extensive reductions in healthcare funding. Navigating this turbulent period, Marschall S. Runge notably stepped up as a transformative leader for Michigan Medicine, holding a rare triple-leadership position. Since 2015, he served as the executive vice president of medical affairs and the chief executive officer, and in 2016, he also became the dean of the Medical School. His tenure in these critical roles is set to continue until 2025, marking a period of significant change and growth within the institution.

Achievements and Contributions

The University has recognized Runge as a pivotal figure in expanding its philanthropic efforts and propelling research advancements to unprecedented levels. During his administration, philanthropic funding doubled, laying a solid foundation for future advancements. In addition to his roles in leadership, Runge actively contributed to research, primarily focusing on cardiovascular topics, thereby ensuring his scientific curiosity complemented his administrative capabilities.

With his major responsibilities, it’s worth noting that Runge became one of the highest-paid faculty members within the University. As of 2024, he ranked as the second-highest compensated employee at the University of Michigan, with a salary exceeding $2.38 million.

Dual Financial Affiliations

However, Runge’s financial arrangements did not stop there. In a notable dual role, he joined the board of directors at Eli Lilly, a well-known pharmaceutical company, in 2013, remaining with them until August 2024. While Eli Lilly manufactures at least one cardiovascular drug, the specifics surrounding any direct correlation between Runge’s research and the drugs produced by the company remain ambiguous. According to Open Payments, a government database mandated by the Physician Payment Sunshine Act, Runge received over $2 million from Eli Lilly during his tenure as a board member.

While it is not unusual for physicians to receive compensation from pharmaceutical and medical device companies for consulting services, a Michigan Daily investigation discovered that Runge’s payments from Eli Lilly were extraordinary, eclipsing the amounts his colleagues in similar positions received. Furthermore, the extent of outside compensation was inconsistent with the financial disclosures of Runge’s fellow leadership members at Michigan Medicine.

Ethical Oversight and Disclosures

Concerns have been raised regarding Runge’s lack of transparency; the Daily reported he omitted his financial connections to Eli Lilly in 12 different journal publications. This lack of disclosure is troubling; even well-regarded journals such as ScienceDirect, owned by Elsevier, have policies to mitigate conflict of interest concerns. When asked for comment, an Elsevier spokesperson confirmed that the matter is under investigation, underscoring the organization’s commitment to publishing ethics.

Subsequently, Elsevier issued a corregendum acknowledging Runge’s omission in light of ethical standards, explicitly stating that “the authors regret omitting to include that Marschall S. Runge was a member of the Board of Directors of Eli Lilly at the time of this publication and apologize for any inconvenience that resulted.”

In response to a series of inquiries, Runge highlighted through a statement from Mary Masson, Michigan Medicine senior director of public relations, that he followed the University’s conflict of interest policies diligently, obtaining necessary approvals for his role at Eli Lilly and routinely updating the relevant parties on potential conflicts.

Voices of Concern and Industry Implications

In discussions with external experts like Dr. Eric Campbell, the research director at the University of Colorado Anschutz Center for Bioethics and Humanities, insights have emerged regarding the ethical issues surrounding external financial relationships. Campbell expressed that while serving on boards can be lucrative, such affiliations could skew research outcomes or damage public trust in institutions. “It could leave the impression among the public and employees that their leaders are trading the reputation of the institution for their own personal benefit,” he stated.

Despite Runge’s substantial external income, data shows that the majority of the payments, around 95% from 2018 to 2024, were categorized as "compensation for services other than consulting," covering presentations and educational engagements. Additionally, Runge amassed a stock portfolio with Eli Lilly valued at over $17 million—a financial connection that warrants scrutiny.

Trends within Michigan Medicine Leadership

The Daily’s investigation revealed that Runge’s financial dealings were not standard among his peers at similarly prestigious medical institutions. In fact, Runge ranked second for external compensation among the deans of the top 20 medical schools for research, leading to further discussions about consistent ethical standards across the board.

Dr. Robert Steinbrook, director of the Public Citizen Health Research Group, articulated the importance of loyalty and transparency in such roles. “A dean speaks on behalf of the institution, and the question arises: ‘What’s the loyalty?’” he questioned, opening up dialogue about internal versus external allegiances.

The Importance of Transparency and Compliance

The overarching standard for researchers with financial ties is quite clear: complete transparency in disclosing any competing interests. Many top-tier journals urge their authors to emphasize disclosure during the entire research process, including planning, implementation, peer review, and publication. Essential to maintaining public trust, the governing body, the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), underscores that transparency is key to preserving the integrity of scientific pursuit.

The University of Michigan, recognized as a trailblazer in medical research, defined clear conflict of interest policies encompassing all faculty and researchers. Runge played a crucial role in formulating these policies, yet concerns linger around their applicability to individuals in leadership.

Runge’s Continued Involvement Post-Retirement

Though Runge officially retired from his roles at Michigan Medicine as of summer 2025, he continues to work within the institution as the Frank D. and Agnes C. McKay professor in medicinal science, a professor of internal medicine, and a special adviser to the new executive vice president.

Following Runge’s departure, leadership roles were separated to prevent the concentration of power. Now, Dr. David Miller serves as the chief executive officer while Dr. Thomas Wang oversees the deanship. The decision reflects an acknowledgment of internal tensions within the administration, suggesting a renewed commitment to governance standards.

Leveraging AI legalese decoder for Effective Compliance

In facing situations such as these, organizations can benefit immensely from using tools like the AI legalese decoder. This AI-powered platform is designed to simplify and clarify complex legal language, making it easier for individuals in similar positions to understand their obligations. By providing clear summaries and straightforward language, the AI legalese decoder can enhance the comprehension of conflict of interest policies, ensuring compliance and transparency. In instances where potential conflicts arise, having a clear understanding of legal parameters can help mitigate risks and maintain the integrity of both individual researchers and institutions at large.

In conclusion, the revelations surrounding Runge’s financial ties command attention not only for their implications at Michigan Medicine but also for the broader discussion of ethics in medical research leadership. Emphasizing transparency, accountability, and the necessity of clear policies will be vital as institutions navigate the complexities of modern healthcare in a rapidly evolving landscape.

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