Over the past few weeks, I have received questions about layoffs or jobs being eliminated as we continue to examine ways to increase revenues and reduce expenses. As part of our efforts to be transparent as an organization, I’d like to explain the actions we have taken so far.
Our leadership teams throughout UTMB—coupled with insights provided by the two consulting groups we’ve engaged, Berkeley Research Group and Huron—are looking at workflows and programs in an effort to reduce expenses. We are examining how we use supplies, reviewing leases and contracts, reducing practice variation in the treatment of in-patients and taking a closer look at work processes and the people necessary to complete our work.
UTMB has also adjusted staffing levels in targeted areas, and the resulting reorganization led to the elimination of 10 positions—one in research, five in the health system and four in institutional support—over the past few weeks. The positions were:
- Histology, Technician IV in the Department of Pathology Research
- Director, Care Management-Outpatient in the Community Health Program
- Director, Accountable Care Operations in UTMB’s Care Management
- Senior Administrative Manager in Hospital Administration
- Senior Communications Specialist in Hospital Administration
- Vice President, Chief Health Strategies Officer in Hospital Administration
- Director, HR Information Management in Human Resources Corporate
- Manager, Workforce Planning in HR Talent & Organizational Development
- Executive Assistant in Human Resources Corporate
- Director, University Events
The decision to eliminate these positions was not an easy one. Each person affected by this reorganization worked diligently to advance UTMB’s mission during their tenure here, and it’s always difficult to lose people who contribute so much to our efforts.
Despite our current challenges, however, I remain committed to avoiding across-the-board layoffs at UTMB, instead focusing on adjusting our workforce in targeted areas as necessary. We continue to review programs across our institution and will implement necessary changes following that review.
My commitment is to communicate changes to you as they occur or when new information becomes available. You can keep up with news about our financial situation and other topics in my new “Pulse” video series, which is available online at https://www.utmb.edu/president/pulse, and summarized in the Weekly Relay Notes.
I remain confident that by working together, we will weather this current financial challenge and continue to focus on our important mission work in education, research and patient care.
Thank you.
Dr. David L. Callender
President