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Brian Morelli, "Robillard to Fill VP Spot"

[Note: This material is copyright by The Gazette, and is reproduced here as a matter of "fair use" for non-commercial, educational purposes only. Any other use may require the prior approval of The Gazette.]

  ‘‘The theme of this integration is patient welfare, patient service,’’ Fethke said.

  Dr. Jean Robillard, the medical college dean, will take on additional duties as vice president for medical affairs. Donna Katen-Bahensky, UI Hospitals’ chief executive officer, was named associate vice president for medical affairs. She will report to Robillard, who will report to the UI president.

  The regents unanimously approved the organizational shift at a meeting in Urbandale. Regent Mary Ellen Becker of Oskaloosa said supporting the change was easy.

  ‘‘Not only is it a good plan, but knowing the people involved in it certainly gives me a lot of confidence in the ultimate success,’’ she said.

  Regent Bob Downer of Iowa City, who heads the regents’ UI Hospitals committee, said he supports the changes but the board must monitor the situation closely. ‘‘We can be supportive but also be watchful of the details because of UI Hospitals oversight and money issues,’’ he said.

  The structural change will be in place for three years and then be re-evaluated.

  Robillard and Katen-Bahensky’s salaries will remain the same but new salary recommendations could go to the regents later, Fethke said.

  The change puts a greater emphasis on the integration of patient services and streamlined clinical functions at University Hospitals’ multimillion- dollar enterprise, and UI physicians group and the medical college’s non-academic functions.

[Note: This material is copyright by the Press-Citizen, and is reproduced here as a matter of "fair use" for non-commercial, educational purposes only. Any other use may require the prior approval of the Iowa City Press-Citizen.]
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The Iowa state Board of Regents on Thursday approved Carver College of Medicine Dean Jean Robillard to fill the Vice President for Medical Affairs position.

Robillard will keep his position as dean during the three-year appointment. He will report to University of Iowa Interim President Gary Fethke. Fethke said he will update the regents in the near future about salary compensation and how the position would function. Robillard currently is paid $433,222 annually.

Robert Kelch, who left in 2003 for the University of Michigan, last occupied a similar position.

While that position oversaw all five health science departments, Robillard will focus on integrating patient functions between the College of Medicine and University Hospitals. Fethke said he was particularly interested in using the position to develop a clinical Information Technology system and ambulatory clinics.

Iowa City Regent Bob Downer requested that UI report to the regents for board approval as to how the position's duties will be fleshed out.

Regent President Michael Gartner of Des Moines said he hoped the position could eliminate duplicity in patient care, provide transparency of finance to the board and coordination of strategy for the state.