Dean's Message

Message from Dr. Ganzel April 10, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

By now I assume you have seen the note from the President’s Leadership Team about the financial situation that the university is facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The message is sobering and while we must not panic, we must take it very seriously and implement certain actions to ensure our future health and sustainability as an institution.

Our president’s leadership team is approaching it thoughtfully, with deep regard for our students, faculty and staff.  I assure you that I am and will be in constant communication with the president, provost and other senior leaders as we navigate this issue. This financial issue will affect every corner of the university, but especially our unit due to the impact on clinical revenues. 

As outlined in the leadership message, the UL senior administrative team, including myself, will be taking voluntary salary reductions at least through June 30.   Regarding the 10-5-2% tiered employee salary reductions, faculty at the School of Medicine are more complicated in view of the clinical salary component in addition to the UL salary component for clinical faculty.  Further complicating factors include funding from grants and contracts and salary from the VA. We will need to closely define the specific details of our salary reduction plan that includes consideration of each of the above components.

My leadership team and I will be meeting to further discuss the best ways for our School of Medicine to ensure a firm financial footing in the coming year.  I will communicate with you as soon as I have information to share.

I invite you to raise any questions, concerns or suggestions with your immediate supervisor. I will expect them to share those comments with me, and I will in turn voice them to the senior leadership team.

I want to thank each of you for your continued efforts and resilience during this unprecedented and challenging time for our university and our world. I am inspired by the positive attitude with which you are addressing this situation.  I look forward to working with you to navigate past this time of crisis and return to focusing on developing our 2023 Strategic Plan.

Respectfully,

Toni M. Ganzel, MD, MBA
Dean of the School of Medicine
Vice President for Academic Medical Affairs