The NYU Medical Center appointed Dr. Robert I. Grossman, a professor of radiology, as its dean and CEO on Tuesday.

Grossman was appointed to lead the center, which includes the School of Medicine and NYU Health System, following a nationwide search headed by Dr. Joseph Zuckerman, chairman of the orthopedic surgery department. Grossman will assume his positions on July 1.

Zuckerman said he was confident in the selection of Grossman.

"He's proven himself to be an innovator in how he's built his department."

Grossman said he was honored and appreciated the search committee's confidence in him.

"I'm optimistic that I will fulfill all their aspirations," he said.

Grossman will replace Dr. Robert Glickman, who has served as the dean and CEO since 1998. Following a short sabbatical, Glickman will serve as a professor of medicine and will practice gastroenterology at the Manhattan Veteran's Affairs Hospital.

"I am delighted," Glickman said. "I brought Dr. Grossman to NYU in 2001 precisely because I have deep admiration for his qualities as a physician, scientist, teacher and administrator."

Grossman said he hopes to increase the medical center's prestige during his tenure. He said he aims to take the medical center from its current state to one of the top 10 medical centers in the world.

"I want to see progress every year," he said, citing a number of strategies for reaching his goals.

"I want to recruit and retain the best academicians and scientists in the country," he said. "I want to work clinically to provide the best care, the highest quality care for patients coming to NYU and to offer medical students and all the other individuals in graduate and postgraduate training the highest level and most enlightened medical education available."

Grossman also noted other areas he hopes to improve.

"We clearly need new clinical facilities," he said. "We want to fast-forward that."

Plans for the future include a refurbishment of the existing Tisch hospital and construction of a new clinical facility for patients, he said.

Grossman commended Glickman for setting up the School of Medicine and Hospitals Center for further enhancement.

"He's really provided an incredible foundation," Grossman said. "He has the organization and the support necessary to take the next step. That's great."