Michael Hicks, Executive Vice President, Clinical Affairs, emailed the following to all team members on Nov. 6, 2017:
In September I wrote to outline our approach and plans for transforming the UNTHSC clinical practice. Our goal is to position the clinical practice as a clear example of One University, so it truly becomes an asset to UNTHSC. Today I want to provide an update on our progress.
Historically, the clinical practice depleted significant reserves by offsetting operating and other losses in the various clinics; these reserves no longer exist. Based on significant operational improvements driven by frontline team members and clinical faculty, as well as changes in recent months in key leadership, expense management and control processes, our clinical practice group achieved a net positive financial position for FY 2017. Additional improvement initiatives are underway around supply chain management, team talent development, patient experience, clinical quality and medical record systems. In the coming months, we will build on this positive momentum to launch new services focused on UNTHSC employees and new offerings delivered in affiliation with our partners.
Additionally, we have made great progress on transitioning to a performance-based model for clinical faculty compensation. Practice expenses are now tied to revenue generation and production (clinical and research). Academic costs are assigned to the respective schools. We are now tying clinical costs (i.e., patient care) to productivity and key outcomes (e.g. practice citizenship, quality, safety and patient experience). These changes enable incentive alignment for clinical faculty compensation. We will work with clinical faculty and operational leaders to refine this model to affect a smooth transition and minimize disruption.
The responsibility for oversight of our clinical functions continues to undergo needed change. The changes are based on the following recognitions and ambitions:
• We are intent on creating and operating as a truly interprofessional Clinical Practice Group that includes all of our clinical disciplines.
• The Clinical Practice Group has three fundamental missions – clinical education, clinical research and care delivery – and we are deeply committed to each.
• The Clinical Practice Group must support our four pillars, in particular demonstrating strong financial performance to ensure viability and contribution to UNTHSC fiscal security.
• The modernization of our UNTHSC clinical enterprise requires an organizational structure that can support its functions for all stakeholders.
• Developing and executing an ambitious strategy for enhancing and evolving our Clinical Practice Group demands active focused leadership and commitment to our values.
• The clinical care, clinical trials, interprofessional practice model and clinical education within the Clinical Practice Group must be closely connected to and aligned with other parts of UNTHSC and our partners, specifically, a closer integration with each of our schools and educational programs.
• The integration of care delivery, clinical education, and clinical trials of UNTHSC continues to add great value now and has even greater potential for the future.
To fulfill these responsibilities, effective immediately, Dr. Eric Beck will assume the position of President of the Clinical Practice Group. In this capacity, he will continue to report to the UNTHSC President through the EVP for Clinical Affairs. He will continue to work closely with the UNTHSC Provost and Chief Financial Officer for academic alignment, budgetary matters, operational performance and will be responsible for the clinical enterprise functions of UNTHSC.
In his new role, Dr. Beck is responsible for the oversight, strategic development, and integration of the Clinical Practice Group with other clinical enterprise functions. These include the UNT Health self-insured plan, 1115 Waiver operations, clinical trials and professional services of the recently updated Clinical Service Research and Development Plan (CSRDP). Dr. Beck will also Chair a newly formed CSRDP Board of Directors. Its membership will include Deans from each of the UNTHSC schools, key administrative and functional leaders, as well as leaders from community partners and affiliated organizations.
Also, Dr. Jeffrey Beeson will assume the role of Chief Medical Officer, and Brandy Sparkman-Beierle will continue to lead administration and clinical operations and report to Dr. Beck. Additionally, we are installing clinical leaders – a distinct group, separate and unique from academic department leadership – to lead each clinical service unit and each group of professional practitioners from our schools and programs. We anticipate that our clinical practice will soon include community partners and affiliate providers as well.
These changes have created a broader and more robust leadership team. They will greatly increase the ability of the deans, clinical faculty, administration and our affiliated partners to support our clinical education programs through a more contemporary practice that authentically models what we espouse – interprofessional collaborative practice, integrated clinical research with outstanding quality, safety, patient experience and strong financial performance.
Dr. Beck and I welcome opportunities to address questions and receive feedback as we work collectively as One University to create solutions for a healthier community.
Dr. Michael Hicks
Executive Vice President, Clinical Affairs