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Regents Complete Internal Review Of UA Medical Schools, Requests New Business Plans

By Mariana Dale
Published: Wednesday, October 26, 2016 - 1:47pm

The University of Arizona's medical schools in Phoenix and Tucson have been under increased scrutiny this summer after the departure of six senior officials from the Phoenix campus and questions about the use of public funds.

The board that oversees the state’s public universities issued instructions to the UA's president at a meeting today to create a "comprehensive business plan" for the medical schools.

Chair Greg Patterson said in a prepared statement, the plan should address financial planning, accreditation compliance, the role of the colleges' clinical partnership with Banner Health and “advance the university’s ongoing internal oversight of climate and organizational issues at the colleges of medicine.”

The university  will be responsible for regular updates the board on these issues.

Patterson said an internal report of the colleges was completed and reviewed by the board.

“Nothing in that counsel report suggests that any addition board inquiry is needed, internal controls are in place and we will enhance reporting requirements for the board," Patterson said.

A board spokeswoman said the report will not be made public and members of the board declined to comment regarding the report or the new reporting requirements for the University of Arizona.

Earlier this summer, the Arizona Medical Association requested an investigation of the school after the dean and several academic leaders resigned and took jobs at a medical school in Texas. Chris Sigurdson, a UA spokesman, said in June the departures did not seem unusual given the school's desirable staff.

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