Legislators criticize trip to Disney center

IOWA CITY (AP) - Two legislators are criticizing University of Iowa officials over plans to spent $130,000 to send 35 hospital workers to Orlando, Fla., for several days of training offered at a center connected with Disney World.

Reps. Jeff Kaufmann and Pat Grassley question spending money on the trip and training at a time when the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics are dealing with severe budget problems.

Gordon Williams, the university health care's chief of operations, says plans call for sending hospital administrators, doctors, nursers and other staffers to the Disney Institute in Orlando in the spring for 2-1/2 days of training.

The Disney Institute focuses on customer service, an area Williams says the hospital needs to improve.