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MUSC administrators, staff members and employees heard an upbeat and optimistic response to news of a momentous decision by the S.C. Legislature to loosen the state's grip on day-to-day medical center operations.

They were gathered to a called meeting June 4 in the 2-West Amphitheatre.

“I feel pretty good about it,” said University Medical Associates CEO Marion Woodbury. “This has been a major accomplishment.”

He said the concern now is “Where do we go from here?”

Called the Medical University Hospital Authority, the bill enjoyed near-unanimous passage by lawmakers and awaits the signature of S.C. Gov. Jim Hodges. It would allow for greater flexibility in the management and operation of the medical center by exempting it from state procurement, capital improvement and personnel regulations.

“Now that the authority seems to be well on its way to being approved, we plan to solicit questions, ideas and recommendations from employees regarding how we can improve productivity and human resources policies,” said vice president for clinical affairs and CEO of the MUSC Medical Center, W. Stuart Smith.

“We don't envision an overnight change,” Smith said. “Instead, it will be a gradual and methodical process to take advantage of the flexibility and opportunities that the authority will give us. We are committed to ensuring the best interests of employees.”

“A ‘Me Issues' committee will meet over the next several months to formulate recommendations for new and revised policies,” said medical center administrator for integrated services Betts Ellis. “The committee will be soliciting questions and ideas and will prepare recommendations for new grievance and leave plans.”

Ellis said no one will lose any sick or annual leave that has already been earned. “The goal will be to establish an incentive-based leave plan similar to paid time-off plans at other leading medical centers. Other personnel policies will not be abandoned overnight, but will be fine-tuned as we move forward.”

Teaching hospitals across the country are in serious trouble, Woodbury said. “But we're in better shape than most, and not nearly in as bad shape as we have been. This is a clear victory we should all rejoice in.”

Once the bill is signed by the governor, it will be up to the MUSC Board of Trustees to implement it.

Ellis said that the S.C. Legislature in general has shown strong support for MUSC. “We should feel very good about that. I attribute that to the deep respect the legislators have for President Edwards and the outstanding job that has been done under his leadership in fulfilling our patient care, education and research mission.”