University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, an academic health center in Little Rock, notified affected employees Monday of its plan to cut an estimated 600 positions to meet its budget for the upcoming fiscal year, according to KATV News.
Stephanie Gardner, PharmD, interim chancellor of UAMS, said in a letter to staff obtained by KATV News the job cuts came after the "extremely painful realization that we can't meet our budget without also eliminating jobs."
Dr. Gardner said UAMS must cut in excess of $30 million in expenses for its fiscal year, which ends in June, to comply with the budget previously approved by the University of Arkansas board of trustees, according to the report.
The bulk of the university's funding comes from the affiliated hospital and clinic, rather than from the state. In previous years, the university has addressed budget shortfalls with its reserve funds, but officials said the institution is quickly depleting its resources, the report states.
Of the 600 clinical and nonclinical positions being cut, 258 jobs are currently occupied. Dr. Gardner said human resources representatives will help affected employees find jobs elsewhere.
To read Dr. Gardner's full letter to UAMS staff, click here.