Marc Volavka plans to step down as executive director of the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council, a state agency that collects and analyzes data on the cost and quality of health care.

Mr. Volavka, 57, who is currently on medical leave, will retire, the agency said in a news release received yesterday. His last day of employment had not been determined. He was hired by the agency in 1993 and became executive director in 1998.

"Marc has been a valuable contributor to the council and to state government over many years, and we wish him well," said council Chairman David Kreider, a business community representative on the council. Other council members represent labor groups, health care providers, health insurers and several state agencies.

The council has gained recognition for its innovative work in the public reporting of health care information, including heart bypass surgery outcomes, hospital-acquired infections and overall hospital performance.

In 2006, for example, a council report detailing infection rates in each of the state's hospitals was believed to be the first of its kind in the nation.

Mr. Volavka's departure signals "the end of an era," said Lisa McGiffert, who directs the "Stop Hospital Infections" campaign for Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports. She said he has been instrumental in providing information to the public about those infections.

While some criticized those efforts, "he had a very clear idea of what he wanted to do and was tenacious in getting it done," she said.

Patients and other health care purchasers owe thanks to Mr. Volavka for working to provide meaningful data that are not available in other states, said Dr. Karen Feinstein, chief executive officer of the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative.

The council has appointed David Wilderman, vice chairman of the council's executive committee, as acting executive director. He served as legislative director of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO from 1982 through 2005.

Mr. Wilderman has named Flossie Wolf, the council's director of health policy research, to a new position of acting deputy executive director.

Mr. Volavka is a board member and former chairman of the National Association of Health Data Organizations.

Before coming to the council, he worked for two decades on the staff of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He was chief of staff to House Majority Leader James Manderino, a Democrat from Monessen who later became House speaker.