I thanked them and requested that the FY27 authorization (previously approved but not yet disbursed) be maintained.<\/p>\n Specifically we are requesting a total of $43 million comprising:<\/p>\n In case you are wondering, as you can see from the graphic below, we have approximately $500M in capital needs. From a definition standpoint, \u201cRecurring Deferred Renewal\u201d represents items at or past the end of normal useful life that have not been addressed, whereas \u201cRecurring Projected Renewal\u201d represents the items that are projected to be at the end of normal useful life within the next 10-year period. Finally \u201cNonrecurring Renewal\u201d consists of modifications or repairs necessary to comply with fire\/life safety etc. These are considered one-time projects. Sample projects are Stair Railing Replacements and elevator upgrades to meet accessibility requirements.<\/p>\n I also thanked the subcommittee for their support in authorizing the bonding for the UConn Health Waterbury partnership.<\/p>\n By the way, this week we also held the first regular UConn Health Community Network Board meeting to approve capital expenditures, and review growth plans.<\/p>\n Switching gears, this week I and the UConn Foundation also met with donors to discuss UConn Health\u2019s exciting strategic initiative called the UConn Health AI Institute. The blueprint is still in the development stage, but we anticipate the AI Institute will include the following components:<\/p>\n Talking about philanthropy, this week I also presented to the UConn Foundation at their Campaign Leadership Committee Meeting and highlighted the need for funding for a new Labor and Delivery facility.<\/p>\n Other priorities that we discussed are noted below:<\/p>\n There have been some significant achievements this week. First, I would like to congratulate Kevin Chamberlin, AVP and chief pharmacy officer, and his team for securing approval by the CT Commission of Pharmacy for the retail pharmacy that will open later this year within the walls of John Dempsey Hospital.<\/p>\n Thanks to those who submitted ideas, we\u2019re calling it the Blue Oak Pharmacy. As Kevin tells us, \u201cWe look forward to provide retail pharmacy services to our staff and patients that will enhance our Meds to Beds service and allow for after-hours pickup via medication lockers. Stay tuned for more information on Blue Oak Pharmacy as we approach the anticipated opening in late fall 2026!\u201d<\/p>\n I would also like to congratulate Dr Enrique Ballesteros, chair of our Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and his team for securing ACGME accreditation for a pathology residency program. Congratulations as well to Dr Gahie Nam, pathology residency director, and Liz Barrientos, program coordinator, for all their efforts to get the new residency approved. I\u2019d also like to acknowledge Dr. Steven Angus, assistant dean for graduate medical education, GME Director Martha Wilkie, Dean Bruce Liang, Dr. Kiki Nissen, senior associate dean for faculty affairs, and CFO Jeff Geoghegan for all their support for this new program.<\/p>\n As Dr. Ballesteros tells us, \u201cThis is an exciting new chapter for pathology at UConn Health that will support continued growth in diagnostic services, education, and scholarly activities. It will be a great privilege to educate the next generation of pathologists!\u201d<\/p>\n Finally, speaking of accreditation, I am proud to learn this week that the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) has bestowed upon our medical school\u2019s Office of Community and Continuing Medical Education<\/a> its highest level of recognition. With the ACCME\u2019s Accreditation with Commendation<\/em> comes the longest accreditation term possible, six years. Please read more about this on UConn Today<\/a>, and join me in congratulating Dr. Christine Thatcher, associate dean for medical education and assessment, and Dean Liang for their success in continuing to elevate the UConn School of Medicine.<\/p>\n Although we have made good progress we are not quite finished seeking fair rates from health insurance companies. I wanted to give you an update on our ongoing negotiations with Cigna. We have been working to secure a new agreement that reflects the real cost of delivering high-quality care to our patients. While we continue to negotiate in good faith, Cigna\u2019s current proposal does not represent fair or sustainable terms.<\/p>\n If we are unable to reach an agreement by April 30, 2026, both UConn John Dempsey Hospital and the UConn Medical Group providers and facilities will become out-of-network for patients covered by Cigna. Behavioral health services, and all providers and facilities that are part of UConn Health Waterbury Hospital, UConn Health Waterbury Health at Home and UConn Health Community Network Medical Group are not affected and will remain in network. Fair and sustainable agreements with insurers are essential to ensuring we can continue providing high-quality care to our patients and communities.<\/p>\n We remain committed to the negotiation process and hopeful that we will reach an agreement before the deadline. Additional information is available at uconnhealth.org\/cigna<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n As we grow our UConn Health Community Network, beginning with our Waterbury partnership, our IT team has a critical \u2014 and largely unseen \u2014 role in enabling seamless, connected care across our community partners, both present and future.<\/p>\n Monday IT held a leadership summit to reflect on our implementation of our electronic health record system Epic in 2018 and define where we are heading next, based on a forward-looking approach to scaling Epic and supporting future growth. We are building on our strong foundation of experience as we prepare to implement the UConn Health Community Connect program, a strategic extension of Epic that enhances EHR compatibility throughout our network. The vision is to share our Epic system with partner organizations and provide the IT services needed to build, run, and support Epic for them under a shared governance model.<\/p>\n I\u2019d like to acknowledge Ingrid Napoletano, AVP for IT clinical systems, and our entire IT staff, under the leadership of CIO Rick McCarthy, for their work to ensure these transitions happen securely and effectively.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a letter from a patient in praise of Justin Krajcik, one of our phlebotomists:, I\u2019d like to share:<\/p>\n Justin was the only employee in the lab the morning of a snowstorm. He drew everyone\u2019s labs and was so pleasant when he came out to the waiting room. He also offered to take my type and screen to the main lab himself if the couriers were not available.<\/span><\/p>\n Thank you, Justin, for your excellent service and willingness to go above and beyond!<\/p>\n I\u2019d like to close this week with a reminder that Monday, March 30, is Doctors\u2019 Day \u2014 a day we take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate the dedication of our physicians, dentists, and researchers. My leadership team and I are grateful for your commitment to your patients, your students, and your science, not just today, but every day.<\/p>\n I invite you to watch this short Doctors\u2019 Day video, which shows our impact on our state\u2019s health care workforce, and join me in saying thank you to our physicians, dentists, and researchers:<\/p>\n![\"Slide:](\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2603-ceo-uconn-2000-bioscience-ct-projects.png\")
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\n<\/strong>The Institute will act as a strategic hub coordinating AI development, and commercial collaboration for rapid local and nationwide impact.<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>With appropriate governance and safeguards, UConn Health will validate suitable AI solutions for clinical, research, and operational application.<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>The AI institute will partner for the commercialization expertise necessary to prepare AI innovations for market and sustainability.<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>If funding is available, the AI institute will likely have an AI Venture aspect which could be student-led, AI institute guided.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n
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