University of California regents were a bit taken aback by a surprise conference call informing them that UC President Janet Napolitano was hospitalized for complications from her treatment for cancer.
“It was even more surprising to hear that she had been undergoing treatment for months,” said one regent, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.
The call came from Monica Lozano, chairwoman of the board, who had been kept informed about Napolitano’s cancer treatment since she was diagnosed in August. Regents got the call Tuesday, shortly before UC went public with the news.
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Lozano went out of her way to say Napolitano was doing well and would be quickly back to work, our source said.
Napolitano was treated for breast cancer in 2000 and underwent a mastectomy, but UC has not disclosed the nature of her current cancer. In its public statement, the university said Napolitano was expected to be released from the hospital in the next day or two.
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Sure enough, on Friday, the 59-year-old former Arizona governor and Homeland Security chief was back in the office.
Still, if everything was going so well — and there was no cause for alarm — why the call?
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“That’s what some of us were wondering as well,” the regent said.
S an Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@ sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross
