Amid the leadership changes occurring at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Kansas City, Mo.-based Cerner is examining the proposed transition for R. Bowen Loftin, former chancellor of the university, according to the Columbia Missourian.
In recent weeks, the University of Missouri has become a hotbed of racial tension. Students have carried out demonstrations saying the school's administration has not adequately responded to reports of racism on campus.
Tim Wolfe, president of the University of Missouri System, and R. Bowen Loftin, chancellor of the University of Missouri, both stepped down from their positions.
Mr. Loftin initially said he would step down from his position and remain in a research role at the university, with the transition occurring at the end of the year, but the university system announced last week Mr. Loftin would instead exit the chancellor's office immediately, according to a St. Louis Business Journal report.
His new administrative positions are director of research facility development at MU and director of university research with the Tiger Institute for Health Innovation, a collaboration between the university and Cerner focused on using digital tools and developing technologies to improve care delivery.
In a letter to MU curators, Cerner requested any reference of the company or the Tiger Institute to be removed from Mr. Loftin's transition agreement until the institute's governing body has a chance to review the agreement. The Tiger Institute's board of governors is comprised of five Cerner members and five MU members.
"Cerner notified the [MU System] Board of Curators on Nov. 12 that we have concerns with the university's decision to act unilaterally in speculatively including the possibility of a supporting role for Dr. Loftin within the Tiger Institute," Cerner said in a statement. "This action does not comply with the governance structure for oversight of the Tiger Institute."
According to the report, Cerner did not previously know about Mr. Loftin's proposed role with the institute after he stepped down as chancellor.
The proposed role would have Mr. Loftin developing research programs and recruiting research faculty for the institute, according to the report.
"The Tiger Institute Board of Governors, with equal representation from Cerner and the university, will jointly determine any matters brought before the board, including any contributions to the Tiger Institute for Health Innovation that the proposed new role may have," Cerner said.
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