Minutes of the Council Meetings >>

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

MINUTES

Medical School Council Meeting - Tuesday, January 27, 2004 (These minutes were approved at the Speaker’s Meeting of the School Council held February 17, 2004. Members absent were: Drs. King, Lokeshwar, Namias, Sipski. The meeting was called to order at 5:10 p.m.

1. FACULTY TOWN HALL MEETING: Dr. Baumbach asked Dr. Clarkson to review the faculty town hall meeting held on Wednesday (1/21/04). Dr. Clarkson characterized as constructive the comments made by faculty to the university administrators about the decision-making processes at the university-level. With specific reference to the increase in the composite fringe benefit rate, he agreed with faculty that the School of Medicine should not be in its present position, which is that it is required to implement decisions made by the Coral Gables administration without UMSM input. He hoped that at future town meetings, there will be discussions about issues rather than questions about why decisions were made when the Medical School was not part of the process in its early stages.

Dr. Clarkson summarized the faculty view that there must be a partnership between UMSM and the University, and that UMSM faculty and administrators should be involved in recognizing problems and crafting solutions. He noted that this was the first time in his memory that approximately 1/3 of our faculty were in a room together and united in their views.

Dr. Lewis reported that several faculty members have expressed to him concerns about disenfranchisement and poor communication of recent problems by university leaders. He said that faculty are taking a negative view of the university and are concerned about their futures; and he believed that there is a serious problem of faculty morale, especially among junior faculty, that could impact negatively in recruitment. He emphasized that the message needs to be conveyed that things are changing and that the Medical School is moving toward providing its own solutions. However, he suggested that faculty will not be satisfied until there is an answer to the question of how the problems occurred and who is responsible.

Dr. Awad added that there must be a partnership between the Coral Gables and Medical campuses and leadership in terms of strategic planning, financial management and academics. Dr. Clarkson agreed that such a partnership is necessary since UMSM is 60% of the University and is a major contributor to University excellence. He continued that the Medical School also faces very specific challenges and must conduct much of its business in ways that are different than those at Coral Gables. He said that there should be understanding that UMSM must be the leader in policies and issues that affect the Medical School.

Mr. John Deeley, who was recently appointed as Vice President for Medical Business and Operations, said that he has observed encouraging signs that UMSM’s view on its role in decision-making is being accepted at the university level. He believed that this will increase the relative autonomy of UMSM to set financial and other policies and he credited Dean Clarkson with being a strong advocate for the UMSM view on these matters.

Dr. Baumbach expressed the need for faculty representation and involvement in administrative decision-making that affects faculty. Dr. Clarkson asked whether the Faculty Senate had input into recent decisions such as the change in fringe benefit rates. Dr. Thurer answered said that Senate discussion was limited to the administrations recommendations for dealing with the problems rather than in how the problems occurred. Dr. Awad noted that the Senate leadership must constantly ask for invitations to budget meetings in Coral Gables and that most of the discussion in the Senate by the university administration is informative rather than seeking faculty input. Dr. Mian expressed his believe that the Senate has asked to participate in budget and other administrative processes but has been excluded.

Dr. Clarkson responded that he has requested that the Medical School be given the opportunity to take charge of our own future and that Coral Gables recognized that we need autonomy and authority to accomplish this. He called for concentration on solutions rather than retribution for past problems. This includes creating a fringe benefit structure that we can afford. He also cautioned that the Medical School must demonstrate that we deserve the autonomy that we are asking for. This means that there will be some pain in the turnaround from malpractice and other Medical School problems but we need to focus on the future. He noted that UMSM has already been given concessions on the fringe benefit issue.

Dr Baumbach asked whether the naming opportunity for the Medical School in the on-going capital campaign, might also be an opportunity to provide autonomy for UMSM. Dr. Clarkson answered that there is no great university without a great College of Arts and Sciences. He continued that both programs need to excel and that there should be collaboration among them. He also said that there is a prospect for naming UMSM which will hopefully come to fruition.

Dr. Awad suggested that Dr. Clarkson thank faculty for attending the meeting and for speaking frankly. He believed that this will send the message that the Dean is aligned with the faculty in their concerns. He also suggested that UMMG representatives meet with the University’s Board of Trustees to inform them about Medical School issues. Dr. Clarkson agreed that the process for informing the Trustees about UMSM needs to be improved. He agreed to thank the faculty and proposed a follow-up meeting since the Retter auditorium was filled last week.

Dr. Lewis thanked Dr. Clarkson on behalf of the Council for bring faculty together in a useful meeting. Dr. Clarkson responded that communication is a problem at UMSM and he hoped that town meetings and other means will bring improvements.

2. FACULTY CLUB: Dr. Lewis reported that he was encouraged when viewing the Sewell Building (also known as Hallassee Hall) as a site for a permanent faculty club. He suggested that the faculty be surveyed on the need for the club and thanked Dr. Clarkson for making this facility available. Dr. Clarkson continued that estimates are $1.5M to renovate the Sewell Building and over $4 M to move it. He said that plans are to remodel the building and to use all three floors. He noted that the Medical Faculty Association has taken the renovation of the Sewell Building as a project and thanked them for their continuing support.

3. CHAIR SEARCHES: Dr. Clarkson stated that there is an active search in Psychiatry and that he is seeking proposals from two candidates.

Dr. Lopez brought up rumors of a consolidation of the basic science departments and asked whether this has affected the chair search for Cell Biology and Anatomy. Dr. Clarkson said that met recently with faculty from the Cell Biology and Anatomy Department and also with advisors to discuss reorganizing the basic science departments. He explained that a goal of consolidation would be to put scientists together who do similar work but he emphasized that this idea is only in the germinal phase and needs to be explored. He said that he has asked a small group to make a preliminary proposal within two weeks and assured that any proposal would be discussed among faculty groups and then by the Faculty Council and Senate.

Dr. Ahmad added that letters are being forwarded to Dr. Clarkson from the Physiology and Biochemistry Departments. He said that rumors are causing discomfort among the basic science faculty. Dr. Clarkson responded that he met with the basic science chairs last week and that the concept is not a secret. However, he emphasized that he is not committed to any idea but is only looking for ideas. Dr. Fishman noted that the Research Task Force of the Council proposed several years ago that that there should be some reorganization of the basic science departments. Dr. Clarkson said that he would review this report and look also at how other schools organize their basic science departments.

4. HOSPITAL ACQUISITION: Mr. Deeley explained that the Trustees and President Shalala have asked that the university explore a relationship with the Mt. Sinai Medical Center. He said that a consultant has been hired by the University to advise in this matter and he believed that we will know within 30-60 days whether it is worthwhile to continue negotiations.

Dr. Younis expressed that faculty are dismayed that we did not acquire Doctor’s Hospital and wondered whether it is worthwhile to spend time and money on a Mt Sinai relationship. Dr. Clarkson answered that the acquisition process for Doctor’s Hospital did not fail. Rather it was the unwillingness of the Trustees to pay for this facility. He noted that Baptist Hospital recently paid more for Doctor’s Hospital than what was negotiated with UM which confirms that our process was reasonable.

Dr. Clarkson continued that we are seeking a university hospital that is complementary rather than competitive with JMH and that we need medical and governance control. He added that we seek an expansion of clinical research and a site for international health. His goal is a business plan that shows $15-20M of revenue that can be used for the School’s academic mission and he said that if these are not assured, then we are not interested. If there is no arrangement with Mt Sinai, then we will return to the idea that we should build our own beds but we cannot consider this until we have exhausted the opportunity to merge with Mt Sinai.

5. PATIENT SAFETY CENTER: Dr. Lewis informed the Council that the Miami Herald recently printed a positive article on the Center for Patient Safety. Dr. Clarkson added that at the next meeting of the University’s Board of Trustees, there will be a 2-3 hour session on patient safety led by Dr. Paul Barach. He said that a goal will be to educate the Board on patient safety and related issues.

6. SCHOOL COUNCIL: The next Speaker's Meeting of the School Council will be held Tuesday, February 17, 2004 at 5 p.m in room 1537 of the Sylvester Cancer Center. The next Dean's Meeting will be on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 at 5 p.m in the Sylvester Cancer Center, Room 1301. These meetings are open to all faculty, as are all Council meetings. The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

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