The Baltimore-based University of Maryland Medical Center has hired a new president to lead its Midtown Campus. The appointment comes roughly one month after a patient was found outside the hospital's emergency room wearing only a hospital gown in frigid temperatures, according to The Baltimore Sun.
Here are five things to know about the appointment.
1. Officials voted Monday to appoint Alison Brown, BSN, president of UMMC's Midtown Campus, effective March 5. She will report directly to UMMC's CEO Mohan Suntha, MD, according to the report.
2. Ms. Brown currently serves as senior vice president and chief strategy officer of UMMC's parent company, Baltimore-based University of Maryland Medical System, and is responsible for the system's marketing and strategic planning initiatives. She will continue in her position overseeing marketing and communications for the system while serving as president of UMMC.
3. In a statment to Becker's Hospital Review Feb. 13, UMMC said Ms. Brown will work closely with Brian Bailey, senior vice president and executive director of UMMC's Midtown Campus. Mr. Bailey is expected to leave the organization this spring.
4. Dr. Suntha said Ms. Brown's appointment was not a result of the Jan. 9 incident, in which a viral video depicted a 22-year-old hospital patient outside the ER barely clothed and appearing disoriented, the report states.
"A key strategic initiative for UMMC, set in motion last summer, is to fully integrate UMMC's University and Midtown hospital campuses, with efforts focused on providing a seamless patient experience across both hospitals, maximizing patient safety and outcomes, and realizing greater efficiencies in the delivery of care. In her new role at UMMC Midtown, [Ms.] Brown will oversee the execution of these ongoing campus integration efforts," UMMC said in its statement to Becker's.
5. Dr. Suntha said the hospital conducted an internal investigation into the incident and discovered a "breakdown in coordination" regarding the 22-year-old patient's care after she was discharged to "ensure the social needs of the patient were met," The Baltimore Sun reports. Hospital officials reportedly said individuals involved in the incident have been held accountable, but did not specify if anyone had been disciplined.
To access the full report, click here.
Editor's note: This article was updated Feb. 13 at 11:35 a.m. to include additional information from the University of Maryland Medical Center.