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Improving culture topic of Dean's Town Hall

Focusing on the culture of the Medical School, Dean Giuseppe Colasurdo held his second town hall meeting Monday, Feb. 25.

Dean Colasurdo said he has discovered the incredible environment and culture of the Medical School, which hinges on good communication at all levels.

“We have a great foundation, but we need to be engaged, working together,” he said.

High faculty and staff turnover rates have shown a need to set clear expectations and to improve communications, he said.

“A faculty survey from the AAMC shows we don’t do a good job in career development, which is a communication issue if faculty don’t know the promotion process,” he said. “Leaders must communicate to their people.”

Dean Colasurdo acknowledged that a change in culture takes time and resources. “We must have resources to retain people and grow to support people and research. A fair compensation plan is for everyone, not just the faculty,” he said.

He noted that the strength of the research enterprise, which is approaching $200 million in expenditures for the UTHSC, and pockets of outstanding departments must now make an effort toward stronger internal collaborations.
“Our programs must be collaborative. There is a renewed effort to bring all of the six schools together in new partnerships,” Dr. Colasurdo said.

Dean Colasurdo spent much of the meeting answering questions -- the first one about what has changed within UT Physicians to cause such improvement. “The strongest message there is accountability,” he said. “Departments are accountable for their clinics, and we must have an accountability-driven incentive plan that is very transparent, fair, and credible. If you deliver your best, it will be rewarded.”

He also addressed plans for the Medical School’s new research expansion space, which includes four investigators on the fourth floor, with two additional recruits in progress; the Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology on the third floor, with new chair Dr. John Hancock coming on board July 1; the second floor will focus on infectious disease; and Dr. Narayana (neuroimaging) with a strong stem cell research group  will be on the first floor.

“If we have enough resources, we will fill the facility by the end of the year,” he said.

Expounding on the concept of scholarly concentrations, Dean Colasurdo said this structure will help to transition students into an academic world by giving them early, individualized exposure in specific specialties. We hope to have students in these colleges supported through scholarships.

Looking to the future of the Medical School, Dean Colasurdo emphasized maintaining relations with our partners, Memorial Hermann, the Harris County Hospital District, and the state. “With flat state funding, we have to have a strong financial performance of our group practice plan,” he added.

He also spoke of increased marketing efforts of both the school and UT Physicians through redesigned Web sites and a referral directory.

“If you have an outstanding experience with UT Physicians, share that. We need to keep our medical business in the system and to share good news,” he said.

-D.  Brown