The exterior of Banner University Medical Center.Officials from the University of Arizona College of Medicine answered questions from the Arizona Board of Regents concerning leadership, financials and other concerns amid growing scrutiny of the university’s two medical schools.
Attention directed at the schools has intensified following the 2015 affiliation with Banner Health, the exodus of senior management at the College of Medicine in Phoenix and the Arizona Medical Association’s call for an investigation into the institution.
In response, the regents convened the second of two meetings to look into operations and plans.
Board of Regents President Eileen Klein said the first meeting brought many more questions to the fore.
“These questions and concerns are far more troubling,” said Klein. “Information has been brought forward that raises questions for us about the ethics of our leaders, the use of public moneys, the accuracy of information documented in public records and the workplace culture and treatment of employees.”
The Arizona Republic reported last week on travel expenses billed to the university by UA Health Sciences head Skip Garcia, including upgraded airline seats and chauffeured trips between Tucson and Phoenix.
Regent Rick Meyers said a big part of the problem is communication.
“No wonder people don't understand what we’re doing,” he said. “They’re hearing about spending quote taxpayer dollars on a limo driver instead of hearing about $100 million of new money brought in and other things that are happening.”
He called the issue a distraction.
“That’s why we’re getting letters and things, because people are reading crap like that and thinking it’s important,” Meyers said.
Several people spoke in support of Garcia during Friday’s public meeting.
The Regents will likely hold another hearing on the medical schools in the coming weeks.
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