LLUAHSC SCOPE Summer 2001

Board of Trustees actions highlighted

[SCOPE, Summer 2001]

October 23, 2000 (full session)

Loma Linda University

* The Loma Linda University Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Lawrence C. Sowers, PhD, as chair and professor of the department of biochemistry and microbiology in the School of Medicine. The Board also approved the appointment of Penelope Duerksen-Hughes, PhD, as professor of biochemistry and microbiology.

* The Board approved the transitional doctor of physical therapy degree by the School of Allied Health Professions.

* The September financial statements were presented to the Board of Trustees showing a $27,000 below-budget figure. A report of the closing enrollment figures for the past five years was presented. A policy regarding interdivison employee benefits was approved. This policy allows only those faculty on the denominational pay scale to be eligible for the benefits.

* Dedication services for the Ortner Building, the new Geoscience Research Institute building, were held October 23.

* Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center legal counsel Kent A. Hansen, introduced associate legal counsel Dulce Peña, to the Board of Trustees.

* The Board of Trustees voted to express appreciation to University president B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS, and the administrative team for their diligence and dedication.

* The Trustees reaffirmed by unanimous vote support for the seven themes which express the University mission statement and are the framework for LLU's strategic planning.

February 6, 2001 (full session)

Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center

* The Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center Board of Trustees appointed Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, as chancellor of Loma Linda University. A search committee for a new dean of the School of Public Health will be formed by the end of the month.

* The constituency for LLUAHSC appointed a new Board of Trustees for LLUAHSC, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda University Medical Center, and Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center.

* The LLUAHSC Board of Trustees reappointed the officers and administrators of the LLUAHSC organization. In addition, the LLUAHSC Board approved the following appointment/job title changes:

Gerald A. Ellis, MBA, from vice president & interim chief operating officer, LLUMC, to senior vice president & chief operating officer, LLUMC.
Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, from dean, School of Public Health, LLU, to executive vice president for University affairs, LLUAHSC, and chief executive officer & chancellor, LLU.
Steven Mohr, from controller, LLUMC, to vice president for finance, LLUMC.

* During the five years, 1996 through 2000, the net assets of Loma Linda University have increased by $100 million. University Health Care has increased by more than $3 million and the two School of Medicine corporations by $4.5 million. The Medical Center and the other entities have had a slight decline in net assets or no growth.

* The total net assets of LLUAHSC have increased from $451 million in 1996 to $559 million in 2000.

* During the span from 1996 to 2000, the amount of temporarily restricted net assets in LLUAHSC has increased by more than $58 million. In the permanently restricted areas, the increase has been more than $31 million. The combined total increase of $89 million in these two areas represents a combined total of nearly $234 million of restricted assets.

* The University's external debt has been reduced from $16.8 million in 1996 to $2 million in 2000. The Medical Center debt has been reduced from $317 million in 1996 to $285 million in 2000. The external debt for other LLUAHSC entities has been reduced from $3.7 million to $2.3 million. At the end of the 1996 fiscal year, the LLUAHSC entities had a combined external debt of more than $337 million. Since then, the debt has been reduced by almost $49 million.

* When all LLUAHSC entities are combined, the debt-to-asset ratio has declined in the last five years from 33.6 percent to 26.3 percent and is approaching the median of the 106 integrated academic medical centers.

* All LLUAHSC entities had a positive margin in the year 2000. The Medical Center closed out the year 2000 with an increase in net assets prior to unrealized losses on other than trading securities of $1,673,991, bringing the comparable year-to-date gain to $8,002,241. The Medical Center also met the revised cash covenant requirements as of January 1, 2001.

* The Trustees approved the Graduate School offering of a post-baccalaureate certificate program in clinical ministry.

* A certificate program in respiratory therapy, offered through the School of Allied Health Professions, was approved by the Board of Trustees.

* The Board of Trustees approved the emeritus status of Richard E. Beltz, PhD, professor of biochemistry.

May 22, 2001 (full session)

Loma Linda University

* LLU chancellor Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, announced to the Board of Trustees that 1,058 degrees will be conferred from the University's schools in seven graduation exercises.

* Gary E. Fraser, MD, PhD, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics, reported that the Adventist Health Study has been funded an additional $18 million.

* The University Trustees approved the following new programs:

Certificate in polysomnography, School of Allied Health Professions; associate in science in speech-language pathology assistant, SAHP; bachelor of science in health sciences, generic University degree; master of arts in religion and the sciences, Graduate School; combined doctor of philosophy degree in social policy/master of arts degree in biomedical and clinical ethics, GS; and doctor of philosophy in social policy and social research/master of social work degree in social work, GS.

* The Trustees approved the proposal for the Center for Emergency Medical Services Education and Research, based in the School of Allied Health Professions.

* The North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists trust services certification and accreditation committee granted Loma Linda University a "level A" accreditation, without audit, for a period of three years.

* A number of new Board committees have been established for the University: academic and scientific affairs, building and properties, finance and audit, legal affairs and compliance, and student affairs.

May 23, 2001 (full session)

Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center

* Faculty members from the department of radiology presented a report to the LLUAHSC Board of Trustees about the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges and opportunities of imaging.

* The Board approved a major expansion and renovation of the 20-acre east campus area including the Community Medical Center and the Outpatient Rehabilitation Institute.

* A number of new LLUAHSC committees have been established: advancement and public affairs, compensation, diversity, finance and audit, legal affairs and compliance, outreach (local and global), research affairs, and spiritual life and wholeness.

May 23, 2001 (full session)

Loma Linda University Medical Center

* The Loma Linda University Medical Center Board of Trustees approved the following appointments:

Michael H. Jackson, MPH, was appointed senior vice president and administrator of the east campus.
Zareh Sarrafian, MBA, was appointed senior vice president and administrator of the Children's Hospital.

* The 2001 operations and 2001 to 2006 strategic plan was approved by the Board as presented.

* A nursing recruitment/retention plan was presented. The Board commended the nursing staff for their dedication and granted the executive committee authority to approve the final recommendations for nursing recruitment and retention.

* An information management plan was approved by the Board as presented. The Board commended the department in their continued progress toward operational excellence.

* A number of new LLUMC Board committees met prior to the full board session: board committees are building and properties, finance and audit, legal affairs and compliance, and quality.

May 23, 2001 (full session)

Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center

* The Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center received two microturbines valued at approximately $100,000 as funded by the Air Quality Management District. This will reduce the consumption needs from Southern California Edison with a potential savings of between $75,000 and $100,000 annually in utility expenses.

* The strategic plan was approved.

* The Trustees received a report of the activities of the volunteer services at the BMC. The Trustees commended the volunteers for their hours of service given to the institution.

* A number of new board committees have been established for the BMC and met prior to the full board meeting.

[SCOPE, Summer 2001]