Nebraska Medicine interim board chair promises continuity amid Clarkson deal controversy

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OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Nebraska Medicine’s interim board chair promised employees Tuesday that day-to-day operations will not change as the hospital system navigates an ongoing legal battle over an $800 million deal.

Dr. Dele Davies, who also serves as UNMC interim chancellor, addressed employee concerns during a meeting with three interim board members.

The session came after the University of Nebraska Board of Regents fired Nebraska Medicine’s previous board last week and installed new leadership.

“I think our goal is to keep Nebraska Medicine functioning as close to what it is today as possible,” Davies said. “That’s our goal. That’s our commitment and that’s what every member of the board has committed to the leadership team.”

Employees raised pointed questions about job security, potential pay cuts and whether the Board of Regents would interfere with operations.

Davies said Nebraska Medicine will remain a nonprofit organization, not a state agency.

“The employees are gonna remain employed by Nebraska Medicine and they will be paid the same way they’re paid right now,” Davies said. “They’re gonna be recruited the same way. Leadership will have the day-to-day management that they have today.”

Davies could not answer questions about the ongoing legal fight surrounding the Clarkson Regional Health Services deal.

The controversy began Jan. 2 when the University of Nebraska Board of Regents and Clarkson Regional Health Services announced the deal for Clarkson to sell its stake in Nebraska Medicine to the university for $800 million.

The Board of Regents approved the deal Jan. 15. Two days later, Nebraska Medicine’s previous board filed a lawsuit to block it.

On Jan. 22, the regents fired that board and installed an interim one. The state attorney general also opened an investigation.

Leaders acknowledged they do not have all answers yet, including how money will flow between the organizations. They said there is work to do to rebuild trust.