Another high-ranking physician announced plans to leave the Columbus-based Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. His departure follows at least 10 prominent individuals who have left the institution to pursue opportunities elsewhere since January 2017.
Oncologist Carl Schmidt, MD, will leave OSU Wexner for WVU Medicine, effective in July, the Morgantown, W.Va.-based health system announced April 3.
According to The Lantern, Dr. Schmidt is at least the seventh high-ranking employee to depart OSU Wexner specifically for WVU Medicine since last January.
In discussing his transition to WVU Medicine, Dr. Schmidt said, "I feel there is a swelling of positive energy and forward direction at the WVU Cancer Center. When I met with the leadership, they were aligned on the same focus on people, most importantly the people from West Virginia who need the care. They are very aligned in their goals, and there is a togetherness in the leadership."
His comments mirror those of other former OSU Wexner employees who chose to leave the institution. John Campo, MD, the former Sinsabaugh Professor and chair of the department of psychiatry and behavioral health at OSU Wexner, previously told The Lantern he and his wife, who was also a high-ranking employee at the university, chose to leave partially because of executive leadership's failure to address faculty members' concerns. Dr. Campo and his wife were scheduled to leave the institution in March, according to The Lantern.
However, in an emailed statement to The Lantern, Dr. Schmidt said his experience at OSU Wexner played an important role in preparing him for his new role at WVU Medicine.
"The Ohio State University and our medical center are very important to me," he wrote. "The mentorship, support and experiences I've had at OSU are the reasons I'm ready for a leadership opportunity. I am incredibly thankful to all of my colleagues, and I have great pride in what we have all accomplished together over 10 years."
To access The Lantern report, click here.