Rahn Reflects on Eight-Year Tenure at UAMS During Farewell Address
| June 23, 2017 | Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D., reflected on the accomplishments of his eight-year tenure at UAMS and the challenges still facing the institution as he delivered his farewell address June 22 in the Fred W. Smith Auditorium in the Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute.
“I think there is a lot to be proud of,” he said. “Every year we’ve struggled with resources, but nonetheless, when you look at the amount of investment in UAMS and the amount of mission that has been accomplished, it is truly remarkable.”
Academic accomplishments include more than 20 new or revamped academic programs and an overall on-time graduation rate of 86 percent. UAMS has also significantly expanded its residency programs, including ones in internal medicine (Northwest Regional Campus), vascular surgery, palliative care, cardiac electrophysiology, maternal-fetal medicine fellowship and general practice dentistry.
“This year, 100 percent of our College of Medicine graduates were accepted into a residency program, an amazing achievement,” said Rahn.
UAMS has also achieved continued accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, the creation of a provost position, the introduction of the interprofessional education curriculum and the creation of a consolidated registrar’s office.
Research funding increased by more than 50 percent over the past three years, he said.
Clinically, significant changes included the implementation of the medical records system called Epic, the creation of the integrated clinical enterprise (ICE), the patient-centered medical home redesign of primary care practices, and the Level 1 Trauma Center verification by the American College of Surgeons.
UAMS has seen total operating revenues grow 50 percent — more than $500 million — between fiscal year 2009 and fiscal year 2018, largely as a result of clinical growth, he said.
UAMS has embarked on a number of vital partnerships that will help ensure our continued success, Rahn said, including the Partnership for a Healthy Arkansas, a restructured relationship with Arkansas Children’s and a growing collaboration with Baptist Health.
Significant investments in UAMS’ infrastructure — $460 million — have been made during the past eight years, Rahn said. This includes the $4.7 million earmarked in the 2018 budget to address immediate facilities and IT needs.
Rahn applauded employees for their part in cost savings initiatives that have resulted in more than $120 million in savings, even as he predicted that more savings would be needed.
Going forward, UAMS will have to confront the uncertainty regarding the future of the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion program called Arkansas Works, he said. An aging infrastructure must continue to be a priority. UAMS also must grapple with a revenue structure that derives only 10 percent of revenues from predictable sources such as tuition and state appropriations, with the rest coming from patient care revenue.
He cautioned employees that while an increase in the state appropriation for UAMS would certainly make life easier, it is unlikely. “I think it is going to be up to us,” he said.
“We are going to continue to see this institution succeed,” he said. “We are a mission-driven organization populated with dedicated, excellent people, and we succeed.”
In the future, UAMS will stay the course because it is on the right track, he said.
“UAMS has succeeded in making ourselves essential to our state,” he said. “This institution and its success are critically important to the future of Arkansas and the health of this state.”
Rahn ended his presentation with a blessing for UAMS going forward, emotionally reciting the lyrics from Nobel Prize in Literature winner Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young.”
May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay
Forever young
May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
And may you stay
Forever young
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
And may you stay
Forever young