Hancock hosts inaugural town hall meeting
Executive Dean John Hancock hosted his first Town Hall meeting Jan. 30 in an online format. In addition to his update on the school, LaTanya Love, MD, dean of education, and Richard Andrassy, MD, senior vice president for clinical affairs and strategy, presented updates on the education and clinical missions, respectively.
In addition to providing updates on leadership positions, research expenditures, and finances, Hancock introduced Jagat Narula, MD, PhD, new executive vice president and chief academic officer at UTHealth Houston. Hancock also answered a number of anonymously submitted questions, including one about after-hours parking for postdocs. Postdocs are eligible for a reduced rate for after-hour and weekend parking for $30 per semester. To get this rate, bring your UTHealth ID badge to the parking office on the first floor of the UT Professional Building Garage (6414 Fannin). Scott Forbes, senior vice president of governmental relations, provided an update on the legislative session.
There were a number of questions that Hancock was not able to get to during the one-hour meeting. These questions and their responses are below.
As one of the funding institutions of the highly anticipated TMC3 campus, what is the plan for our engagement? Would you consider it an opportunity to increase the research profile of our school?
Yes, we look forward to joining the TMC3 Collaborative building, which will be open by fall of 2023. This will provide needed space and new collaborations for our researchers.
Since we are working from home now; is it possible to get a monthly stipend to offset our internet cost? $50 for hourly employees and $25 for those on salary?
From Human Resources: At this time, there are no university wide plans to offer a monthly stipend.
Can we get increased extra cycle family planning for progyn? I know two is offered, but what if the second cycle doesn’t end up with a baby. Thank you for the benefits, it has saved out family a lot of headache and financial burden!
Ericia Bryant, benefits analyst with Benefits Office, says: Currently only two smart cycles are covered under the plan, and any additional cycles will be fully at the patient’s responsibility. For additional questions regarding the fertility program, Progyny can be reached at: 844.535.0711.
Can the links for grand rounds be made available on the site so one can still learn even if the person is not in that posting or department? Thank you.
Chad Self, systems & applications specialist II, Enterprise Video, answers that CME covers a lot of things and there’s not really a central repository for CME videos. Individual departments may have recorded things that are or were used for CME purposes, but they aren’t always labeled as such and therefore may be hard to find if you are just trying to browse for CME videos.
Will we ever have a company-wide, all-employees invited holiday party? Appears that the departments with the biggest budget &/or high-profile physicians get the most perks.
From Human Resources: At this time, a holiday party continues to be a department’s decision, and there are no plans to host a company-wide holiday party.
When does the lease for Chick-fil-A expire? Had we known this was a “pop-up” version; we may have voted for another eatery.
Wes Stewart, vice president, Facilities, Planning & Engineering, responds: UTHealth Houston has signed a letter of intent with Chick-Fil-A to make it full service (construction of a kitchen and dining). We are now working on the final (food service agreement) contract and design. Since the contract is still being negotiated, I hesitate to give a schedule, but a rough goal would be to have full-service CFA a year from now.
Does the university offer hotel discount for personal travel?
Diane E. Cupples, manager, Food and Travel Services and Mobility Program Coordinator, responds: The university does not offer discounts. However some of the hotels provide discounted rates for State employees even if for personal travel (some let you use the government rates, too), which you can find on their websites or asking when you book a reservation (be sure to obtain confirmation that it extends to personal travel if it does not indicate on the hotel website). Corporate Travel Planners (CTP) agents 866-366-1142 can also assist, be sure to indicate it is for personal travel when you call. Our car rental contracts offer personal rentals at the discounted rate but will not include liability or LDW. https://inside.uth.edu/travel/auto.htm