Feb. 20, 2008: A New Structure for Success

I’m writing to follow up with the entire campus community on the new organizational structure announced at today’s Town Hall meeting. You can learn more about the structure itself on this web site, but I want to take this opportunity to touch on the thinking behind the changes.

During my first six months as president, I have been meeting with individuals and groups throughout the institution, as well as with Galveston community leaders, regional partners, and friends and supporters throughout the state. This new organizational structure reflects not only what I’ve heard about where our greatest opportunities for success and improvement lie, but also my experience with similar structures that have served other great university health science centers.

As in any time of change, I know that people are apt to feel unsettled and have questions about what this means for them and their co-workers. First let me address what this new structure is not. It is not about workforce reductions or budget cuts. It is not about cutting services. And it does not represent a major organizational shake-up.

It is a retooling of how we do business and how we position ourselves for success in the future — making sure we function more effectively as an organization, with our mission, vision and strategic priorities firmly in mind. It is a structure that is designed to align and centralize functions, streamline decision-making, and provide frontline employees with the resources they need to be more effective and feel more fulfilled as professionals.

Between now and Sept. 1, I will be asking the individuals in new or expanded roles to work together to ensure a smooth and successful transition, continue the important work that needs to take place day in and day out, keep critical initiatives moving forward, and begin the budget process for the new fiscal year.

Although the changes become effective immediately, it would be unrealistic to expect everything to fall neatly into place overnight. Throughout the coming months, senior leadership will be paying careful attention to what’s working well and where adjustments may be needed.

When all is said and done, UTMB’s future will be determined by how all of us— leaders, faculty and staff—work together to achieve the institution’s goals. This new organizational structure is just a tool to ensure that we’re able to do so with maximum effect.

If you have any questions in the coming weeks, please don’t hesitate to contact me or the person to whom you report. And, again, I thank you for your efforts to help UTMB achieve its mission of defining a future that will provide better health to all.

Sincerely,
David Callender, M.D.
UTMB President

If you missed the Town Hall meeting or want additional information, here are some related resources:

• See the presentation from the meeting (pdf format).
• See the new organizational chart (pdf format).
• Watch a brief video summary of the meeting. 

The full meeting is currently being prepared for rebroadcast. It will play back on campus TV channel 53 for approximately two weeks starting Feb. 21.

The full Town Hall will also be posted online to this site starting Feb. 21(in windows media format).

The meeting will also be made available on DVD; please call (409) 772-2618 to reserve or request a copy. 

Questions can be submitted via email at town.hall@utmb.edu