Letter of the day (May 22): U's Medical School

Updated: May 21, 2011 - 8:14 PM

hide

University and community leaders celebrated the groundbreaking for the Cancer/Cardiovascular Research Building.

Photo: University of Minnesota,

Camera Star Tribune photo galleries

Camera view larger

resize text
print
buy reprints

Tweet
share

email
Email share

your name

your email

recipients email

+ add a comment add a comment

Last week, nearly 200 University of Minnesota and community leaders celebrated the groundbreaking for the Cancer/Cardiovascular Research Building, the latest in the university's Biomedical Discovery District.

The event recognized both the legacy and future of our health sciences. It also allowed for reflection on the public and private support that makes our continued success a reality. In April, the new Amplatz Children's Hospital opened its doors.

This month, 1,000 health sciences graduates will be launched into service and practice. These events depict the real story of the university's Medical School. They stand in stark contrast to a Star Tribune article that raised questions about the Medical School's finances ("Money crunch wounds U Medical School,'' May 1).

I remain deeply concerned that words used in the article imply a situation that's simply not grounded in fact. The university's health sciences represent a $1.44 billion enterprise. Yes, we were affected by the Great Recession.

And yes, 15 percent of our budget represents state funding, and promised cuts will lead to another round of difficult decisions for all of us. But we've made the tough decisions necessary to ensure financial stability. Minnesotans have high expectations for our university.

I want to ensure all of them that the Medical School remains on solid financial footing and is positioned to continue its 160-year tradition of educating physicians for our families and communities.

DR. AARON FRIEDMAN

The writer is vice president for health sciences and dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School.

get related content delivered to your inbox

manage my email subscriptions

resize text
print
buy reprints

Tweet
share

email
Email share

your name

your email

recipients email

+ add a comment add a comment

about opinion
The Opinion section is produced by the Editorial Department to foster discussion about key issues. The Editorial Board represents the institutional voice of the Star Tribune and operates independently of the newsroom.
Submit a letter or commentary