UI training trip to Florida decried as wasteful

A Republican lawmaker said a training trip to the Disney Institute planned for University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics staff is part of an “epidemic of arrogance” in the state regents system.

Jeff Kaufmann, R-Wilton, said Thursday that the trip to Orlando, Fla., at an estimated cost of $130,000, is the latest in a string of poor fiscal decisions given the economic climate. Kaufmann said he may form a group of like-minded lawmakers to push for regents reform and more oversight.

“It's not just about Disney, although I think that is ludicrous at this time,” Kaufmann said. “This is about decision after decision after decision.”

State Board of Regents President David Miles declined to comment.

UI Hospitals officials said the Disney Institute training is needed to improve patient satisfaction. Improvement will lead to happier patients and more patients, they say. No taxpayer money will be used for the trip.

“We hadn't thought about putting it on hold, because the initiative is so important,” said Gordon Williams, chief of operations for UI Health Care. “We need to do it right.”

The $130,000 cost would cover a customized course over 2-1/2 days for about 35 hospital leaders and staff, plus their airfare, food and lodging. A contract has not been signed, but officials hope the training can happen in the spring.

Hospital leaders considered other corporate training models, but felt Disney was the best fit, Williams said. Last year, the hospital paid $3,000 for a few hours of Disney training in Iowa City.

Kaufmann questioned why the training can't be done by the UI Tippie College of Business.

He also pointed to other UI expenditures, such as the addition of a chief of staff for UI President Sally Mason and plans to hire a new UI vice president for strategic communication, as poor decisions.

Hospital leaders have reduced expenses by $27 million since September 2008, and they are working to cut nearly $17 million more this year.