Health care, specifically the future of the University Medical Center, has drawn much attention on campus over the past few months. Following Medical Center budget and staff cuts, the University Board of Regents is reviewing options for the hospitals and the Medical School. Given that about 40 percent of the University budget goes to the operation of the Medical Center, the hospitals are a concern for the regents. Olivia Maynard, a Democratic candidate for regent, said the regents elected this year will likely play crucial roles in determining the future of the University Medical Center. Maynard said she knows changes will have to be made.
Entities have to be flexible to change.
Maynard said maintenance of the quality of patient care and opportunities for research must be top priorities in the decision-making process. Maynard and other regent candidates tout their experiences as strengths to vote on. Her service as director of the State Office on Aging and with the University's Turner Clinic has provided her with hands-on experience with the health care industry, Maynard said. She said her familiarity with health care issues could only be an advantage in making decisions for the University Hospitals. He has been involved with University Medical Center budgeting for 24 years.