January 12, 2010
Medical Faculty Senate Steering Committee
Meeting Minutes
January 12, 2010
Attendees: Jill Barren, M.D., M.B.E., Greg Bashaw, Ph.D., R. Michael Buckley, M.D., Emily Fox-Conant, M.D., Emma Furth, M.D., Peter Kanetsky, Ph.D., Michael Levine, M.D., Jonni Moore, Ph.D., Victoria Mulhern, Deborah Sesok-Pizzini, M.D., Eileen Shore, Ph.D., Joseph Straton, M.D., Susan Weiss, Ph.D.
Guest: Dr. Arthur Rubenstein, Dean, School of Medicine
Dr. Furth began the meeting by introducing the guest speaker, Dr. Arthur Rubenstein, Dean of the School of Medicine. Dr. Rubenstein thanked the steering committee for the invitation and stressed the importance and value of the committee. He provided an overall assessment of the School of Medicine stating that things are going reasonably well based on his interactions with his peers around the country.
Dr. Rubenstein stated that the School had slowed the hiring of faculty and staff to adjust to the economic challenges. The School has been very successful in its continued recruitment of top students and faculty. He reported two recently recruited department chairs for orthopaedic surgery and ophthalmology and that chair searches are underway for the departments of pathology and laboratory medicine and dermatology.
Dr. Rubenstein also mentioned that the relationship between the School of Medicine and the University is excellent and the relations with The Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania have steadily improved. The floor was then opened for questions from the committee.
In response to a question about maintaining or reducing the per unit cost of providing care, Dr. Rubenstein stated that Penn Medicine has an integrated budget and that budget rolls up to the University. The 2010 SOM budget is the same as the 2008 budget and the administrative costs have been reduced by 5%. He further explained that at the budget meetings with departments, patient care, education and research are discussed.
A question was raised about the VA Hospital and the recent patient care issues with radiation therapy procedures. Dr. Rubenstein acknowledged that this is a difficult and troublesome issue and goes back a long time. Systems and methods have been put in place so these issues cannot occur again and the impacted patients are being well cared for. He said he views the VA as an important partner with Penn Medicine. Dr. Brian Strom was appointed three years ago to invigorate the relationship with the VA and a search is underway for a new Director of the VA.
When a concern was raised about compromising quality assurance because of operating with less staff, Dr. Rubenstein stated that maintaining safety and quality for patients is a high priority. He expected that safety and quality standards will be maintained and suggested that any concerns should be addressed within the department or with Dr. P.J. Brennan.
Issues with information technology were also discussed. Dr. Rubenstein reported that IT is a constant challenge; it is expensive, rapidly changing and important. He further stated that the research infrastructure needs a lot of work and there is a need for improved integration across systems. There is currently a search for a new position of Chief Medical Information Officer.
A question was raised about professional development for academic clinician faculty. Dr. Rubenstein responded by saying that there should be no restrictions as long as it fits with any School and/or University restrictions. He also reported that by March or April there should be an updated research strategic plan. He thanked the steering committee again for the invitation to meet with them and the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Joseph Straton, M.D.
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