Regents OK new University of Iowa Health Care Board of Advisors

State regents today approved the creation of a new University of Iowa Health Care Board of Advisors, to advise the UI president on the operations and directions of UI Health Care entities.

Two members of the state Board of Regents -- Bob Downer of Iowa City and Nicole Carroll of Carroll -- were appointed to serve on the 13-member board.

The group will serve only in an advisory capacity, UI President Sally Mason said, and the Board of Regents remains the decision-making group overseeing UI Health Care and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The board will advise on various issues, including UI Health Care strategic planning, long-term financial planning and facilities planning, financial and internal audits and oversight of patient safety and quality.

"Decision-making power rests in the Board of Regents and that will not change," Mason said.

UI Health Care includes the Carver College of Medicine, UI Hospitals and Clinics and the University of Iowa Physicians.

Along with two members of the regents, membership will include UI leaders, such as the UI Hospitals and Clinics chief executive officer, Carver College of Medicine dean, UI general counsel, several other UI officials and four external independent members, to be named by the UI president. Mason will serve as chairwoman of the board.

UI officials are in discussion with well-respected, well-known individuals to serve as the outside members of the new group, some who are from Iowa and some from outside of Iowa, Mason said.