WHY DID THE CFO OF UVA HEALTH STEP DOWN?

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. They are not willing to use their names yet out of fear of retaliation by UVA Health senior leaders. We believe our community should value and protect its healthcare providers who have dedicated their lives to helping UVA patients.

Every doctor we spoke with at UVA Health cited their passion for teaching as the reason they have forgone higher income in order to work at our community’s public teaching hospital.

They expressed concern about the swelling of the UVA Health Leadership C-suite ranks and the corresponding increase of spending on leadership’s salaries while nursing and essential hospital support staff remains understaffed and underfunded.

They expressed consternation at the increasing reliance on outside consultants and the millions of dollars spent on controversial plans.

They expressed frustration at watching UVA Health senior leaders tout hospital acquisitions around the state that diverted resources from supporting their patients in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties.

They expressed alarm at the increasing emphasis placed by UVA Health senior leaders on revenue and ranking at the seeming expense of morale and patient service.

Those that raised their questions and concerns about the financial strategy of UVA Health were repeatedly assured that the CEO of UVA Health was doing outstanding work. So they asked us to ask you…

Why did the CFO of UVA Health suddenly step down in February 2024?

We have been advised by counsel that merely asking these questions could result in UVA Health senior leaders taking the following actions against their patients and concerned members of their community:

• Send threatening cease and desist letters in an attempt to silence these questions.

• Retaliate against the UVA Health professionals who are speaking out.

• Deny the validity of any of this.

We’re dismayed by all of this. We do not take it lightly when we ask you:

1. Is it true that on February 27, 2024 the CEO of UVA Health sent the following email?

From: officeoftheceoofuvahealth@mc.virginia.edu
Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2024 1:20 PM
Subject: UVA Health Finance Leadership Update

Dear Colleagues,

I write to share that Doug Lischke has decided to step down from his role as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of UVA Health and we look forward to his continued leadership as he transitions to serving as Special Advisor to the CEO for Financial Strategy.

Doug joined UVA Health in 2015 as Chief Accounting Officer and became CFO in 2018. Over the last eight and a half years, Doug has led with optimism and grace even in the face of numerous headwinds including reimbursement cuts, COVID, inflation, workforce shortages, and many more. Doug played a vital role in the acquisition and integration of UVA Community Health and led the successful implementation of our consolidated revenue cycle and payor contracting office.

We are on solid financial footing, which has become increasingly uncommon in academic medicine. Thanks to Doug’s tireless efforts, we are in a financial position that allows us to continue to grow and invest in our organization. His achievements and contributions to the health system are significant.

We are grateful to Doug for all he has accomplished, and we look forward to his continued leadership as he transitions to his new role at UVA Health where he will provide me and my leadership team insights and recommendation to maximize our resource stewardship, a key component of our strategic plan.

Details regarding interim leadership will be shared soon.

Sincerely,

Craig

2. Why did the CFO of UVA Health transition to serve as a Special Advisor to the CEO of UVA Health for Financial Strategy?

3. Is it true that 8 days later on March 6, 2024 the CEO of UVA Health sent the following email?

From: UVAHealthLeadership@mc.virginia.edu
Sent: Wednesday, March 6. 2024 1:01 PM
Subject: UVA Health Finance Leadership Update

Dear colleagues,

Last week, I shared that Doug Lischke had decided to step down from his role as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of UVA Health and would be transitioning to serve in the role as Special Advisor to the CEO for Financial Strategy.

Today, I would like to announce the bittersweet news that Doug has accepted the Chief Financial Officer role at the Medical University of South Carolina — the largest academic health system in South Carolina — with a start date of April 8. This opportunity represents an extraordinary career opportunity for Doug, a clear testament to his deep experience and incredible talents in the area of complex financial stewardship within premier academic health institutions.

I am tremendously grateful for Doug’s leadership over the past several years, ensuring that UVA Health is on solid financial footing as we continue to grow and invest in our organization in alignment with our 10-year Strategic Plan.

I invite you to join me in wishing Doug much success as he takes on this exciting new role, one extremely befitting of Doug’s expertise and talents.

Sincerely,

K. Craig Kent, MD
Chief Executive Officer, UVA Health
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, University of Virginia

4. Is it true that the Medical University of South Carolina never announced the hiring of the former CFO of UVA Health and instead sent out an email on April 9, 2024 with the following information?

From: MUSC Office of Communications and Marketing
Sent: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 3:05:33 PM
Subject: Chief Financial Officer Named

Dear University colleagues,‌

After a nationwide search, we are pleased to announce that Susie Edwards, CPA, has been appointed as the new chief financial officer for the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), effective April 15.

Can you help us understand if any of this is true and if so…

What is going on at UVA Health?

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.