September 2, 2009
Dear Tulanians,
A lot has happened since I last wrote you on June 25 about the discussions regarding a new medical complex in New Orleans. As you probably know, there is now an official agreement to develop the new University Medical Center in New Orleans. Gov. Bobby Jindal, LSU President John Lombardi, Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Alan Levine and I signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Friday, Aug. 28.
Much work is ahead of us as we work to finance and build the safety net hospital our community so urgently needs. However, I am delighted that we now have in place the structure to govern the new hospital with the appropriate controls and safeguards, including independent oversight that will guarantee it is properly managed and fulfills the needs of the community. Achieving this goal was Tulane’s primary focus.
Additionally, the MOU provides assurances for Tulane that its graduate medical education program will continue to be an integral part of the new University Medical Center, just as it was in the Medical Center of Louisiana in New Orleans, including Charity Hospital for 175 years.
I want to thank all of you who contacted your elected officials, wrote letters and supported Tulane as we worked through this process. The outcome is a very good one for all of us.
Sincerely,
Scott S. Cowen
President