UCSD CAMPUS NOTICE University of California, San Diego |
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OFFICE OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR- HEALTH SCIENCES March 11, 1999 KEY ADMINISTRATORS/KEY SUPPORT STAFF SUBJECT: Update on Recent Health Sciences Initiatives Dear Colleagues, Because activities in the Health Sciences are integral to UCSD's overall teaching, research and public service missions, I would like to update you on some recent initiatives within our area. Our clinical system, UCSD Healthcare, faces major challenges, as the highly competitive local health care market continues to evolve. In addition, a review currently in progress indicates that several hundred million dollars will be required in the coming years to seismically retrofit and upgrade the infrastructure of our Hillcrest hospital, or to build a suitable replacement facility. Although UCSD Healthcare is currently financially sound, these factors require strategic planning for the future. One option we are exploring is whether collaboration with another local health care system will help us maintain long-term financial solvency and a diverse patient base of sufficient volume to support our teaching and research missions. For the past several months, we have been discussing a possible affiliation with Sharp HealthCare, focusing on whether our core missions could be interwoven and strengthened through partnership. This past weekend both institutions agreed that despite good-faith efforts, the discussions were unlikely to lead to a full partnership and should be discontinued. We will, however, continue exploring collaborations with Sharp and others on a program by program basis. Over the past year we have also been evaluating the program and facility needs within UCSD Health Sciences, with a view to enhancing our substantial research, teaching and clinical strengths. We have concluded that it will be important to our future as an academic medical center, a medical school, and a major research enterprise to expand the research and clinical strengths already established on the La Jolla campus. The medical, educational and research value of scientists and physicians working side by side is substantial; in fact this research/clinical partnership is interwoven throughout the School of Medicine's history. For now, our priorities are to complete our comprehensive strategic review of clinical and program needs to support all of our missions in the context of the San Diego health care market, and to conclude our study of Hillcrest's seismic and infrastructure needs. As part of this, we are evaluating program and facilities opportunities in La Jolla, and determining how we can continue to support the many vital programs now based at the UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest for all of the patients who depend on us, including the indigent and underinsured. We will keep you informed of future developments as our vision for the future evolves though discussions with our faculty, staff, students and community leaders. Sincerely, John F. Alksne, M.D. Vice Chancellor |