Today, Gov. Mark Parkinson announced an additional 2 percent cut to the Kansas Board of Regents' budget. This will amount to a $2.2 million cut in KUMC’s state general fund and $50,000 reduction for the Kansas Medical Student Loan program, which will not affect students enrolled for the next academic year. On the Lawrence campus, it will amount to a $2.77 million cut from the state general fund.
These cuts are in addition to the $12.1 million that we have already cut for FY2010 on the KUMC campus, and approximately $15 million cut on the Lawrence and Edwards campuses.
The KBOR and KU officials were not surprised by these cuts, as we knew overall tax revenues were down. In order to address the current budget gaps, the KBOR raised tuition by 6 percent last week, and KU will also be using resources from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (federal stimulus package). We are still identifying additional cost reductions and efficiencies since federal funding will not be available after 2011.
To discuss this more in-depth, I have scheduled a budget forum at noon on Wednesday, July 8, in Alderson Auditorium on the Lawrence campus, to which everyone is invited.
In Kansas City, people can watch the forum in the G013 SON Auditorium, and in Wichita, people can view the forum in the Wichita Room. On the Lawrence and Edwards campuses, people can view a live stream of the meeting. A recording of the event will be posted on KU’s YouTube site.
Together, we will work to become a stronger university through the budget crisis.
Jared Grantham, MD, (left) University Distinguished Professor, recently received the Jean Hamburger Award, which recognizes outstanding research in nephrology with a clinical emphasis, for his work in polycystic kidney disease. Congratulations, Dr. Grantham.
Research
Congratulations to Jana Zaudke, MD, who received the KAFP Resident Research Award at the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians annual meeting a few weeks ago.
Paula Cupertino, PhD, assistant professor in preventive medicine and public health, has recently received approximately $740,000 from the National Institutes of Health for reaching and treating underserved Latino smokers. Congratulations, Dr. Cupertino.
Community
The Medical Center campus is joining forces to participate in the Susan G. Komen Kansas City Race for the Cure on Aug. 9 by raising money for breast cancer research. If you need assistance with registering, please contact Paula Baum at 8-1017. Registration information.
All first-year School of Medicine students can now register online for M1 Volunteer Day.
Education
Melissa Chenoweth, MD, a family medicine resident at Wesley Medical Center, and Lacie Gregory, MD, a family medicine resident at Via Christi, have received two of just 10 Bristol Myers Squibb Excellence in Graduate Medical Education Awards in the United States. Congratulations, Drs. Chenoweth and Gregory.
Other Items of Interest
Tickets and sponsorships for the annual KU Medical Center Gala, which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 17, are now available by contacting Kelly Hutsell at khutsell@kumc.edu or 8-2695.
Registration for the KUMC Alumni Reunion Weekend, taking place Oct. 16-18, is now available online. Register here.
The Program in Integrative Medicine's new kitchen is now open and will give patients, faculty, staff and students the opportunity to learn healthy cooking techniques and recipes. See class calendar.
Kudos
Congratulations to all of the Medical Center faculty members who received promotions and tenure, effective July 1. See a list.