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                           JeffNEWS, July 1, 1995
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JMC Practice Plan Structure Changes July 1
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As one step in providing a more integrated patient-care delivery system 
and to enhance the ability of Jefferson Practice Plan physicians to 
negotiate effectively with managed care payors, the University's board of 
trustees has approved the organization of the clinical practices into a 
not-for-profit organization, The Jefferson Faculty Foundation.

The foundation establishes a single, organized multispecialty group 
practice to replace the present system of multiple providers. The 
foundation and its physicians will continue to support the University's 
educational, research and patient-care missions.

The University will employ approximately 430 Practice Plan clinicians for 
their teaching, research and administrative responsibilities; and the 
foundation will simultaneously employ them for their clinical 
responsibilities.

The approximately 540 office staff who support the Practice Plan clinicians
became employees of the foundation instead of the University on July 1. The
office staff include nurses, medical technologists, medical assistants,
medical records clerks, receptionists, schedulers and billing office
personnel.

"Present job titles and grades, salary level, including merit increases, 
Jefferson seniority date and present benefits, including OPT selections and 
accrued vacations and sick leave, will be maintained," said Joseph S. 
Gonnella, MD, senior vice president for academic affairs and dean, 
Jefferson Medical College.

Since the foundation is a separate employer, it may establish pension plans
apart from the University, and will provide retirement benefits comparable
to previous plans.

The foundation will adopt Jefferson's current human resources policies, 
and the University will continue to process payroll and administer benefits 
through the OPT program on behalf of the foundation.

The Jefferson Faculty Foundation will be governed by a board of directors 
consisting of the dean of the Medical College, 16 clinical department 
chairmen and eight at-large clinicians elected by the Practice Plan 
clinicians.

At an incorporating meeting of the foundation board, corporate officers 
were elected: president is Dr. Gonnella; secretary is Jose' F. Caro, MD,
the Magee Professor of Medicine and department chairman, and treasurer is 
Francis E. Rosato, MD, the Samuel D. Gross Professor of Surgery and 
department chairman.

The foundation will continue to participate in the University's strategic 
planning for healthcare service provision, including participation in 
HealthLINK, the University's management information system planning process 
for health services. 

If you have questions, the clinical practice activities office (2140 and 
8565) and the human resources department (5320) will gladly help you. 


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Information provided by:  Editor, JeffNEWS
                          (215) 955-6204
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