Minutes of the Council Meetings >>

2003-2004  (FY04) MEDICAL SCHOOL COUNCIL
Dr. John Clarkson, Chair

MINUTES

Medical School Council Meeting B - Tuesday, August 19, 2003 (These minutes were approved at the Speaker Meeting of the School Council held on September 16, 2003.

This meeting was called to order at 5:07 p.m. Members absent were Drs. Ahmad, Baumbach, Bishopric, Carraway, Fishman, King, O'Sullivan, Young

1. FACILITIES Assistant Vice President for Facilities Ron Bogue reported that an interim Faculty Club will be opened in space presently occupied by the Office of Medical Finance in the Park Plaza West Parking Garage. He added that the clinical research building is on schedule with the intention that ground will be broken in October. He predicted that the building will be opened approximately 2 years from next January. This building will include a 1,450 car parking garage and a wellness center. A proposal for a wet lab building on the Amedic site is being reviewed with the goal of completion within 44 months. Three other sites are being considered for wet lab space and for animal facilities.

Dr. Clarkson continued that consultants were engaged to develop a plan for a university hospital. The plan proposed a combined multispecialty diagnostic clinic with an in-patient facility. Although the business plan for the hospital showed a positive bottom line, the initial cost would be between $450-500 million. He explained that President Shalala said that a decision will be made this year but expressed concern that if this much money is borrowed, the university's ability to acquire further loans will be limited. He thought that such borrowing by UMSM is unlikely to occur but said that two alternatives being considered. One is that JMH may propose to build a 13-story tower within its west wing area with a clinical office building to the west of this tower. The other is that HCA may propose to purchase the land and build a hospital and medical office building west of Cedars but independent of Cedars. However, UMSM discussions with HCA on this proposal have emphasized that UMSM prefers to construct a hospital facility at our site.

Dr. Clarkson stated that President Shalala believes that HCA can complete its facility more quickly and that we may make a better arrangement with HCA including its investment in the academic mission of the school. There is also the possibility that UM will invest with HCA so that we will share ownership of the proposed facility. He suggested that we now have some leverage both with the Public Health Trust and HCA and a commitment from our Board of Trustees to assure that a new hospital will be forthcoming.

Dr. Younis asked whether any arrangement is possible by which we acquire Cedars. Dr. Clarkson answered that this might be a transitional step which would accommodate our needs at least partially. However, partnering with Cedars would be a large expense for UMSM and there would still be a need for a medical office building on our campus. Nevertheless this may be a point for future discussions.

Dr. Markoe advised that we need to have an equity interest in whatever we do. Dr. Clarkson agreed and said that he recently visited at the University of Southern California since Tenet built a hospital with that school which is now Tenet's most successful hospital. He said that the USC-Tenet partnership between a private school and a for-profit company has benefited both partners and may be a model for UMSM.

Dr. Bancalari asked whether plans for the new building include pediatric and ob/gyn beds. Dr. Clarkson answered that neither are planned because the Public Health Trust has made commitments in these areas. He added that there could be some children's outpatient activity in the new facility but no in-patient service is planned.

Dr. Awad noted that a problem with the JMH is the quality of its ancillary services. Dr. Namias added that dealing with JMH personnel and unions is a problem. Dr. Clarkson answered that we will let the Public Health Trust put its best proposal forward and we will plan from there. He agreed that the PHT must address its need for private patients in order to fiscally survive. He said that UMSM continues to have as much difficulty getting private patients admitted into JMH as it has getting unfunded patients admitted and that this could create financial difficulties. He summarized that several proposals will be forthcoming and we will carefully review all of them.

2. SENIOR ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR RESEARCH Dr. Clarkson announced that Dr. Camillo Ricordi, Professor of Medicine and Scientific Director of the Diabetes Research Institute, has agreed to serve as Senior Associate Dean for Research. Dr. Ricordi has already met with Ron Bogue and Dr. Norman Altman on research issues. He said that Dr. Ricordi has committed to spend at least 25% of his effort in this office.

3. DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS Dr. Clarkson reported that Dr. Stephen Lipshultz began his service as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics effective August 15. His wife, Dr. Tracey Miller, a pediatric gastroenterologist, will soon join him on the faculty.

4. UMMG PARENTAL LEAVE POLICY Dr. Clarkson stated that he recently met with the UMSM Faculty Senate representatives and the faculty committee that wrote the proposed parental leave policy for faculty who are members of the UMMG. This group reviewed the proposed policy which was approved by the Council and Dean. There was agreement that the policy well meets the needs of the UMMG faculty and will likely be approved by the Senate. Further issues are part-time employment and parental leave for faculty who have significant commitments to research.

5. COUNCIL PROJECT FOR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Dr. Lewis proposed that the Council focus on a special project for the capital campaign. The Council suggested concentrating on student loans and scholarships since many students graduate owed $200K or more. Dr. Clarkson said that UMSM has hesitated to raise tuition because of the burden on students. He observed that out-of-state students now pay $36K annually while in-state students pay $28K. Nevertheless, we now have 35 out-of-state students.

Dr. Mian said that the out-of-state tuition level is 4th highest in the US. Dr. Clarkson answered that we have given most out-of-state students a reduction in tuition to the in-state level; but he emphasized that financial aid should not be given only because someone lives out-of-state. Rather, scholarships should be given for academic performance with a defined set of criteria.

Dr. Clarkson noted that it is difficult to raise funds for student scholarships and suggested that Laura Horsley, Victoria Meyers and Dr. Mark O'Connell should be consulted to help set a goal and participate in the project.

Dr. Fletcher expressed a concern that money donated by medical faculty should be earmarked for UMSM. Dr. Clarkson assured that this will not be a problem if faculty designate their contributions for UMSM purposes.

6. ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE Dr. Mian proposed that Dr. John Ryan be added to the Admissions Committee to fill an open committee. He explained that this committee has had problems because its responsibilities are very time consuming but he observed that there are other committees that time-consuming responsibilities but without problems. He suggested that the leadership of the admissions committee should encourage participation.

Dr. Awad added that of a faculty with nearly 1,100 people, only 50 people volunteered for any of the Council committees. He said that there needs to be some recognition for committee service. Dr. Markoe said that chairs do not mentor faculty that committee service counts toward anything; nor does this come from the administration despite statements in the Faculty Manual and APT guidelines that service is something that faculty are judged on. He also proposed that faculty who are removed from committees should not be permitted to document their service on the committee. Dr. Lopez suggested that instead of seeking volunteers, the Dean should send letters to people appointing them to a committee and the Dean should also send letters to people who are not performing their service effectively.

Dr. Mian said that the Dean has agreed to send a letter to chairs urging faculty to serve on committees. However, he said that it is difficult for faculty with clinical responsibilities to make time available during the day. He suggested that dates be given far in advance so that faculty can arrange their work schedules to make time for committee service. Dr. Fletcher pointed out that the problem is even more general since approximately half of our senators do not attend senate meetings. Dr. Thurer agreed that until chairs encourage faculty participation in service, there will not be improvements in the number of volunteers and in their effort.

Dr. Lewis suggested that the chair of the Admissions Committee be invited to the Council with the Dean to discuss committee matters.

7. SCHOOL COUNCIL The next Speaker's Meeting of the School Council will be held Tuesday, September 16, 2003 at 5 p.m in room 1537 of the Sylvester Cancer Center. The next Dean's Meeting will be on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 at 5 p.m in the Sylvester Cancer Center, Room 1537. These meetings are open to all faculty, as are all Council meetings. The meeting was adjourned at 6:16 p.m.

Myron Rosenthal, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Professional Affairs