KURT SALMON ASSOCIATES DOING STUDIES AT MEDICAL BRANCH IN GALVESTON
Staff Reports
The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston recently hired Atlanta-based consulting firm Kurt Salmon Associates to conduct a market, facility and financial analyses after the branch was devastated by Hurricane Ike.
The Category 4 hurricane hit the Texas coast in early September and caused an estimated $700 million in damages to the branch’s main hospital and campus.
The consulting firm is expected to help develop a model that would restore a clinical presence to Galveston Island. In a prepared statement, UT System Interim Chancellor Dr. Kenneth I. Shine said: “We are committed to doing all that is possible to ensure a vibrant future for UTMB as it works diligently to restore its education, research and clinical care activities.” Kurt Salmon Associates is expected to report its recommendations by the end of January. UTMB plans to reopen up to 200 inpatient beds and an emergency room as soon as possible.
In the meantime, however, the UT system recently announced that it plans to lay off about 3,800 of the branch’s 12,000 or so employees. System officials say they have no choice in light of the fact that the branch campus is losing about $40 million a month since Hurricane Ike hit the coastal island.
The full content of this article is only available to paid subscribers. If you are an active subscriber, please log in. To subscribe, please click here: SUBSCRIBE
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.