Hospital Drama
Forget General Hospital, ER or even Grey’s Anatomy … the real medical drama coming soon to your local TV set could very well be the one involving the Medical University of South Carolina and its current leader, Dr. Ray Greenberg.
Ever since the hospital announced that it would furlough select employees to help cover alleged “cuts” in its budget, MUSC employees have been calling us to “drop dimes” on Greenberg left and right – accusing their leader of personal and professional improprieties that, if true, raise serious questions about his character and judgment.
In fact, South Carolina’s State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has reportedly been investigating some of Greenberg’s various management decisions.
Questionable personnel moves, suspicious cash outlays, vacations masked as official travel and a botched marketing campaign for an underused, poorly-designed $600 million hospital are just a few of the allegations that have been made against Greenberg over the last few days.
Also, millions of dollars have allegedly been spent on a bogus “internal excellence” program at the school, a program one MUSC physician described as nothing more than “Greenberg’s Gestapo.”
“The staff is scared to death because if you tell him something he doesn’t like, you’re fired,” this physician told us.
“Employee satisfaction surveys?” another MUSC staffer joked sarcastically. “They are more like employee intimidation surveys. If you fill them out wrong, you are retaliated against.”
Part of a program called “MUSC Excellence,” the school has spent by some estimates as much as $8 million on these various internal “accountability” measures over the past four years.
Of course, “accountability” doesn’t seem to be in Greenberg’s vocabulary, judging from some of the stories we’ve been told about his “leadership” at MUSC.
The brand new $600 million Ashley River Tower, for example, has dozens of rooms that are unusable during the summer months because of a design flaw involving the hospital’s ventilation system. Additionally, patients have to be wheeled into the emergency room from the street because the facility’s ambulance bays were improperly designed.
“It has a nice art gallery, though” one hospital staffer told us derisively.
Beyond the $600 million spent on the 156-bed facility (compared to the $90 million Roper St. Francis spent on a 146-bed facility a few years back), the outsourced marketing plan for the facility is said to have cost at least $2 million – and failed miserably to achieve any of its goals.
Then there’s Greenberg himself, who lives as high on the hog as any state employee we’ve ever seen.
For starters, MUSC’s president is said to receive rent payments on a school-provided residence that he doesn’t even live in – all while he and his wife bounce back and forth between their posh home on Sullivans Island and a mountain home outside of Asheville, N.C., riding comfortably in a brand new taxpayer-provided SUV, no less.
Apparently, Greenberg’s wife didn’t like the residence the college provided for them and wanted something more befitting of their stature in the community.
But it’s not just trips to Asheville that have MUSC employees concerned about how the school’s money is being spent.
Of all the rumors of financial mismanagement, though, the one we heard the most about is apparently deeply personal in nature.
Multiple sources have told us that Greenberg is having an improper relationship with a female employee at MUSC, an employee he is said to have created a special position for which conveniently bypassed established state hiring procedures.
Our sources declined to identify this employee by name, except to confirm that she occupies a “high-profile position” at the school and is one of the nearly 400 MUSC employees who draw more than $100,000 in state salary each year.
(That’s right … nearly 400 MUSC employees earn more than $100,000 a year).
Greenberg is also said to have allocated resources for the specific purpose of building a new office for this employee, who was awarded a full professorship despite the fact that she doesn’t teach a class or publish anything academically.
Needless to say Greenberg, who is obsessed with his public image, has been up in arms over the leaks.
For example, the story of his Virgin Islands vacation – which was broken exclusively here on FITS last week – prompted his office to launch what one source called an “internal witch hunt,” particularly after it started breaking in local mainstream media outlets.
Initially, Greenberg thought the leaks were coming from Gov. Mark Sanford’s office – ostensibly in retaliation for a recent newspaper column Greenberg wrote that was critical of the governor.
Since then, however, he is said to have acknowledged that the leaks are coming from his own institution.
Amazingly, despite employing a nine-person public relations staff, nobody at MUSC seems capable of calling us back to refute or explain the claims we’ve heard.
Developing …
Comments
By saltysam on November 28th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
The ally cat’s loose now, isn’t it?
By Grey King on November 28th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
“our sources”
My sources say that you’re full of shit. Seriously, multiple sources! I’ve got sources galore that say you’re wrong. So many sources!
Wait… what? Cite my information you say? Identify my sources? No! I’ll just keep inventing sources so I look credible.
By James the Foot Soldier on November 28th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
There’s an idea for folks to furlough: The nine person public relations staff.
That should save a few of the temporary workers from being furloughed that were probably taking care of patients.
Which begs the question: Why in God’s name does an institution which operates as close to a monopoly as an electric company require “public relations” to increase its revenues?
By lisa on November 29th, 2008 at 9:08 am
MUSC has always been poorly run, poorly managed, dirty and tasked to train physicians to take care of me and you.
Doctors that graduate from MUSC vary from bad to ok, but it’s doubtful you’ll find excellence, the kind that sets anyone apart anyway.
More often, sick people go to get ” diagnosed” at MUSC and come out not knowing any more than they did when they went in.
When I worked there, you could literally watch the roaches crawl all over the food carts.
By Heather on November 29th, 2008 at 10:34 am
But if they furloughed the Public Relations department, who would fitsnews have as a source?
By WMD on November 29th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Grey King: You do not even know the half of it. But at least Sic(k) Will at last will get what he deserves this time. Why did he not name the woman? Because he cannot prove any of this which is GAME OVER.
Sic(k) is VERY friendly with a certain MUSC government affairs officer. VERY friendly. Wouldn’t surprise me if all of this information originated as pillow talk between them. What say you, Sic(k)? Why don’t you tell us about your little blogger groupie turned informant turned LOVER?
That is right. Will Folks will rail on other people’s morals but he is cheating on his wife all the time to get information like this.
Sic(k) you should have had this ‘ho checked out first. She ratted you out to her masters even faster than she ratted out her masters to you.
By reprobate on November 29th, 2008 at 10:59 am
good question, Heather. One thing for sure, they would save 900 thousand bucks.
By Not Impressed on November 29th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Look, MUSC is poorly run. So is the rest of state government. I am glad Mr. Folks is on the case…but when will we leave theory and get down to the nuts and bolts of management.
Until we do that, expect more and more of the same. Our government is broken, and we need real leadership to fix it.
By MUSC Anon on November 29th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Under Greenberg’s leadership at MUSC, the College of Medicine has nose-dived. Tuition funds are being used to prop up the worst “lecturers” (often with very little understanding of the relevant subject material) who fail to get research funding so they can continue at MUSC. Transfer students from unaccredited Caribbean medical schools are being enrolled as third-year students to raise funds. Meanwhile, tuition rates continue to rise while our rankings fall even lower.
Sure, MUSC can pay for ART…but at what cost?
By nope on November 29th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
With the romance rumors, whatever. How many of the nearly 400 MUSC employees who make over $100,000 per year are doctors? Do you really think it’s unreasonable for someone with a medical degree to earn that much?
By Lisa on November 29th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
My friend works in PR at MUSC; don’t thrash them, they’ve been through hell. Looks to me like someone is trying to blame them when the truth is they aren’t being given all the info they need to do their jobs. Check your facts before posting crap. Their budget is state funded- look it up.
By betweenthesheets on November 29th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
I must admit. I am among Will’s many lovers. He’s quite a stud — and busy — able to provide some pleasure while purging his sources. I have been boinking him — for pleasure — while I also have provided a little 10 second relief to Dr. Greenberg on occasion. Never shared much with Greenberg, because he’s either way to distracted with his own words or too quick on the, you know, to get any info.; then he’s distracted — again. Tough life being a ‘ho to cheap, busy and “driven” guys.
By sandy on November 29th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Lisa, no one with any real insight is blaming public relations, marketing, or the foundation. PR, like reporters, often are the bearers and barricades of bad news. From what I hear, PR has been well informed. But this particular series of public expression is beyond the control or salvation of any public relations or lobbying control. Surely, blame will be dispensed. Eventually the mirror will reflect upon the paranoid and distressed and deflect whatever blame that may be forthcoming.
By James the Foot Soldier on November 30th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
The savings from “cutting to the bone” the public relations staff would far exceed $900,000. These folks have to justify their existence with slick brochures, television and radio spots, etc. My WAG wouild put the savings closer to $3 million – with ZERO impact on patient care.
Keep those savings in mind for when the shit hits the fan in January for the next round of mid-year budget “cuts”.
By Murrow in mind on November 30th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I agree with Sandy. PR is suppose to protect the organization, not individuals who may be doing unethical things.
By James Betram on November 30th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
As an employee of MUSC, it is important that the public understand the inside view of the recent furloughs at MUSC. First, the furloughs only affected non-clinical workers. We are short on these personnel at the current time and have been asked to turn off the lights and computers when possible. The reasons that we are in this situation:
1. The state budget cuts – necessary due to decreased tax revenue.
2. Poor performance at the new Ashley River Tower (ART). The ART has not been able to generate revenue. It is really nice but probably too nice for a public hospital. Might perform better as a hotel given the waterway views!
The first letter suggested that the physicians take a pay cut prior to the support staff at the university. First, the public should know that the average physician salary at MUSC is about 125,000 to 150,000. Now, this sounds high. However, it is important to realize that this is about 1/3rd of the average salary of a physician (with similar number of years in practice) practicing in the community. Thus, MUSC physicians already take a 2/3rd’s pay cut to serve the public in a state hospital. MUSC physicians work the same number of hours as community physicians while also teaching students from all disciplines and conducting research.
We have some ongoing concerns however:
1. The president plans to continue with some buiding projects on campus. These projects aim to build two new buildings on G lot: Bioengineering Building and a Pharmaceutical Discovery Building. Now, MUSC has secured monies from the state that have to be used for these purposes. However, MUSC does not have the funds to equip and maintain these buildings. I am doubtful that we can even afford to turn on the water or power to these buildings. Many of the faculty do not support these buiding projects.
2. There is serious concern about the financial viability of the ART. These concerns have led to the university seeking vendors to lease space in the main ART building to raise capital. One who enters the buiding immediately realizes the beauty of the building, however, there is a lot of dead space in the building that is not contributing to a net financial gain. In other words, atriums are nice but they do not generate revenue. It is my understanding that the Board of Trustees was most disturbed that MUSC went from operations in the black to operating in the red with the opening of the ART. This is possibly due to above mentioned problems (ambulance bay too small to accomiodate ambulances, no staffing to open hospital without traveling nurses, ect). However, we are not hearing that this facility has started operating in the black. At one point there was an estimate of a 2 million loss per month (possibly up to 3.5 million/month). Recently, clinical services that were normally in the main hospital have been moved to ART to balance the losses (moving clinical services that generate large amounts of revenue to ART to create an appearance of improved financial viability).
3. There are remaining concerns that we have too many managers/administrators. For instance, we have so many Deans and Associate Deans that have high salaries. These are at the expense of the physicians that care for patients. There really need to be some cuts here.
4. Limited communication – most communication has been achieved through the P&C and not through MUSC. For instance, the media knew of the plan prior to the employees at MUSC.
5. There are plans to accept foreign medical school graduates into the third and fourth year of medical school at MUSC. In addition, the school is increasing the number of out of state students accepted this year. Why? Easy, an out of state or foreign student pays about 80k per year to attend relative to the 20k or so that an in-state student pays. The students are nervous over this change as well as the tuition hikes that are certain for next year. The major state lender, South Carolina Student Loan Corp, has announced that they will not fund MEDPAL loans in the upcoming year. Students may not have places to look to pay these rates.
There seems to have been so much mismanagement that needs serious investigation. Let’s hope that it happens.
By Once again... on November 30th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
How many times have we seen this? How many times has Will Folks made up a load of shit, just to get his hit count up for a week? He does this (McConnell restructuring the way the Senate is run, Republicans switching parties, Spratt to take White House position, among countless others), cites undisclosed sources, and then after a week, we hear nothing else about it.
So people, read this as entertainment, don’t think for a minute that anything you read on this blog is factual. And to you commentators, why trash MUSC employees? They’re not Dr. Greenburg, so leave the governemntal relations and PR people alone. They’re just trying to put food on the table in tough economic times. You people need to get a life.
By Bert on November 30th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
James Betram,
Excellent post. I think your comments represent many MUSC students and employees. Thank you.
By yankeenot on November 30th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
James, we had no idea…Good Lord have mercy on this institutin — seriously! And to think of those doctors and nurses working so hard to help people; and the students, whose parents are so proud of them. This is awful. What is the solution? It, the gluttony or power and mismanagement, seems to have spun out of control. I do not believe anyone could possibly ignore the enormous amount of information displayed in this series of comments or coverage — and even if 1/10th of it were factual and not supposition, it is a frightening set of circumstances that begs serious review and resolution.
By James Betram on November 30th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Thanks, I do not know a lot about Greenberg’s leadership at my level within the institution. However, I can say that there is a lot of waste spent on items like “Leadership Development”, “Pillars of Excellence”, and Quint Studer and his “Program” for “MUSC Excellence”. Let me take these one at a time:
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: Basically taking workers away from their jobs to work in small groups debating ridiculious situations. It reminds me of the ENRON con job! It is also conducted at private locations that cost the state substantial money. I know it is a waste as I know the program.
PILLARS OF EXCELLENCE: refers to 5 pillars that MUSC should focus on in becoming a leading institution. One of these pillars is “Finance”. This one has been ignored for some time now. However, just outside of the College of Medicine Dean’s Office, there is a poster under the “Pillars” Poster for the College of Medicine that suggests that we should attempt to hide all internal malfunctions from the prying eye of outsiders. I just cannot believe that this is the approach we are taking through all of this. Also, many departments have invested in significant cost expendatures to create their own advertisements in the hallways outside of divisions to show how they are working with the Pillars concept. Some have large screen LCD’s to show this to the public, while others have hand crafted displays that obviously took a lot of state time to create. Again, what a waste!
QUINT STUDER: We basically flushed more than 8 million dollars down the toilet on this one. The goal was to improve patient satisfaction and employee morale. I think that this had improved until now. Again, reminds me of ENRON collapse. This “Prophet” travels from healthcare institution to institution soliciting bids for his services. MUSC was fast to take the offer! I remember being offered a Quint Studer book to read. Now, I know that these had to have cost some serious money. Can you imagine buying one for all of the employees? Again what a waste!
We really need better direction and new leadership to allow MUSC to grow. I know that a lot of faculty are concerned and considered leaving due to these problems. Students are equally concerned about being able to afford or even obtain loans to attend MUSC.
By antoinette on November 30th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Separated at birth — Ray Greenberg and Louis the 15th.
By Frank on November 30th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
James The Foot Soldier needs to get his facts straight before he puts his foot in his mouth – again. I am an MUSC employee and am somewhat familiar with the various departments and their budgets. The PR department is probably more responsible for informing my peers of what is happening at the University than any other department through publications such as the Catalyst which doesn’t cost the University a dime. They also deal with the press and the myriad of people who call wanting information or assistance.
The Marketing Department (not PR) is responsible for television and radio spots as well as brochures. Both do an exceptional job given the restraints on their budgets and their understaffing. Take a look at the PR and Marketing Departments at other comparable Universities and you will see that in comparison – MUSC operates both of these departments at bargain basement prices with far fewer staff. I moved to Charleston and to MUSC several years ago from Duke and was amazed at how small both of these departments are and how beneficial to the staff and university they are.
By King Louis the 15th on November 30th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Thankyou Antoinette. I have been lokking for him.
By eldiablo on December 1st, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Will someone who knows kindly provide the name of the MUSC employee who allegedly had an office “built” for her and a promotion to professor? As the poster above stated so correctly, “sunshine is sanitizing”. If we care about this as we seem to, let’s put a stop to this by outing those who are benefitting (such as this mysterious personal friend of RG) on the backs of those who are doing with less or doing without in the MUSC system.
By antoinette on December 1st, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Pardonnez-moi. Mort depuis trois siècles fait un oublieux. C’est mon dernier mari, Louis les XVI, qui me rappelle une si grande partie de Raymond.
“Louis XVI was weak in character and mentally dull. His courage and dignity during his trial and on the scaffold has left him a better reputation than he deserves. His diary shows how little he understood, or cared for, the business of a king. … The entry on the 14th of July 1789 was “nothing”! … Awkward and uncourtly, at heart shy, he was but a poor figurehead for the stately court of France.” (Et il l’Université Médicale de Caroline du Sud. L’histoire se répète.)
By James Betram on December 2nd, 2008 at 10:19 am
From the MUSC email to students this AM:
Dear students, and extended MUSC family,
Due to budget restraints, Student Programs and the Office of Student Diversity will not host the annual holiday luncheon, that was planned for Thursday, December 4, 2008.
Instead we would like to invite you to join us for the Holiday Lighting on December 3 at 4 pm at MUSC Horseshoe. We will be joined by children from the Children’s Hospital, student volunteers from SGA, and special guests. Hot chocolate, and cookies will be available for everyone! We hope you can be there.
Call 792-2693 for more info.
DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS MESSAGE. CONTACT INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND IN THE BODY OF THIS EMAIL. PLEASE SEND ANY UNIVERSITY-WIDE EMAILS TO STUINFO@MUSC.EDU AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO WHEN YOU WOULD LIKE THE EMAIL TO BE SENT. STUINFO EMAILS CANNOT INCLUDE ATTACHMENTS AND WILL ONLY BE SENT OUT TWICE.
STAY IN THE KNOW! FIND OUT WHAT¹S GOING ON AT MUSC BY VISITING STUDENT LIFELINES ONLINE AT http://www.musc.edu/studentactivities/lifelines
WANT TO CALENDAR YOUR UNIVERSITY-WIDE EVENT?
GO TO http://www.musc.edu/semesterhighlights
By James Betram on December 2nd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Another meeting today on the MUSC Budget for all faculty, students and staff:
REMINDER TO ALL FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS:
Faculty Town Hall Meeting with Dr. Ray Greenberg and Dr. John Raymond
Subject: Budget Update
Date: December 2, 2008
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Basic Science Building, Room 100
By Beeza on December 3rd, 2008 at 7:28 am
Will – a new low, even for you. Beeza.
By TOTALLY IMPRESSED (Grey King) on December 4th, 2008 at 12:43 am
First off, I’m just blown away at the person(people?) above me doing that amazing impression of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette! Seriously!
Not really. To be honest, I think it was the stupidest metaphor I’ve ever read, and for the sake of humanity, I’ll scrape my forehead with sandpaper until the pain of my fierce head injury overcomes the pain of reading that horribly lame, feeble attempt at an insult.
Second off, Will Folks is full of shit. I can easily compare him to the fat girl in gym class who makes stuff up about the pretty girls being bulimic just because she’s too fat to get laid.
I don’t have anything against MUSC. I love the MUSC actually. I also love Ray Greenberg. The only thing relating to this article I DON’T love, is Will Folks, who needs to be euthanized.
-Grey King
By Fred on December 4th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
In response to eldiablo – Will someone who knows kindly provide the name of the MUSC employee who allegedly had an office “built†for her and a promotion to professor? As the poster above stated
the professor who doesn’t teach a class – was friends with Dr. Greenberg and was hired skipping state hiring proceedures for a part time job where she has no previous experience is Dr. Linda Austin
By Lee on December 4th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Fred —– The real question is, if this doctor was hired skipping the required state hiring proceedures, and it was an inside deal by Dr. Greenberg, how much is MUSC paying her for her part time work and what does she do for it?
By Taylor Thomas on December 4th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
A search for information about “the woman” Linda Austin, M.D., reveals no quantifiable information regarding her academic or clinical activities, contributions or achievements at MUSC. There is much regarding her podcasts with various MUSC medical practitioners.
According to muschealth.com, Dr. Austin now is a practicing psychiatrist in Charleston. (The state licensing board confirms her standing as a licensed practitioner.) She is also the Associate Dean for Communication Development and a Professor of Psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina for which she is paid $126,000 by the state of South Carolina.
She hosted a nationally syndicated radio program, What’s On Your Mind? She is an author of books, including: What’s Holding You Back?: Eight Critical Choices for Women’s Success, and in 2004, as a psychiatrist based in Bangor, Maine, she also wrote a book for Simon & Schuster, Heart of the Matter: How to Find Love, How to Make it Work.
Research regarding her office building on MUSC’s campus indicates that it was not built, rather is in a renovated structure on Bee Street. She also has a private enterprise called “Medyounet.â€
http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/facultydirectory/FacultyDetails.aspx?facultyId=1641 turns up very little information on this woman.
By James Betram on December 4th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Fred and Lee,
As an MUSC insider, I am uncertain as to who this person is referring to. There are some in the upper ranks of administration who do not have the credentials to be in their position. And, there are also some who try to do a good job honestly. On one of the other MUSC blog topics, a MUSC administrator seemed to comment on my comments about the financial situation at MUSC. Cindy commented that we have no one passing on information. Now, this administrator had the audicity to note that we have yet a new “Dean” of Communication. Now the last thing we need is another Dean with a huge salary to offset our losses. It is just a game! Check out this site for a video of the Dean of Communication interviewing Dr. Ray Greenberg about the financial woes at the Medical University.
http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/musc/podcasts/GreenbergBudget2.html
By Lee on December 5th, 2008 at 9:12 am
James and Fred
Thanks for the additional information, but this only raises more questions.
Why was a woman who fomrerly did a radio program hired to run the MUSC Web Operation and put in charge of existing personell who were more qualified and it was already being run quite efficiently? If MUSC is in so much financial trouble why are they paying a part time employee so much money and as already mentioned doctors at MUSC are paid from two pockets, so the $126,000 mentioned above is only part of her salary. How much more is she making on a job that wasn’t posted and brought in by her friend Greenberg? How many of the people (not fortunate enough to be in the 6 figure salary range) being furloghed would have kept their jobs if Greenberg would not have hired this doctor?
And thanks for the link to the site. http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/musc/podcasts/GreenbergBudget2.html
I looked at the video and can only wonder if they got married when this love scene was finished filming.
By Jane on December 5th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I am a nurse at MUSC and am wondering how a person is hired without following state requirements and guidelines, is given a part time job at a six figure salary, made a professor when she doesn’t teach and an associate dean to boot?
The board needs to look into this one. Something is very fishy.
By Leslie on December 5th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Where is the Post and Courier or the TV News organizations. Even the guy in the morning, Richard Todd, on WTMA? Why is no one asking public questions?
I have a feeling this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Someone needs to straighten this out so money will be spent on patients and the people of this state instead of going into pet projects or friends of the president of MUSC
By James Betram on December 5th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Amen,
MUSC has paid Quint Studer and his group millions to set up and run the MUSC Excellence Campaign. AS a part of this, I have learned to acknowledge persons that I meet in the hall at 10 feet and then speak at 5 feet. I have to admit that as a physician, I also help people find their way on campus and help visitors find their loved ones on campus. However, the waste that the University made in hiring Quint Studer to start this campaign has been ridiculious. As far as the Associate Dean of Communications, the state salary of 126k is only the tip of the iceberg. She is probably paid that salary as she plans to retire under the state system. Most physicians are paid very little by the state. Under that salary, she receives more retirement under the state retirement system. Very few participate in this way. Most are paid 75% of their salary from the UMA. My guess is that she is in the 350 to 450k per year range. (That would include the 126k). Now what I would be interested to know, what was her raise when she was made Associate Dean of Communications.
AS for the Town Hall Meeting, there is no way anyone would dare ask a serious question that challenges the plan laid out. The plan included proceeding with the building of two research buildings that will take an additional 3.8 million per year to maintain. Now these buildings are mostly paid for with state and federal dollars. I especially liked the comment that we had “earned” this money. Get for real, we asked for a handout and were granted the handout. Now we are sorely afraid that we will have to give it back unless we can spend the money by the end of 2010. Thus, we are rushing to rebid the contracts for both buildings to be built by the same contractor to possibly secure additional construction savings (this was the only point that made sense). It was then commented that if we find out that we cannot afford the upkeep of the buildings, we might mothball other buildings on campus and move into the newer buildings. The university plan is to attract funded researchers to the buildings and thus cover the cost through indirects on grants. However, who would come here when we are in such financial distress! The lack of leadership is palpable.
A suggestion for future Town Hall Meetings, pass a box around and let us submit questions in writing to the box. Open the box at the end and answer them. I promise, you will get more and better questions. The way this worked at the meeting, you were called on (sometimes by name) by the administrators to ask a question when raising your hand. I promise you that many in room were reluctant to ask a challenging question of our leadership for fear of retalition or accusations of not following MUSC Excellence!
By Greenville desk on December 6th, 2008 at 1:13 am
Hyatt. Lots of water used by two registered(suspected a third occupant). Rude to service workers. Multiple room service requests and complaints. Not good tippers. Towels missing. Liked the shampoo and soaps — took lots of samples. Cheap.
By Theodore on December 7th, 2008 at 2:02 am
Leslie, and the rest, TV news and the Post and Courier, have little town, lazy and scared people working for them that obviously have not future in what they do beyond the marshes. They are probably put down by their superiors, those who collect the ad revenues or have fun times with the powers that be. Frankly, the behavior of such “news organizations” is one reason they are collapsing before their own cowardly and greedy eyes. The First Amendment is but a quaint reminder of days past when local news held officials to task. It’s a frightening time in America, people.
By Jimmy P on December 7th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Theodore – I agree completely. The Post and Courier is a waste. More of a PR rag sheet for “the powers that be” than a newspaper looking out for the interest of the people. I’m sure the top floor kills any story about MUSC or other corrupt practices in favor of the “good old boys” and heavy advertisers like MUSC. It’s sad because their job was to report the news and keep them straight rather than co-operate and cover-up. Hope they wake up and realize why people are no longer buying their worthless paper. If they would only take a role that made newspapers the protector of the public – perhaps they might survive. I cancelled my subscription last year because of their pablum.
The only news organization here in Charleston who even mentioned the problems at MUSC (or had some guts) was Channel 2 and reporter Tim Garrett. Hat’s off to him and I hope he continues to look out for the people and report on this type of corruption and waste.
By Nigel on December 8th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
I hear more from our friend Will may be in the offing. Stay tuned comrades.
By Marie on December 8th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Where does this go? What could possibly be the outcome from such a series of expressions and noted criticisms? If the trustees are involved and approving of this mismanagement, and the leglislature and governor are loathe to engage in their duties to address these fiscal and managerial issues — at least — then what is to become of this outcry? Lord help us.
By George on December 9th, 2008 at 10:14 am
As an ‘insider’ in the Dept. of Psychiatry, I can comment on the following: Linda Austin has worked at MUSC since the mid 80’s except for a few years when she lived in Maine. She was an Associate Dean for Continuing Medical Education under Layton McCurdy and has been well known for numerous public education programs throughout South Carolina and nationally, including her public radio show. She personally trained many of the psychiatrists in the Charleston area. She became a full professor through regular channels in the late 90’s and now is a Clinical Professor, which is our designation for part-time faculty. Her primary responsiblity currently is to lead the renovation of musc.edu, an enormous project which has been neglected for many years. She has always been one of our department’s most active and teachers, both for MUSC and the public, but recently has focused her outreach activities to create a large podcast library for muschealth.com. Dr. Austin also was a Senior Examiner for the American Board of Psychiatry for many years, a very high honor. It is sad that women in South Carolina cannot excel and contribute without being accused of impropriety.
By Merrill on December 9th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
George – you’re skipping the question. Just because Dr. Austin did a little radio show for Public Radio years ago doesn’t qualify her to re-vamp the web site. She is a psychiatrist —– not a web designer and has no qualifications in this area. No one is answering the question as to how she was hired. Dr. Greenburg arranged for Dr. Austin to by-pass state hiring procedures gave her a fat salary, made her a tenured professor, for a part-time employee, and on and on and on. On her part time salary, Dr. Austin more than most full time employees here. Neither Dr. Greenburg nor Dr. Austin is addressing these issues. We’re laying off people and the university is purchasing a building for one individual who happens to be a “close” personal friend of Dr. Greenburg’s. We already have qualified people doing “pod-casts” and the web site. Dr. Austin’s pod-casts are no better than those of the existing people. What were Dr. Austin’s qualifications that surpassed those of our existing employees and why did we need an additional building? It’s sheer lunacy and something stinks here.
What logical justification can there be for hiring a psychiatrist with no web experience to run MUSC’s web operation? And if that’s her job and she doesn’t teach a class —– why is she given a full professorship?
Please explain this
I hope SLED or the Board of Directors will fulfill their responsibilities and look into this one. I have a feeling as already mentioned; this is the tip of the iceberg.
Okay – Dr. Greenburg ——- we know you look at these comments. Here’s a perfect opportunity to explain and set the record straight for all of us. Especially those who are loosing their jobs.
By Merrill on December 9th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Sorry – “makes more than most full time employees here”
By Jimmy on December 9th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
My question is – why is a part time employee paid at a much higher rate than a qualified professional web designer who would be there full time? What experience or training did she present to the hiring people to get such a deal? How much time is part time?
My neighbors son makes his living developing web sites. I asked the young man what the salary range for a top notch web designer is and he replied that “a top notch professional would average around $95,000″. I doubt that Dr. Austin is a top notch web designer. (And that’s for a 5 day work week) If this job was posted for 126,000.00 I know he and hundreds of professional web folks would have been all over it. Why wasn’t this job posted for the best person MUSC could find and why is the salary so high for a part time employee?
My concern isn’t personal against this Dr. Austin (although I question what was the relationship that allowed or encouraged this to happen) but about unfair hiring proceedures, vast waste of taxpayer money and people being laid off when this type of mis-management (and favoritism) is allowed. Do part time employees get furloughed also?
JM
By Elaine on December 9th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Truth of character and responsibility should emerge on Thursday when the Board of Trustees meet. It is an open meeting, by the way, unless they take to Kiawah or St. Croix.
By Elaine on December 9th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Dear George, how many faculty members do you know who have left MUSC and returned to resume a full professorship and be elevated to Assistant Dean? George, unless you are Ray, I suspect that many hard-working assistant professors would easily leave MUSC only to return to a higher position and pay.
By Sheila Yarborough on December 10th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
The Board of Trustees needs to take the administration to the mat when they arrive. We should have a 50% reduction in administrators across the board. There are just too many of them. They draw huge salaries while the rest of us suffer. Why the other day, the University had the nerve to ask for us to “donate” to a fund for those who were furloughed or released from employment. Greenberg keeps saying that he made a donation. I am assuming his donation was about 400,000 since the Post and Courier keeps reporting that he only makes 325k per year. Specific issues that should be addressed:
1. MUSC Excellence Expendatures – I mean it is common sense to just be kind to one another and help others in need. THat is what I do every day at MUSC.
2. REductions in the use of leased buildings that are off campus. So much money is spent in leasing buildings for off campus space when there are rooms empty on campus.
3. Cancellation of plans to build two new buildings on campus. I mean, don’t spend money you just don’t have.
4. End expensive retreats to the Virgin Islands and such unless funded by the administrator’s salary. At 725k this is a minimium expectation.
By Kyle Foster on December 10th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
I heard that Ray Greenberg took a trip to Israel to seek out opportuities for startup companies in Charleston this past summer. His airfare alone was 4k. Now, I want to know what has the University gained from this expensive affair?
By Gina on December 10th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
You may all be interested to see the video of Dr. Greenberg’s Town Hall meeting on the MUSC Fiancial situation posted on this website:
http://www.musc.edu/facsen/
Click on Town Hall meeting for the video and slides.
By Linda Austin on December 11th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Since this blog has discussed me in some detail, I want to set the record straight on some major inaccuracies. Some of the entries bear the unmistakable stamp of an embittered former coworker who was forced to resign for financial misconduct. Some of the entries,though, do reflect honest concern about how we use state resources and deserve a response.
1. During my years at MUSC 1986-2002, I developed an interest in how to communicate health information to large groups of populations in a cost effective way. This started with responding to those traumatized by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, which led to my thirteen years’ public radio show; production of documentaries on depression and anxiety; a SCETV series; a statewide program to train public school teachers in health; statewide mini-med school; etc. For these efforts and the publications and teaching that went with them, I eventually attained the rank of full professor going through regular University committee process.
2. I remarried and went with my husband to Maine from 2002-2004, and froze!! We came back in 2004, and I started my private practice as Psychiatry at MUSC was in difficult financial straits. As appropriate, my designation at that time was, and remains, Clinical Professor — this is the designation given to ALL volunteer and part-time faculty who have left paid full time careers at the university.
3. Two years ago I was hired jointly by the College of Medicine and the Marketing Department one day a week to develop the muschealth.com podcast library. A utility closet was converted into a studio — I therefore find talk of buildings built for me to be a bit amazing! A group of us will be moving to a renovated — actually, just repainted — old house and I will be working closely with the Bioinformatics group there to develop online outreach/education efforts to support research/clinical trials.
4. I do not earn $126k — I believe $103k is more like it — for what is theoretically half time but in reality is about thirty hours a week. I would agree that in our society there is a lot of disparity in salary — but my hourly compensation, which is under $100/hour, is not out of line for senior doctors.
5. Re: “friendship” with Dr. Greenberg — this idea comes from the aforementioned embittered coworker. Of course we are professional friends, along with dozens of other men and women at MUSC with whom I’ve worked for over two decades. If anyone feels this has earned special treatment, I invite you for a tour of the supply closet where I worked for two years.
6. Re: why a psychiatrist is doing web design: musc.edu is a huge site — 22,000 pages, that grew without a clear organizational plan. We had at least a half dozen unsuccessful attempts to renovate the site using professional designers whch failed, but we have made great progress now — please visit http://www.musc.edu. I do work with our web designers, but much of what I am doing with the web is using a physician’s eye to identify needs, errors, weaknesses and opportunities particularly to educate the public. Yesterday I was showed figures that our 600+ title podcast library (created in the supply closet) gets several hundred thousand hits per month, very good return on investment. I am also developing other projects, specifically a large upcoming effort to organize women faculty to do public outreach programs in the community.
7. If you’re still with me, one final comment: I do love MUSC, not because it is a perfect institution — we are a collection of human beings with strengths and weaknesses, like any other group of 11,000 people. But I love the higher purpose that really does underlie what we do: improve the health of South Carolinians through clinical care and eduation. And while there is an occasional stinker in the group — like my disgruntled former coworker — the doctors, nurses, administrators, staff, students, residents — are a wonderful group of people, and I’m very grateful to have the chance to teach the public what they do.
I hope this clears up some confusion. I am easily emailed through the MUSC directory if you would like to talk face-to-face, and it would be a more honorable way to address any concerns anyone has about my employment.
Best regards, Linda Austin
By Jim on December 11th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Dear Dr. Austin.
In your reply you addressed several points. But not the first one that was mentioned in this blog. How were you hired by Dr. Greenberg without following the required state hiring proceedures? Didn’t Dr. Greenberg skip that process and go directly to Dr. Reves and order him to hire you – in spite of Dr. Reves objection?
What is the cost of the “old building” renovation and lease and isn’t it a fact that you asked to be moved because you couldn’t get along with co-workers.
Since you’re welling to “set the record straight”, please answer these basic questions and I and others have a few more.
Thanks.
By MIchael on December 11th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
So let me understand – Dr. Austin. You were hired for a one day a week job for “I believe $103k is more like it” to do “podcasts”. Dr. Greenberg hired you without following state hiring requirements. You are a psychiatrist with no web experience – the people working with you on the web operation were vastly more qualified and didn’t make half of what you make – and they work five days a week – you weren’t happy with your office space, although there are no comments of complaint from the people you were working with about the lack of space – so – your friend Dr. Greenberg bought a building for you and is re-furbishing it for you – we had a good and inexpensive web operation but I gather from your response your “expertise” was required to improve it – you comment that there are 600K plus hits per month and seem to take credit for it without mentioning or giving credit to the other people doing podcasts – even though they do the same job and for a much smaller salary – and now you are in a completely different job – “Bioinformatics group there to develop online outreach/education efforts to support research/clinical trials” than the one you were hired for – you don’t teach – you were made a tenured professor – you are in private business in competition to MUSC – and – from an earlier – blog, are privately developing your own web business. There are other inaccuracies in your statement – although enough for now.
I’m sorry – your e-mail above just adds to my (and other members of the MUSC family) confusion and concern about how money and “friendship” with Dr. Greenberg is being misused here at MUSC.
We are laying off people while you are presenting the above lame nonsense for buildings and your salary and etc. being wasted. Please give me more to justify your existence at MUSC – at least enough to offset the harm done to those who were cut while a friend of Dr. Greenberg’s is being added.
By Roland Davis on December 12th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Dr. Austin,
Check with the public listing of state salaries from the budget and control on the internet with which you are so familiar. FYI, you silly girl, you make 126,000 a year for one day of work a week. Fringes take your salary close to 170,000. Multiply that times a full week and your salary beats the president’s. Bet your not frozen now. How many friends does he pay that well to do what? We all want to know.
Clinical means you see patients – at MUSC, you silly girl! not in your own private practice. What does your private podcast company do that is different than your one day of podcasts at MUSC? Are you using state time, equipment or assistance from MUSC for your spinoff company because the state frowns on that, you know. Sounds like a parasitic relationship and MUSC is the big time loser. The people going on furlough feel the same. Your salary could save them gas money so they could get to work FIVE days a week.
You complain about a closet and a coworker and then describe your actions as honorable. Your letter is arrogant and silly (froze!!!) at best. It was never my desire to write to this thing but your arrogance has inspired me. I don’t know a physician who can write but you are now the global eye making those big (HAH) decisions to impress doctors. Do they have time to visit your pods? Flash – the video with Greenberg is the laughing joke of the campus and I agree with an earlier blog – fire the PR goofs who put that uninspiring love fest together.
Name just one man or one woman Greenberg friend at that place who got the same ’sweeter than life’ deal and you can settle this argument. Or leave. I’ve been there through lots of stuff and I have never once heard of anything so fishy or stupid and so obvious on both your parts. Your qualifications are not impressive. Your chutspah is the most impressive part of you. You should be ashamed. We are.
Roland
By Michael on December 12th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Give me a break!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This whole scenario between Dr. Austin and Dr. Greenberg smells of favoritism or cronyism or is just outright wrong.
If Dr. Greenberg can respond with a logical reason for Dr. Austin’s being on the faculty here – I for one – would welcome it. Everyone here knows what is going on and everyone knows why.
It stinks and it’s time for someone to rectify the situation and quit
the waste. How many people would not have been laid-off if Dr. Austin
weren’t on the payroll? It’s outright wrong and sinful.
By Mike on December 12th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
As an MUSC employee for five years I can unequivocablely state that everyone knows what is happening here and the rumor mill is currently at full speed. Granted many of them are false or based on some small bit of truth that has grown out of proportion. Unfortunately, some are true and those aren’t very complimentary to the president.
People senor to me are constantly telling me about the previous president (Dr. Edwards) how friendly he was to all of the staff and how involved he was with the running of the university. He was honest, freely talked with everyone, most he knew by first name and would welcome anyone to his office who wished to meet with him. He would actually even listen to people. None of us ever see Dr. Greenberg and most know it’s a waste of time making suggestions which may improve conditions or save money. The general belief is that it is unwise to say or suggest anything that goes against the wishes of Drs. Greenberg, Reves, Feussner or Stuart Smith.
We have a part-time president who spends – on average – three days a week in his office.
About as much time as he spends at his vacation get-away in Ashville, NC.
He publically justified a “conference†and the necessity for he and others from MUSC to attend – in the Virgin Islands recently in response to the http://www.fitsnews.com article. Ironically, because of the publicity, the number of people scheduled to attend (and their wives) was reduced and Dr. Greenberg also cancelled. Dr. Greenberg also failed to discuss his recent (paid for by MUSC) trip with his wife to Israel.
By Bill on December 12th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Will. There are numerous questions of impropriety and abuse of the state system raised in the above comments. Some are very serious and accurate.
Why aren’t The Post & Courier, The State or the TV News Organizations to investigating these allegations? If they are true someone should go to jail and others should be fired.
Why isn’t the governor’s office or even SLED looking into this chaos and waste of taxpayer money?
By Melinda on December 12th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Two words. Company town. You’re not from around here, are you?
By Jerry on December 12th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
I can tell you why the mainstream media is not investigating these allegations. For one, there is so much mudslinging taking place that it’s difficult to discern which accusations and allegations are legitimate and which ones are siimply someone firing back because someone pissed in someone else’s Wheaties. It sounds to me like someone has a grudge against this Austin lady. In the time that Ray G’s been on the throne(and by that I don’t mean the toilet),I’m sure, in fact I know, Austin’s hire isn’t the first shady move he’s made. In fact, his entire reign has been one big racket. Anyone care to guess how many millions are funneled through the DRI into the private companies of its researchers? Or the millions paid to Rawle Murdy and Associates for the ART roll out? There’s a lot of speculation but it’s not on the books. The Development Office paid that one. But it is interesting, that Austin’s been hired to revamp the website when that’s what RM was contracted to do. The whole thing was a debacle from the outset. Hours of pointless meetings filled with pathetic posturing and convoluted marketing rhetoric. It received and continues to receive very little visibility, and as predicted early on by naysayers — it certainly didn’t increase patient volume. It’s sort of sad because Greenberg’s a brilliant man. But education, authority, and money are always a dangerous combination and as we can obviously tell by the current state of affairs, extremely destructive.
All of that brings me to the next reason the local “journalists” don’t delve into this stuff — there’s not enough tv time or room to print it. The average reporter makes between 20 and 40k in this market and most come here with one foot out the door into the next market or metro paper. Believe me they aren’t concerned with this stuff. Not saying they shouldn’t be. Lucky for the MUSC execs, they work in a small media market. Keep up the good work FITS.
By blue dog on December 13th, 2008 at 12:04 am
Bill, because nobody other than the 1 percent at MUSC looking at this blog, really cares — not the media, not the governor, not the legislature, and certainly not the board. We are in our own vaccuum.
By priscilla on December 13th, 2008 at 12:09 am
It’s time to surrender, everybody. Nothing has changed in 8-9 years and it’s likely not to change anytime soon—not even through the protestations of this very revealing and entertaining blog. Now go to sleep everybody — keep your head low and focus on the truly wonderful things that we do at MUSC — for those wonderful things and events encounter are far more important than the little pieces of filth and injustice that we have to deal with everyday.
By Clarence Fornson on December 13th, 2008 at 1:04 am
Dr. Austin,
I think that many on this site are concerned that the employment opportunity that you now occupy was not posted and allowed competition for the position. I think a lot of us at MUSC are concerned that excess money is being spent on these Associate Deans, ect. Was the job posted? Were there interviews? I am constantly surprised with the lack of interest of the medical students in accessing podcasts for their education. Is this a worthwhile effort? Is it worth 126k for a single days work? Is there a UMA salary also combined with the state salary? I guess a lot of us are concerned that we are footing the bill for positions that are simply not needed especially in this poor economy. What can we do to clear up this matter? Does there need to be a formal state investigation?
By roofus on December 13th, 2008 at 1:06 am
Did the state also pay for Dr. Greenberg’s wife to travel to Israel? I mean it is a nice trip but should we foot the bill?
By Jessica on December 13th, 2008 at 1:14 am
Recent impacts of the financial crisis as seen on campus:
1. Reduction in heating of buildings, 60-65 in many common areas and told to reduce to 55 when possible (nights/weekends).
2. MUSC Cafeteria received a “B” rating from the DHEC reviewer on a recent site visit. Interestingly, the sticker was placed on a door that leads into the cafeterial where it is less noticed. Usually, these are placed on the sneeze bar over the food in plain view. I really could not figure out why this one was rather hidden. Personally, i choose not to eat in place with a rating of less than “A”. This also happend a few years back when 2 areas had “B” and one with a “C”. Embarassing that a hospital can’t have a clean cafeteria. I mean there are some really nasty restuarants that have better sanitation ratings!
3. New office of sustainability – has to do with making university more green and eco-friendly. OF course they have a paid staff.
By Bert Flincinger on December 13th, 2008 at 9:59 am
WOW! The cafeteria has a B rating. Wonder why they got that? Are those records public?
By Leah on December 13th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Dr. Greenberg is an extremely luck man. Just by coincidence, his brother and family live in Israel. And also by coincidence, his brother’s son had his Bar Mitzvah at the time Dr. Greenberg was required to go to Israel on “MUSC Businessâ€.
By Whippersnapper on December 13th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Top salaries at MUSC and MUHA (UMA’s are not listed in the state database; but that’s where the real goodies are:) One will find that some people are listed in both MUHA and MUSC (and even more in UMA) — which means they are paid from at least two sources separately.
http://www.thestate.com/salaries/
MUHA
W. STUART SMITH MEDICAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR $431,571
LISA P. MONTGOMERY MEDICAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ADMINISTRATOR $363,647
CHARLES BETTS ELLIS MEDICAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ADMINISTRATOR $251,659
MARILYN JEAN SCHAFFNER MEDICAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ADMINISTRATOR $233,721
JOHN MICHAEL SANDERS MEDICAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ADMINISTRATOR $233,058
GWENDOLYN S. EWING MEDICAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ANESTHESIA COORDINATOR/CHIEF CRNA $213,157
KAREN SHUMAN WENDORF MEDICAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CERTIFIED REGISTERED NURSE ANTESTHETIST $202,803
DENNIS JAMES FRAZIER MEDICAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ADMINISTRATOR $202,020
MUSC
KELLY BARTH MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC ASSISTANT PROFESSOR $427,500
DURWOOD E BACH MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC DEPARTMENT CHAIR/HEAD $330,206
STEPHEN LANIER MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC ASSISTANT PROFESSOR $286,518
GAIL W STUART MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC DEAN $279,488
RICK SCHNELLMANN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC DEPARTMENT CHAIR/HEAD $272,480
MARK S SOTHMANN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC DEAN $257,550
DAVID R GARR MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC ASSOCIATE DEAN $252,710
VALERIE T WEST MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC ASSOCIATE DEAN $249,672
PERRY V HALUSHKA MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC DEAN $249,206
INDERJIT SINGH MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC PROFESSOR $241,500
FRANK C CLARK MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC PROFESSOR $237,203
JOSEPH G REVES MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC DEAN $236,794
JOHN P TAYLOR MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC INSTRUCTOR $235,115
JOSEPH C GOOD MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC ASSISTANT PROFESSOR $232,290
RAYMOND S GREENBERG MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC AGENCY HEAD $232,064
BRAD W NEVILLE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC PROFESSOR $231,157
MARVIN M SWINDLE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC DEPARTMENT CHAIR/HEAD $231,000
JOHN J SANDERS MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC DEAN $230,000
HUGH B FAULKNER MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC UNCLASSIFIED $221,521
JAMES P VAN DORSTEN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC DEPARTMENT CHAIR/HEAD $220,000
BARBARA C TILLEY MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC DEPARTMENT CHAIR/HEAD $220,000
RICHARD A SAUNDERS MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC PROFESSOR $220,000
ROGER R MARKWALD MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC DEPARTMENT CHAIR/HEAD $220,000
JANICE M LAGE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC DEPARTMENT CHAIR/HEAD $220,000
DEAN G KILPATRICK MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC PROFESSOR $220,000
JOHN R FEUSSNER MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC DEPARTMENT CHAIR/HEAD $220,000
GARY ASTON-JONES MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC PROFESSOR $220,000
SABRA C SLAUGHTER MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC ASSOCIATE DEAN $213,712
THOMAS G BASLER MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC DEPARTMENT CHAIR/HEAD $212,951
JAMES W FISHER MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC ASSISTANT PROFESSOR $212,824
JOHN M BARRY MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC ASSOCIATE DEAN $211,023
NARENDA L BANIK MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC PROFESSOR $210,430
JAMES S NORRIS MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC PROFESSOR $210,000
FRED A CRAWFORD MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC DEPARTMENT CHAIR/HEAD $210,000
MARC I CHIMOWITZ MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC PROFESSOR $210,000
BRADLEY A SCHULTE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC PROFESSOR $208,500
JOSEPH T DIPIRO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC DEAN $207,484
TARIQ JAVED MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC ASSOCIATE DEAN $207,203
JUDY R DUBNO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC PROFESSOR $206,180
ROBERT J ADAMS MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC PROFESSOR $205,750
LUIS P LEITE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC DEPARTMENT CHAIR/HEAD $202,938
DANIEL R KNAPP MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC PROFESSOR $202,555
SCOTT W HENGGELER MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SC PROFESSOR $200,000
By Whippersnapper on December 13th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Who in the hell is Kelly Barth?
By Whippersnapper on December 13th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I bet most of these people are white. Gotta hand it to the girls, though — looking good!
By Whippersnapper on December 13th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Perry Halushka actually is worth a lot more! He’s not very pretty; a bit grumpy at times, but he’s tops as a dean. Has done wonders at MUSC.
By Whippersnapper on December 13th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Dr. DiPiro also ought to be making more money. Those folks in Pharm are sharp — and make a ton of dough for MUSC.
By Whippersnapper on December 13th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Damn. I want to be a dean, or at least an associate professor! Where can I buy a Ph.D.? I know, I’ll get a podcast and make nice with Dr. Greenberg!
By Whippersnapper on December 13th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I thought Gail Stuart was the highest paid at MUSC. What happened, Gail?
By Whippersnapper on December 13th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Barbara Tilley — now that’s a hottie.
By Cathy Simms on December 13th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Are you the same Leah who went to the Phillipines with Dr. Greenburg to play with Imelda Marcos? That was his first presidential junkett to give Ferdinand’s widow an honorary doctorate in exchange for a painting and a pair of shoes. How many went and how much did that entourage cost the tax payers or the Health Science Foundation – also funded by tax payers and poor single mothers like the one working nights with a dead car trying to make ends meet and feed her kids?
Where can one find those numbers to see if the fat cats listed here give anything back. Don’t forget they all get another third on top of their salaries for benefits. Does Dr. Austin give big sums back to the Foundation to help pay for the painting of her old “new” building to get her out of the closet? Or does that come from the furloughed smuks? Is she married or single and sold support?
CSimms
By Coffee Tea or Me on December 13th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
My, doesn’t that Greenberg get around? If Leah went with him to see the famed Phillipina shoe maven, I imagine that would be his wife, Leah, though I doubt she has engaged in this particular forum. By the way, either this man is pure evil with a rap sheet the length of Florida or people are going to start feeling sorry for the guy. In any case, as long as the honorable trustees grant him such freedom, who’s to blame but “the guardians”? It’s like the spoiled, rotten rich kid who keeps pushing the limit to get daddy’s attention. “Daddy” is too busy and distracted and obviously consumed with other matters, so little Ray will probably keep it up until “Mr. Police Man” catches up with him.
By Coffee Tea or Me on December 13th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
By the way, your attempt at Yiddish failed, you wasp. (And some nurses trying to feed their kids would be offended at being described as females. Many of them have hairy chests, deep voices and muscular arms — and these aren’t just the women from Armenia.
By Coffee Tea or Me on December 13th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
One would think that Fred Crawford could afford to buy some hair plugs, platform shoes and a better personality. Maybe Dr. Linda could counsel him.
By Whippersnapper on December 13th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
News Flash. Valerie West retired. There’s $250,000 to spread around in the name of Obama.
By Whippersnapper on December 13th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Actually, in the last month or so, there has been an exodus of highly paid associate and assistant professors, etc., whose salaries easily totalled more than a million bucks. Keep the blue-hairs running; the nurses need more food for the kids.
By Bert Flincinger on December 14th, 2008 at 12:28 am
Wow! That is interesting. Remember when looking at state salaries, this is only the part from the state. This does not include monies paid from the MUHA or UMA. Many of these people are mkaing 2x the amount in state money. For instance, I make 35k in state funding and 225k in UMA money. Thus, these salaries are not represenative of what many of them actually take home. For instance, Marc Chimowitz is paid a lot more than 220k.
Second, I cannot believe the President got a free trip to Isreal for a Bar Mitzva. WOW! This just screams of problems!
By Bert Flincinger on December 14th, 2008 at 12:29 am
P.S. Barbara Tilley actually brings in a lot of grant money to MUSC. She fully supports her salary. Perry Halushka is also a major asset who funds himself and others through his grantsmanship. I am unaware of any grants that are supporting our podcasting efforts however!
By Herb Clause on December 14th, 2008 at 12:51 am
New Excellogram:
These are sent to faculty within the College of Medicine as a part of the MUSC Excellence Campaign:
Excellogram # 21
Date: December 9, 2008
Subject: Unwelcome Tidings
Dear Colleagues,
This is the season of “glad tidings of great joy,†but less so with the incredibly bad constellation of financial misery worldwide. The global economy and the world’s people are suffering. The United States and our State of South Carolina are both in the throes of a recession. Our hospital has major financial challenges and because of the State economy, MUSC and the College of Medicine have received unprecedented cuts in State money to support our educational, research and clinical care missions. We indeed have two uninvited guests at our holiday time.
Picture of an Elephant and a Gorilla
This is not a time for the feint of heart, and as I have visited with various students, faculty members and chairs, it is gratifying to find that most of us realize that, as with any adversity, this is an opportunity for us as a College of Medicine to examine everything we do, prioritize the many things we must do, and evaluate those that are not absolutely essential and eliminate them.
Every great country or institution rises to the occasion when challenged. For example, World War II was a time when the free world rallied to defeat a formidable enemy. Before that, the Great Depression shook this country to its very core. Even before that there was the great Civil War that took this part of the country a century to overcome. Nevertheless, the lessons have all been clear. No matter how dreadful the circumstances, good can come from it if there is sufficient resolve and unity, not to mention decent leadership. However, it is not the leadership as much as the collective desire of every individual to do as William Faulkner put it: “not just persevere but prevail.â€
Our very own faculty member and former senator Fritz Hollings put it clearly when running for President in 1983: “It is time for us to sacrifice for a better future.†I was once told by a good friend never to ask anyone to sacrifice; “it’s un-American†this emigrant physician told me. Nevertheless he knows, as we all do, the ethos of medical professionals who have long ago learned to work hard to achieve goals, knowing that often the only way to solve difficult problems is to work day and night in the laboratory or at the bedside. We all know a great deal about personal sacrifice, and it is in times like these that we are being asked to find ways to do all we must do with less.
Everyone is going to be asked for ideas about ways to accomplish our key missions in this time of constraint. The chairs and I will hold a “retreat†on January 31 to plan how to prevail in this time of financial challenge. Please do not hesitate to send me or the chairs your thoughts on how best to weather this economic storm. Our goal remains to be a top ranked medical school. What must change is the way we do this, since we have fewer resources and will not have the luxury of operating as we always have. I am confident that in several years we will be stronger and better, but different than we were even a few months ago. The future is what we make it.
Sincerely,
Jerry Reves, M.D.
Dean, College of Medicine
By Ms. and Balanced on December 14th, 2008 at 2:59 am
Only about 10 of the top 51 highest paid officials (when taking the tops — $200K-plus — from each of the categories, MUHA and MUSC) are women. Interestingly, most of those women work for MUHA (the hospital). Only a couple of the most highly paid women work for MUSC. What’s wrong, Greenberg, women’s Ph.D.s came at a discount, or maybe aren’t worth the same as the men’s? Last I checked, women play a mean round of golf; they bring in millions of dollars in grants (just see your lovely Dr. Brady’s work…) As far as representation, I see few women, even fewer blacks, and no Latinos (who, like Salgado, earn below the 200K hash mark). The religious scale appears fairly balanced between Jewish, Christian and Hindu — if we were in Los Angeles. The male dominance could very well explain a bit about the underlying theme of what’s off kilter here. (None of the trustees are women, are they?) That’s pitiful; no, that is shameful. It’s also archaic.
By The Anti-Will on December 14th, 2008 at 3:46 am
Will, we know you are not sensitive the the imbalances of women who work hard to attain greatness only to be out-matched by a little protrusion between the legs (if you’re lucky). And I know you prefer to categorize women according to their lovely boobs and asses, but, this is your site and it’s open to all of us who have enterred with varying views — who also appreciate fine boobs and asses like all sexually well-adjusted beings. But, when everything gets all yucky, grey and droopy, there is the mind (which, according to an infamous, female NAACP leader explained as “a terrible thing to lose” — but we all get tongue-tied and get the point). Now open your mind and appreciate what you are seeing here. Let’s imagine the image of beautiful Linda and the cerebral Ray. He succumbs to her siren and his life as leader is destroyed. The masses bring flamed torches to the castle and he scampers out the back, along Ashley and Cannon, and leaves for — I know — Israel or Asheville —meanwhile, Linda is sitting alone in the studio; a single flower in a vase and no appointments at the clinic — she looks yonder and the Blackberry rings — “Linda. Hey, baby, it’s Ray. I have a corn on my toe, I’m constipated, and I need you. I hate dogs. Did I ever tell you I hate dogs and kids? Never mind. My ass and toe hurts and I need you. I’ll give you a professorship and your own office building if you come here now.” “But what about the parking, Ray-baby. I can’t walk my Stilletos along those nasty old sidewalks and be shafted by those parking fees.” “Don’t worry, baby. You’ve got your own parking lot, and I’ll pave it. You could even charge others to park there (hee-hee).” “Oh. Ray. I’ll be right up. The plane’s…” “Yeah, the plane’s where it usually is. Say you’re visiting a potential endowed chair.” “Ummm, kiss, kiss.”
By Herb Clause on December 14th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Women and salary equity at MUSC:
Dear. Ms. and Balenced:
You are leaving out the UMA portion which is not presented. Generally, faculty prefer to shelter as much salary under the UMA umbrella and try to minimize the amounts under the MUHA or state salaries. Thus, you cannot look at these numbers and make assumptions about salary equity. I cannot say that the salaries are equitable but I know that Jerry Reves is interested in ensuring salary equity and promotion of blacks, women , and hispanics at MUSC. We don’t know yet if this is a good policy as there is no measurable result that tells us that increased diversity yields a better outcome. Dean Reeves just received an award from the AAMC for his dedication to diversity at MUSC.
By Willy Wonka on December 14th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Yes, an occasional golden ticket lands in the palm of a political pawn. Trouble is, when one considers those most likely to suffer pay hits and lay-offs, the law of averages point to the majority weighted at the base of the pyramid, women and minorities. But that’s capitalism, and we embrace it. And in the spirit of the male-dominated MUSC system, it appears these days, breaking the glass ceiling seems more plausible for those able to stroke whatever part or personality defect an official needs petting.
By Willy Wonka on December 14th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
When Jerry and his kids are playing musical chairs at the “retreat,” I bet they’ll have brilliant ideas of how to shoulder more of the brunt on those below the $50K line. Ooh. Maybe they’ll ponder taking a day or two of furloughs for themselves. Aren’t they generous?
Where is the retreat going to be? I bet the catered lunch will be terrific. It would be a sin not to share the leftovers. Can we come and bring the unemployed temps, laid-off housekeepers, nurses and their starving children?
Here’s an idea. When the bosses assemble around their conference tables or at remote retreats, invite a few low-wage earners along to witness the executive exchange; and share a little of that which you leave on the silver platters.
Also, those little paper balloons that many Food Lion shoppers “buy” to help the little sick kids at Children’s Hospital? Think again. While Mom and Dad are struggling to find a compassionate drugmaker to donate expensive medicine to save little Jimmy’s life, those well-intended bucks are pouring straight into the DCRI, which funnels the money to private start-ups from which profits are directed right back into the pockets of a handful of officials who never even step near a child’s bedside.
So, those of us creating masterful tricks to line our own pockets even after having flushed millions down the ART toilets, “let’s not just persevere but prevail.” Tough times do present abundant opportunities — desperate people and their property can be gotten far more cheaply. Now that’s economics.
By Whippersnapper on December 14th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Bert, that’s my point. Barbara Tilley appears to be getting far less money than is represented in all that she brings in.
By Whippersnapper on December 14th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Sad and revealing. Buried on Page 3 of Sunday’s Worthless Courier is a story about an entire educational program was cut — after students from across the country had paid to enter the program. Speech pathology doesn’t seem all that important, not with the prevelance of stroke, head/neck cancer and child born with cranio-facial defects. The College of Health Professions always seemed to have been able to stay out of the fray — and achieve veritable greatness — but their successes turned against them, so MUSC is fleecing its proceeds. After cutting about $450,000 (no doubt from associate and assistant professor salaries), and returning tuition paid by prospective students, MUSC has managed to further narrow its academic perspective.
Just when are these bozos going to look at where the real waste is and stop slamming academic programs? Is this a teaching institution or a real estate/marketing firm?
By Charles B. Elliot on December 14th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Whippersnapper is right – real estate and advertising. John Taylor is no more an instructor than Saber Slaughter (check out Slaughter’s wife’s salary, another Ray G. benefactress) JP is Paul Taylor, MUSC’s auditor for decades. He is the one who should be answering all these repeititious questions for those bucks.
Where are his explanations for the illegal hiring of unqualified people?
How does he justify trips to Israel and the Virgin Islands? Does the wife really get tickets paid for? Why?
Beyond that, Dr. Austin is only one in a line of RG’s beneficiaries and victims. What does Mr. Taylor have to say about the huge amounts of mullah wasted, thrown down the throne, on RG’s big buddy, David Rawle? I quit MUSC after 12 years hearing about the Rawle mega hundreds of thousands of wasted party dollars planned to open the new hospital. Left the cafeteria for my little office (smaller than a utility closet and I was a practicing REAL physician) to open a letter asking me to give more to the yes campaign. Gave my notice that day and been happy ever since. Cess pool is how I describe the lack of leadership after Jim Edwards carrying MUSC to the brink of greatness.
Tragic for all the employees at MUSC who are feeling like those at Enron. No wonder the rage is pouring out on these pages.
Painful for the spouses and children or Drs. Austin and Greenberg. For you to think all this is from one disgruntled coworker, Dr. Austin, is worrisome over your lack of analytical and communication skills.
Mr. Taylor do your job, please.
CB Elliot
By Candace on December 14th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Charles B., I bet Mr. Taylor would gladly respond if he, himself, were ever on campus. Check it out. I don’t think the guy comes to work. No one I know’s seen him in at least a year. And how much is he getting paid?
By William Austin on December 15th, 2008 at 2:20 am
I was surprised to note that Paul Taylor is still on the payroll. No one has seen him since he started asking questions about irregularities in the contract and construction of ART. And since you mentioned another of Ray’s pets – check out Saber Slaughter’s wife’s attendance. At least Linda Austin say she works one day per week for her fat check unlike Mrs. Slaughter who rarely makes an appearance at MUSC.
By Herb Clause on December 16th, 2008 at 12:17 am
I plan to give when I know Greenberg has given 50% of his salary:
December 15, 2008
Dear Colleague:
I am writing to you at this holiday time to inform you of a marvelous way for you to assist those in our University that are faced with furloughs. The UMA executive committee has agreed to match individual gifts through the Trident United Way that are directed by you to the MUSC Employee Furlough Relief Fund. Please find attached a word document and pdf document that both have a copy of your pledge form. We must receive these pledges by January 15 for them to be counted in the current campaign. Send them to Peggy Hotchkiss in our University Development Office (see form).
I realize you have received several pieces of mail inviting you to participate in the Medical University’s Trident United Way (TUW) fund-raising campaign. If you have already made a gift to this campaign, we thank you for your generosity. If you have not, now is your chance and we invite you to do so. If you have made a pledge, we are again asking you to consider increasing your matched contribution that benefits our furloughed MUSC employees. This new fund was created to help those MUSC employees most seriously affected by the university’s impending furlough.
As you know, the Medical University announced in November that 1,200 employees would have to take a four-day furlough to offset significant cuts in its state appropriation. Recognizing the financial hardship this announcement would cause, President Ray Greenberg asked the MUSC Foundation to create a new fund to assist those employees most seriously affected by the loss of income. The fund’s name: the MUSC Employee Furlough Relief Fund.
We are writing to let you know that, this year, you may direct your TUW campaign gift to this effort. Furthermore, University Medical Associates has agreed to match all contributions to this fund by UMA employees and College of Medicine faculty.
The MUSC Employee Relief Furlough Fund will consist entirely of private donations. Therefore, the amount of relief available to each eligible employee will depend on the amount of money contributed. Because all of our work is positively impacted through the hard work of these individuals, we hope to achieve a broad level of participation among UMA and College of Medicine employees. Our goal is to secure as many gifts as possible before year-end, so that we can provide these employees with financial assistance at a time when it is so desperately needed.
Please consider designating your TUW contribution to the MUSC Employee Relief Furlough Fund. In doing so, you can help brighten the holidays for our furloughed colleagues and provide them some much-needed relief during the troubled months that lie ahead. If you have any questions, please call 792-1973 (Peggy Hotchkiss.) Please accept our deepest thanks and warmest wishes for a safe and blessed holiday season.
Sincerely,
Jerry Reves, MD
By Hatch on December 16th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Good Question. Who knows where Paul Taylor is and assuming the above information is correct, why is he getting a paycheck? I haven’t seen him in months. And, where is Mrs. Slaughter, that is, if she is also still getting a paycheck?
By Death Knell on December 16th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Looks like all the dirt has piled up and is washed in the crypt. The ghosts have been released and that’s about it. Somebody must have either gotten to our friend, Will, or maybe this is how it goes — let the stink rise on the blog, and the expressing oppressed feel vindicated and eventually move on. It was quite a therapy session.