The Truth About UTMB:
A Special Message to The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Community
Dear Colleagues:
I want to take this opportunity to express the University of Texas System’s gratitude and sincere appreciation to each of you for your hard work over the last several months as efforts continue to rebuild UTMB. Without your support and the assistance of other organizations and colleagues from across the state and nation, the institution would not be making such tremendous strides in restoring the education, research and clinical activities in the wake of such devastation and turmoil. President David Callender and his leadership team should also be commended for their tireless efforts during this difficult time.
I would also like to use this opportunity to emphatically state the UT System’s commitment to the health and longevity of UTMB.
Given the tremendous efforts and hard work during the recovery process over the last several months, and after repeated public statements by UT System officials supporting UTMB, it is extremely unfortunate that some in the news media repeat and attempt to give credibility to unfounded rumors and absolutely incorrect statements about the future of UTMB. Such actions and statements are not helpful for the institution and Galveston community and in fact undermine our joint recovery efforts. I feel compelled to set the record straight with each of you.
- At the October 7 UTMB Town Hall Meeting, I stated unequivocally that there were no plans to move UTMB to Austin. That is the case now, and there has at no time been any such plan. Additionally, there has been no diversion of resources from UTMB to other UT System institutions; on the contrary, other campuses have been helping to support UTMB in many ways, for which we are grateful.
- There is no plan to dismantle or systematically move UTMB elsewhere. As I stated publicly at the town hall meeting, at the dedication of the Galveston National Laboratory, and at a special legislative hearing on December 3 (see my testimony and that of President Callender here http://www.utsystem.edu/news/2008/UTS-KIS-UTMB-IKE-Testimony-12-03-08.html ), the Board of Regents and UT System are committed to rebuilding a strong and financially-sound academic health center at UTMB.
- Neither the UT System nor UTMB have declined any offers of operating resources from any source. As is customary in disaster recovery efforts, the UT System is working diligently with FEMA to procure federal assistance. The UT System endowments are devoted by law to specific uses and cannot be used for wages and benefits at UTMB. Furthermore, State funds are not channeled through the UT System; the Legislature appropriates funds directly to each individual component institution within the system.
The research and educational programs on the campus have been largely restored, albeit with some off-island rotations by students and residents. Such rotations have long been the case for students, and with the restoration of hospital facilities on the island, both students and residents will have future opportunities there.
UTMB and the UT System are committed to operating a hospital facility on Galveston Island. The principal controversial issue has been the size and the program for that hospital. The immediate goal is to restore 300 beds, including 100 correctional managed care beds, as soon as possible. There will also be a trauma center on the island, though this will take additional time and resources to open. The commitment is to sustain the scope of clinical activities necessary to support first class medical education and research.
Kurt Salmon and Associates, an Atlanta-based consulting firm, is currently evaluating the overall patient care enterprise of UTMB. The firm is expected to finalize its report by the end of January. Ultimately, there is a goal of restoring an additional 200 - 300 beds, for a total of 500 - 600 beds, but it is very unclear where these beds should be located (either on the island or on the mainland). That is the principal question being asked of our consultants.
That said, given the level of devastation at the current hospital, there is no possibility of opening a 500- to 600-bed hospital in the near future on the island. The restoration of 200 beds continues to be challenging, but we hope the process will be expedited with the temporary kitchen and other infrastructure support.
In the interim, the campus can take great pride in the delivery of more than 1,000 babies since Hurricane Ike made landfall.
The reduction in force on the campus has been very painful, but necessary if UTMB is to survive. UTMB employees involved in the reduction in force will have been compensated continuously for at least four months since Hurricane Ike at a time when there was insufficient income to cover that payroll. The necessity to conduct this reduction in force was done precisely to avoid the bankruptcy of the campus and so that it can be restored to fiscal stability for the future.
We will be seeking substantial emergency funding from the State to compensate for the huge losses incurred since the hurricane and additional funds to prepare for the future. A credible long term plan for the hospital will be needed to plan for that future.
In any case, the goal has been and will continue to be to rebuild UTMB so that it can reach its full potential. The dissemination of falsehoods and inaccurate statements can only serve to demoralize those who are working tirelessly for the future to which we all aspire.
The UT System Board of Regents and UT System leadership remain resolute in our commitment to rebuilding UTMB so that it will have a vibrant future. We know many of you share that vision and we look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.
If you have questions, you may contact me via feedback@utsystem.edu.
Sincerely,
Kenneth I. Shine, M.D.
Interim Chancellor and Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs
The University of Texas System