The University of Virginia Board of Visitors has called a special meeting next week to discuss the investigation into two key UVA Health employees.
An outside firm was hired to conduct an independent review of allegations raised by colleagues pertaining to K. Craig Kent, UVA Health chief executive officer, and Melina R. Kibbe, UVA Health chief health affairs officer and the UVA School of Medicine dean.
The BOV meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 25, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Rotunda board room.
There does not appear to be any action items included on the agenda for the open session of the meeting. However, the closed session is to consult with legal counsel regarding the investigation into matters alleged by the School of Medicine faculty.
“Such consultation may also require discussion of the performance of certain personnel and discussion of proprietary business related and competitively sensitive information pertaining to the operations of the medical center,” according to the agenda.
Professors, healthcare workers demanded ‘immediate removal’ of leadership
In September, 120 professors and healthcare workers demanded the “immediate removal” of Kent and Kibbe alleging they created a culture of fear and retaliation.
The five-page letter, originally published on the Cavalier Daily’s website, was delivered to the BOV on Sept. 5.
The letter alleged compromised patient safety, patient safety and public concern, devaluing the academic standards of promotions and tenure, excessive spending on executives, a failure to be forthcoming on significant financial matters and violating the approved code of ethics.
The letter also said Kent and Kibbe subjected residents to bullying and harassment.
The pair responded in an email to UVA Health and School of Medicine employees saying it was “difficult to read stories and accusations that don’t reflect the culture we have built and are striving to mature.”
The email continued: “We spend every day working for the betterment of our health system and the university, and the many communities we serve.”
ICYMI
- UVA Health allegations to be reviewed; findings will have very limited audience
- Review promised in response to letter seeking resignation of two top UVA employees
UVA President Jim Ryan said in a letter to medical school faculty that he would reserve “final judgement” until the independent review was complete. He said the letter was “daunting” with “many accusations” and “few details.”
“Even though it is difficult to investigate generalized and anonymous claims of wrongdoing, without specific details or names to follow up with, we will do our best to investigate,” Ryan wrote. “We will then take the appropriate steps based on what we find. Once the dust of this particular controversy settles, we will figure out how best to move forward as a community.”
Ryan said he did not think the letter gave a full picture of Kent and Kibbe and their contributions to the medical community.
“I have worked together closely with the two of them for the last several years. What is described in that letter is not a full or fair representation of who I have seen. It also does not give them any credit for the remarkable work they have done to strengthen the health system.
“My inbox, meanwhile, is overflowing with testimonials from some of the 1,200-plus faculty who did not sign the letter, who attest that the health system today — under Melina and Craig’s leadership — is in the best shape it has ever been in, and that they have addressed changes that have needed to be made for more than two decades.
“I have learned from experience that change is difficult.
“At this point in time, I find it difficult to believe that the right answer here is to force yet another change in leadership, only to bring in new leadership who will inevitably fail to satisfy 1,400 faculty members and thousands more health system team members.”
The final report was to be shared only with Ryan and the Board of Visitors.
The special meeting will not be streamed live.
There will be no opportunity for unscheduled comments from the public at this meeting.
The Rotunda board room is located at 1826 University Ave. in Charlottesville.
Transgender care on the agenda this morning
The UVA Board of Visitors is also meeting this morning to discuss Donald Trump’s executive orders and how they pertain to the university.
It is expected the meeting will primarily address UVA Health’s decision to resume gender-affirming care for anyone under the age of 19. After two separate court rulings issuing a temporary restraining order against the EO, UVA Health resumed care for transgender youth on Feb. 14.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s office allegedly told VCU Health in Richmond that an order issued by Attorney General Jason Miyares to discontinue care in response to the EO “still stands” despite the court rulings.
Fourteen of the 17 members of the BOV were appointed by Youngkin.
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Chris Graham
