In a surprise announcement, Johns Hopkins University’s newly installed president Ronald J. Daniels announced via email that he “underwent a surgical procedure at The Johns Hopkins Hospital today to remove a small mass in my abdomen.”

     The early evening announcement today (Monday) to “colleagues” said the growth was located behind the pancreas and that surgeons “got access to it by performing a Whipple procedure, during which part of the pancreas was removed.”

     Daniels did not say whether the mass is cancerous and said the pathology review will not be completed for “at least a week.” The 49-year-old Daniels, who was formally installed as Hopkins’ 14th president last month, sounded an upbeat note in his message, despite the troubling details. “My doctors have informed me that no matter their determination of what the mass is, my prognosis is excellent and they expect me to make a full recovery.”

 Read the full text of his email:

>I write to tell you that I underwent a surgical procedure at The Johns Hopkins Hospital today to remove a small mass in my abdomen. Although it will be at least a week until pathologists complete their review, my doctors have informed me that­no matter their determination of what the mass is­my prognosis is excellent and they expect me to make a full recovery.

>I will have to spend approximately eight weeks away from the office. The growth was located behind my pancreas and surgeons got access to it by performing a Whipple procedure, during which part of the pancreas was removed. This surgery necessitates a period of recuperation.

>Beyond this issue, I am in good health and, as those who ran with me in the President’s Fun Run at Homewood last month will (I hope!) attest, in reasonably decent shape. Both, I think, will aid in my recovery.

>I would much rather be active and working, as I had been until this morning. But I know that Johns Hopkins will not miss a beat. The university is in great shape, and the senior leadership team­the deans and vice presidents­will keep things moving forward. Provost Lloyd Minor will keep me informed, manage the business of the university on a day-to-day basis and stand in for me as needed until I return sometime next month.

>I am grateful to Pam Flaherty, chair of the board of trustees; all the trustees; Provost Minor; and the leaders of Johns Hopkins for their support. I am, of course, immensely grateful for the love and support of Joanne and our children, who are the cornerstones of my life.

>I’ve always known of the outstanding reputation of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and The Johns Hopkins Hospital. I never intended to get to know Johns Hopkins Medicine so well from the inside, but can now personally attest to the stellar care provided by our physicians, nurses and staff.

>I am grateful for what I know will be your support and good wishes. I’ll be back as soon as I can­perhaps even sooner than my doctors expect­and I look forward to seeing you again then and continuing our work together.

>Sincerely,

>Ron Daniels

>President, The Johns Hopkins University