Tensions are brewing between Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Erlanger Health System and the Memphis-based University of Tennessee College of Medicine over control of the institutions' teaching program, according to the Times Free Press.
Here are five things to know about the situation.
1. The issue came to light last November after Erlanger's board of trustees passed a resolution directing Erlanger's executive management to review and take control of the hospital's affiliation with the medical school, citing UTCM's alleged noncompliance with parts of the agreement.
2. The Times Free Press obtained a copy of Erlanger's grievances regarding the contract. Erlanger took specific issue with the fact medical residents training at Erlanger are completing their rotations at hospital sites not previously included in their 10-year binding agreement, which the organizations signed in August 2014.
3. The 2014 agreement states both sides must resolve disputes reasonably when possible. However, if they are unable to come to an agreement, a committee comprising representatives from both institutions has 30 days to resolve the conflict before involving a third-party mediator, according to the report.
4. The organizations had yet to resolve the issue as of a Jan. 25 board meeting, two months after the resolution was passed.
5. Officials told the Times Free Press ongoing discussions between the medical school and Erlanger are "positive" and "ongoing," the report states.