Alumni Profile



photo Jerry Harris
Jerry Harris

Now enjoying an active retirement in Hilton Head, South Carolina, Jerry Harris (B.S. ’59) had a long and very successful career in hospital administration. After completing his political science degree he earned an M.A. in hospital administration from Iowa and then did a residency in hospital administration at Morristown Memorial Hospital in New Jersey. Next came two assistant administrator jobs, both at suburban Chicago hospitals. In 1970 he joined the management team at Community General Hospital in Syracuse, New York, as the Associate Administrator. He was named the President and CEO of the hospital in 1982 and served until he retired in 1998. During his time as CEO he also served as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the New York Hospital Association. Jerry is married to Susan Whitehead, also an Iowa graduate, and they have two children and five grandchildren.