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Currents Medical Center Employees: We were very pleased to have President Ray Greenberg at the June 19 communications meeting for an update on initiatives throughout MUSC and to address questions. Among other things, he indicated that we have made great progress in improving our budgetary situation.  It should be noted that Dr. Greenberg, with his exceptional communication skills, has been successful in gaining the attention of our elected officials regarding the financial pressures MUSC has experienced as an academic health center. All indications are that our state budget reduction for FY 2001/2002 will not be as much as the reductions for other state higher education institutions.  In recent months, our management team has sought to generate ideas on how to make our workplace more attractive. Perhaps the most readily available tool we have, at little or no cost, is the day-to-day recognition for a job well done . . . and we cannot do too much of this. In terms of more tangible forms of recognition, our budgetary and physical plant limitations have a direct bearing on the options that we have available.  The flexibility gained with the Hospital Authority enabled us to develop the performance pay plan that was previously announced. More recently, based upon input from throughout the organization, we have sought to enhance other “work life” issues as we prepare to move into the new fiscal year. At our June 19 communications meeting, Marilyn Schaffner, interim administrator, Clinical Services, updated the management team on our pilot holiday pay differential plan for the Hospital Authority's “designated holidays” beginning July 4. We have been unable to consider such a plan in the past due to state rules. Considering the cost of our performance pay plan and other factors, our holiday differential will be limited . . . but we are hopeful that it will provide a tangible token of appreciation for employees’ dedicated work. Details are outlined below. Additionally, in concert with the university (academic division), we have carefully revisited the parking rates in view of the inconveniences that remote parking locations place on a large component of the Medical Center workforce. Again, our budgetary situation and other funding-related requirements limit our ability to make broad-based changes. But, as a gesture of appreciation, the registration fee for employees who park in the Hagood facility will be discontinued in the near future. Also, the monthly parking fees for employees with spaces in the Harborview Office Tower and the adjoining Lockwood Drive lot will be reduced from $35 to $20. The MUSC Parking Management department will be releasing details soon. Thanks to all for a job well done. W. Stuart Smith Vice President for Clinical Operations and  Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center   Fiscal outlook improving, institutional advancements in store President Ray Greenberg praised the management team for the great progress made in addressing MUSC's budget situation during the past year —a condition of reduction, sacrifice and constraint that has not daunted the institution from moving forward with its vision for expansion and development of key elements of the enterprise. Speaking at the June 19 communications meeting, Greenberg said he projects that MUSC will end this year with a balanced budget representing a $40 million turnaround from last year and a more than $70 million improvement from more than two years ago. “It's remarkable that we are projecting to be in the black this year,” he said. “I congratulate everyone for their hard work and sacrifices.” The combination of a freeze on new hires (except for essential positions) and deferrals of equipment purchases and travel restrictions throughout the university and Medical Center have contributed measurably to the balanced budget. Greenberg also noted that MUSC will fare better than other state institutions regarding reductions in state support, which currently constitutes 15 percent of the Medical University’s annual budget. Most colleges and universities are facing state funding cuts of 10 percent or higher. By contrast, MUSC is expected to receive a 3.5 percent reduction in funding. MUSC, he said, has been successful in making its case to elected representatives for receiving special consideration given the extraordinary financial pressures endured as a result of the federal Balanced Budget Act of 1997, discounted private health insurance and the growing number of medically uninsured patients. Recently, Greenburg and Layton McCurdy, M.D., vice president for Medical Affairs and dean, College of Medicine, met with S.C. delegates in Washington, D.C., on the issue of regional inequities regarding hospital reimbursements. Medicare reimbursements have historically been lower in southern states. Greenburg advocated a reallocation of funds from other states to make it more equitable. “It was all very, very positive. I left feeling encouraged,” he said. Greenberg spotlighted areas of planned growth and expansion including: Construction of the $36 million Children’s Research Institute Expansion of Hollings Cancer Center Revitalization of the Center for Aging Development of an interdisciplinary neuroscience institute that will encompass neurosugery, neurology, psychiatry, radiology, and physiology Development of the Center for Advanced Imaging Research Greenberg encouraged the management team to contact him by e-mail if they have any questions, comments or suggestions. Nurse rides 400 miles on bike, encourages giving Jamie Boehl, R.N., appealed to the management team to make a contribution to the Health Sciences Foundation, Heart Transplant Fund, to help relieve the financial burdens that transplant patients face. As unit coordinator for the Heart Transplant Clinic, Boehl said she sees firsthand the troubles caused by the financial strain on transplant patients and their families. Medications alone cost up to $12,000 annually for the immunosuppressants necessary to prevent organ rejection. Boehl’s commitment to raise money for the cause started small, with bake sales. June 8 -15, however, she engaged in a 7-day, 400-mile solo bicycle ride across South Carolina to raise money and awareness for heart transplant patients who need financial help to stay alive. She shared a televised video of her trip and spoke of future fund-raisers, including a golf tournament and a silent auction. Boehl is actively seeking contributions to the silent auction and the campaign in general. She can be contacted at 876-0364 or make your tax-deductible check payable to the Health Sciences Foundation, Heart Transplant Fund and mail to: 18 Bee Street, P. O. Box 250450, Charleston, S.C., 29425. Second Quarter AREA Applause Award announced Robbin Middleton, clinical associate, radiology, was recognized by a patient and other staff members for offering a ride home to a patient as well as a ride to the store to pick up needed supplies ordered by the physician. Middleton’s supervisor said she displays the highest level of teamwork and support to her other staff members. Middleton received a gift certificate; her name will be placed on a plaque that hangs in the Medical Center. Retention strategies announced Marilyn Schaffner, interim administrator, clinical services, explained the new pilot policy regarding employees working on designated holidays. Effective July 4, holiday differentials will be authorized for eligible hourly paid (nonexempt) Medical Center (Authority) employees in “permanent” and temporary positions.  This policy will be in effect during Fiscal Year 2001/2002. Holiday differential for eligible employees shall be for all productive hours of work during the 24-hour period of the designated holiday(s). Holidays will be observed (on the actual holidays) in accordance with the holiday schedule, to include weekdays and weekends. Holiday differential will be in addition to any other differential including shift and weekend differential. Eligible employees who work on a holiday may also elect to “cash-in” a PTO day for the holiday worked. The holiday differential pay applies only to productive (worked) hours on the designated holiday. Any PTO “cashed-in” for a holiday worked is to be paid at the base rate. Classification Holiday Differential Registered nurse; medical technologist; chemist; pharmacist; radiology technologist; physical therapist; occupational therapist; respiratory therapist—$2/ hour.  All other classifications—$1/ hour.  Holiday differential guidelines will be disseminated through e-mail and posted on the Medical Center intranet under “Human Resources Policies.” CCIT completing E-mail audit The Center for Computing and Information Technology (CCIT) is completing the process of purging names from the system of users who no longer work at MUSC. Dave Northrup, director, Healthcare Computing Services, urged managers to sort out current users who may log in only occasionally so that their names aren't inadvertently erased from the system. For more information, contact CCIT at 792-9700.