The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees today (Monday) unanimously approved a budget exception request to the State Budget Office for the Casper Family Medicine Residency Center (FMRC).
The request will allow UW to establish and fill 32 new clerical staff and health care support positions in the Casper clinic and permit the university to collect and spend generated revenues to support some of the new positions and other clinic operations.
UW sought trustee approval for a budget exception request to prudently prepare for a laikely transition at the Casper FMRC, which has been affiliated with the Community Health Center of Central Wyoming (CHCCW). UW and the CHCCW are preparing to transition from their current relationship to one in which they operate separate clinics.
"This approval was pivotal in preparing for the upcoming transition in which UW and CHCCW are very likely to operate as two independent entities," says UW Provost Myron Allen. "UW's top two priorities are seamless quality of care for the patients in Casper and a strong, accredited educational program for our medical residents. The exception request prepares UW to accomplish both of these objectives."
The current affiliation agreement runs through June 30 at the Casper FMRC, located on A Street near Wyoming Medical Center. UW and the CHCCW continue to negotiate transition plans beyond July 1.
The offices of the Provost and Vice President for Administration at UW have identified internal, non-legislative funding to equip the clinic. The CHCCW owns most clinical equipment and employs most of the non-physician staff needed to operate the clinic.
UW plans to work through a transition plan with CHCCW's executive committee next week and is determined to ensure a smooth transition for clinic patients, says David A. Driggers, director of medical education in the College of Health Sciences.
"We are intent on doing this in a professional manner with the CHCCW," Driggers says. "That's the only way to ensure a successful transition for our patients in Casper."
