September 12, 2024
To: The Rector and Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia
Robert D. Hardie
Carlos M. Brown
Robert M. Blue
Daniel M. Brody
U. Bertram Ellis Jr.
Marvin W. Gilliam Jr.
The Hon. Paul C. Harris
Stephen P. Long, MD
Paul B. Manning
John L. Nau III
David O. Okonkwo, MD
The Hon. L.F. Payne
Amanda L. Pillion
Rachel W. Sheridan
David F. Webb
Douglas D. Wetmore
Porter N. Wilkinson
Michael J. Kennedy
Lisa R. Kopelnik
Cc: University of Virginia Peer-Elected Faculty Leaders
Stephen H. Culp, MD
James H. Lambert
Michael Ragosta III, MD
Jeri K. Seidman
Megan C. Tracci, MD, JD
Re: UVA Health Concerns Communicated by Faculty to Leadership
Thank you for your response on 9/6/24 signed by Robert Hardie, Rector and Jim Ryan, President that acknowledged receipt of the 9/5/24 UVA FACULTY LETTER OF NO CONFIDENCE IN CRAIG KENT AND MELINA KIBBE and stated, "the Board of Visitors and University Administration take these allegations seriously, and we are in the process of determining appropriate next steps."
We took you at your word and did not intend to contact you again until hearing your proposed action plan.
Unfortunately, the multiple communications from various University leaders and HSB board members over the last six days have undermined your assertion that the University Administration was taking these allegations seriously.
Specifically, "A Message from President Ryan to Medical School Faculty" sent on 9/7/24 less than 24 hours after the respectful message he co-signed with Rector Robert Hardie has destroyed what little trust in him remained.
We will refrain from addressing the entirety of his letter at this time out of respect for the Board of Visitors while you determine next steps. We trust we will hear from you promptly.
To dispel the notion there is no evidence to support the serious allegations in the 9/5/24 No Confidence Letter, we will focus on one sentence in Jim Ryan's message:
"Even though it is difficult to investigate generalized and anonymous claims of wrongdoing, without specific details or names to follow up with, we will do our best to investigate."
We suggest starting with the calendars and inboxes of Jim Ryan, Ian Baucom, Krista Barnes, Babur Lateef, Victoria Harker, John Kosky, Craig Kent, and Melina Kibbe.
We have included a partial timeline below of meetings and communications between faculty and UVA senior leaders dating back to 2021 in which concerns linked to the allegations in the 9/5/24 No Confidence Letter were raised. There has been negligible, if any, follow-up from University Administration.
We are once again putting the University of Virginia Board of Visitors on notice and imploring you to get control of our leadership before further damage is done.
UVA HEALTH CONCERNS COMMUNICATED BY FACULTY TO LEADERSHIP
September 2021: UPG Board Email to Jim Ryan Re: No Confidence in Craig Kent
October 7, 2021: UPG Board Meeting with Jim Ryan Re: No Confidence in Craig Kent
December 12, 2022: CSEC Letter Re: Revenue Cycle and Culture
June 4, 2022: Letter to Clinical Staff Opening Question Box for June 8th Meeting
June 8, 2022: Joint CSEC/UPG Informational Session
February 8, 2023: Follow-up CSEC Letter Re: Revenue Cycle and Culture
March 2023: Jim Ryan’s exit interview with outgoing clinical faculty leader Re: retaliation by Craig Kent and Melina Kibbe
Fall 2023: Multiple (4+) Open Letters to Craig Kent and Melina Kibbe about OTUA and culture from concerned faculty of primary care practices (Fontaine, UMA, Orange, Family Medicine)
January 9, 2024: School of Medicine Faculty Senate Representatives Meeting with Ian Baucom and Maïté Brandt-Pearce Re: SCHOOL OF MEDICINE FACULTY SENATE RESOLUTION ON One Team | United Access and School of Medicine Culture
January 10, 2024: SCHOOL OF MEDICINE FACULTY SENATE RESOLUTION ON One Team | United Access and School of Medicine Culture added to Jim Ryan's agenda
January 29, 2024: School of Medicine Faculty Senate Representatives and CSEC Leadership Meeting with Craig Kent and Melina Kibbe facilitated by Ian Baucom
January 31, 2024: School of Medicine Faculty Senate Representatives and CSEC Leadership Meeting with Craig Kent and Melina Kibbe Re: Culture
March 5, 2024: School of Medicine General Faculty Meeting with Craig Kent and Melina Kibbe Re: Culture - witnessed by Maïté Brandt-Pearce
March 29, 2024: School of Medicine Faculty Senate representatives and CSEC Leadership meeting with Maïté Brandt-Pearce Re: Melina Kibbe's retaliatory and intimidating responses to March 5, 2024 meeting
April 15, 2024: Small group meeting of faculty with Maïté Brandt-Pearce focused on retaliation used by Melina Kibbe and Department of Surgery Chair
April 22, 2024: Small group meeting of faculty with Maïté Brandt-Pearce focused on retaliation and intimidation tactics used by Craig Kent, Melina Kibbe, and Department of Surgery Chair
April 24, 2024: School of Medicine Faculty Senate representatives meeting with Craig Kent and Melina Kibbe regarding concerns with misuse of ASPIRE values in Promotion & Tenure and Compensation Plan
May 6, 2024: Multiple formal reports filed by at least 3 faculty (willing to move forward by naming themselves) with John Kosky in Human Resources that resulted in hours of subsequent interviews
May 31, 2024: Faculty Senate meeting with UVA School of Medicine Dean of Faculty Affairs and Chair of Peer Support and Triage Subcommittee of the Credentials Committee Re: Concerns with misuse of ASPIRE values in Promotion & Tenure and Compensation Plan
July 19, 2024: Small group meeting of faculty with Ian Baucom and Maïté Brandt-Pearce regarding retaliation, toxic culture, Melina Kibbe, and Craig Kent
August 14, 2024: Small group meeting of faculty with Jim Ryan regarding retaliation, toxic culture, Craig Kent, and Melina Kibbe
September 5, 2024: UVA Faculty Letter of No Confidence in Craig Kent and Melina Kibbe delivered to the Rector and Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia
What is going on at UVA Health?
We are Concerned Citizens of Charlottesville and Patients of UVA Health who are troubled by what we have heard from many UVA Health professionals over the past year.
These professionals are not only our doctors and nurses but also our friends, family and neighbors. We believe our community should value and protect its health care workers who have dedicated their lives to helping UVA patients.
A Parrhesiastes is someone who speaks the truth in a clear and honest way…
It's about the courage to speak one’s mind even when it's difficult or unpopular…to prioritize truth over social niceties or personal gain...
But speaking the truth can be dangerous. A Parrhesiastes understands this risk and is willing to face the consequences, from social disapproval to vindictive employers or even violence...
Because ultimately Parrhesiastes act out of a sense of duty.
They believe speaking the truth is necessary for the greater good and to protect the people and institution they love.
Thank you for pressing on, don’t give up!