Aiyelawo Named CC Chief Operating Officer

U.S. Navy Capt. Pius Aiyelawo (ret.) became chief operating officer of the Clinical Center on Apr. 2. He fills a COO role newly expanded to include management of most clinical as well as administrative areas. He reports directly to hospital chief executive officer Dr. James K. Gilman.

“Pius’s tremendous health care leadership experience is matched only by a positive energy and spirit that will inspire both patients and staff,” said Gilman. “After a very competitive national search, I am convinced he is the right person to help us raise the bar ever higher in delivering safe, high quality patient-centric care.”

Aiyelawo held senior leadership positions in hospitals and large medical research programs throughout a distinguished military career spanning more than 27 years. His most recent appointments included assistant deputy director, research and development, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Falls Church, Va., and COO/deputy commander of Naval Medical Research & Development Command, Fort Detrick, Md. He also has served as commanding officer of the largest Navy health care facility, U.S. Naval Hospital, Okinawa, Japan, where he led successful planning, transition and relocation to a new $650 million hospital complex.

Aiyelawo’s awards include the Legion of Merit with two gold stars, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Navy Commendation Medal with one gold star, Navy Achievement Medal, service and unit awards.

Following retirement from the Navy in 2013, Aiyelawo served as senior program director at General Dynamics Health Solutions in Silver Spring.

He has taught health care courses throughout the world. Since 2014, he has served as an adjunct assistant professor of preventive medicine and biometrics at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

Aiyelawo holds a bachelor of arts in management science from Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, and received a masters of public administration from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. He is a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, on the board of directors of HelpAge USA and a member of the Society for International Development.

“I am grateful to the NIH senior leadership and Dr. Gilman for this opportunity and truly humbled to be selected as the chief operating officer of the finest and premier research hospital in the world,” Aiyelawo said.