The University of Toledo Medical Center likely will need to partner with another health-care provider to address a “mismatch” in the large size of its medical school versus its smaller clinical operation, said Christopher Howard, a finalist for the position of UT president.
The president of Hampden-Sydney College, a private, all-male college in Virginia, addressed about 70 university staff, faculty, students, and community members today in the second of two forums to be held during his multiday visit. Mr. Howard, one of three candidates for the top spot, wraps up his visit today with a closed-door exit interview with UT’s board of trustees.
At a morning forum, Mr. Howard said the next UT president will be tasked with working with leaders from the former Medical College of Ohio to develop a model that ensures the hospital’s clinical enterprise is big enough to support the academic mission of the university. Currently, student enrollment puts the medical school in the 70th percentile nationally while the academic medical center is among the smallest in the nation.
RELATED ARTICLE: UT candidate Howard says service a priority
“That’s a mismatch that I think has been clearly articulated. It seems to be unsustainable and will most likely have to be addressed by engaging in a partnership with another health-care group,” he said.
He pointed to his work with the biopharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb as providing him with some insight into the medical profession.
The next president must also work with UT leaders to continue to improve patient and student satisfaction, Mr. Howard said, noting changes brought on by the Affordable Care Act.
“Funding patients in indigent care has very, very thin margins, but it is imperative to us as a civil society to get that right,” he said.
Mr. Howard kept his remarks brief, speaking for about 10 minutes, before turning over the rest of the roughly one-hour forum to questions from the audience.
Asked how he would manage the university’s finances amid dwindling state support, Mr. Howard said he would avoid taking a “slash and burn” approach that rips apart the institution.
“But we all know that in any institution there’s opportunity to make it run more smoothly and more effectively and more efficiently,” he said.
A UT search committee chose three finalists for the presidential position to bring to Toledo for interviews. Last week, former West Virginia University Provost Michele Wheatly toured campuses, spoke at forums, and met with various university groups.
University of Arkansas Provost Sharon Gaber will participate in public forums at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in University Hall at the main campus and at 8:30 a.m. Friday in the Collier Building at the Health Science Campus.
First Published February 24, 2015, 4:30 p.m.
