Dec. 6, 2010
In a packed town hall meeting in GW’s Ross Hall on Friday, President Steven Knapp and Provost Steven Lerman spoke about phases one and two of the multiphase Medical Center review underway and answered questions from faculty, staff and students.
The second phase, to be completed by the end of the spring semester, will be guided by recommendations developed by a team of independent experts from BDC Advisors, who have completed an organizational assessment based on more than 30 interviews with stakeholders.
Dr. Knapp told approximately 300 attendees that the process is a “positive moment” in the history of the university.
“The focus of this plan is on the future,” said Dr. Knapp. “We’re looking into how we can position the Medical Center and all its programs to achieve the greatest possible success for the future.”
“What we’re doing now, in moving forward with phase two of the review, is preparing for a future that we know will be challenging, but a future in which I’m confident that we will achieve our aspirations and will continue to grow as the critically important academic center devoted to health and medicine in the heart of the nation’s capital,” added Dr. Knapp. “We will continue to move on the trajectory that our leaders have set us on, and I’m very glad that you all will be a part of that process moving forward.”
At the town hall meeting, Dr. Knapp announced that Senior Vice Provost and Vice President for Health Affairs John “Skip” Williams has determined that the process should proceed without his direct involvement and has notified him of his intention to begin a year-long sabbatical in January. Last month, Dr. James Scott announced his intention to step down as dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences in January and return full time to the faculty to ensure the independence of the next phase of the review.
“I am very grateful, both personally and on behalf of the entire university, for the tremendous service that both Dr. Williams and Dr. Scott have devoted to this institution,” said Dr. Knapp to sustained applause.
At Dr. Knapp’s request, Dr. Lerman has formed an advisory committee to facilitate the phase two review process. The advisory committee will hold its first meeting next week.
Dr. Lerman discussed a few of the recommendations presented by BDC Advisors and said considering change in the Medical Center’s organizational structure will help the center tackle the “new challenges” facing the health field today.
“This is very much an exercise in moving forward,” said Dr. Lerman. “I think we’re going to emerge from this a stronger and more agile and nimble organization. We will more effectively face the health care challenges of the future, elevate GW’s research and academic stature even further, and really build on the strengths the current structure has created.”
The multiphase review was requested last May by the Medical Center Committee of the Board of Trustees in view of the approaching 10th anniversary of the creation of the center’s current structure, the changing conditions of the health care marketplace as a result of local competition and health care reform legislation, and the university’s commitment to raising the center’s academic stature.
Additional town hall meetings are being scheduled as phase two of the review proceeds.