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Currents At the recent MUSC Board of Trustees meeting, I gave an update on our preparation for the MUSC Hospital Authority's implementation. Among other things, I reported that we are in the final stages of preparing a procurement policy for construction.  According to the Authority Act, this policy must be approved by the state Budget and Control Board. We have had good dialogue with the senior Budget and Control Board staff concerning the key provisions of the policy. Our plan is to present the policy to the Budget and Control Board for approval at their May meeting. I also reported that core human resources policies have been prepared, and that we will soon conduct a communication campaign regarding the Authority's new paid time off plan. Our board approved the purchase of four digital ultrasound systems for the Radiology Department. These much needed new ultrasound systems will replace aging technology. On another matter, the Me Issues Committee was appointed in May 1999 to provide recommendations for a new grievance procedure and paid time off policy for the Authority. This committee has done an exceptional job in developing recommendations. The grievance policy was approved months ago, and we are in the process of appointing grievance committee members. The paid time off plan highlights were discussed with the managers at the April 18 communications meeting, and a follow-up “mini-training session” will be conducted at the April 25 communications meeting.  Managers will then schedule meetings to distribute information and discuss the Authority's paid time off plan. Additional information is outlined below. Thank you very much. W. Stuart Smith Vice President for Clinical Operations and Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center Managers to disseminate brochure explaining grievance policies Betts Ellis, administrator for Integrated Services, thanked the Me Issues Committee for their work in developing recommendations for the MUSC Hospital Authority's grievance and paid time off policies.  The committee members are as follows: Susan Beason, Children's Health; Adell Bell, Adult Echo Lab; Cindy Brown, Radiology; Josie Craig, Occupational Therapy; Gail Hale, Central Supply; Stacia Lancaster, Laboratory Services; Phyllis Malpas, Digestive Disease Center; Raymond Manigault, Radiology; Joan McPherson, NNICU; Sherry Miller, Ambulatory Care; Dolores Reynolds, Children's Health; Phyllis Watson, Respiratory Therapy; Audrey Wilder, Ambulatory Surgery; Cindy Williams, Patient Access Services; and Laurie Zone-Smith, Clinical Services Administration. The full Me Issues Committee and its subcommittees met more than 25 times to work on recommendations for the grievance and PTO policies. Managers will disseminate a brochure that explains the PTO and grievance policies to all Medical Center employees. The brochure also will address a variety of Me Issues questions. Departmental meetings and other general meetings will be scheduled to discuss the paid time off plan. The PTO policy will outline methods for initial conversion of our current leave plan to PTO, as well as basic policy elements such as eligible employees, accrual rates, maximum leave usage and the leave approval process. Interpretive memoranda will be issued to clarify provisions of the PTO policy as we move forward. The Me Issues Committee will meet periodically in the future to monitor implementation of the PTO policy.