Twenty-five Columbus-based Ohio State University College of Medicine physicians and professors have signed a letter of "no confidence" in OSU Wexner Medical Center CEO Sheldon Retchin, MD, and his top executives, according to a report by The Columbus Dispatch.
Here are eight notes:
1. The letter, which spanned seven pages, was delivered to OSU President Michael V. Drake, Provost Bruce McPheron as well as the medical center and university's respective board of trustees' chairmen.
2. The letter alleges that Dr. Retchin and OSU Wexner Medical Center's top executives set "unrealistic clinical effort and research funding expectations that are incompatible with academic medicine," according to the report. This is hurting the staff morale and academic mission of both the hospital and medical college, they state.
3. Additionally, the letter contends that Dr. Retchin's leadership strategies are driving a wedge between the medical center and the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center, where Michael Caligiuri, MD, serves as leader.
4. The letter asserts that Craig Kent, MD, dean of the medical college, has also adopted Dr. Retchin's leadership style, which has resulted in delayed physician hiring as well as stalled contract renegotiations with existing staff members.
5. The letter also notes that 100 faculty members from the college of medicine express the same sentiments as the letter; however, only 25 members signed the letter due to fear of retaliation against junior faculty as well as family members of senior faculty.
6. OSU President Mr. Drake and Provost Mr. McPheron met with some of the letter's signatories. In an email after the meeting, the leaders stated the letter includes "facts and conclusions that would have benefited significantly from prior conversation," The Columbus Dispatch reports.
7. The university leaders will meet with the professors who signed the letter next week.
8. Dr. Retchin has served as OSU Wexner Medical Center CEO since 2014.