Vanderbilt University Medical Center cuts jobs, freezes some hiring amid federal cuts
Amid rumors of layoffs, Vanderbilt University Medical Center officials acknowledged May 5 that "some positions have been eliminated," but declined to reveal how many employees will lose their jobs.
The cuts are in response to reductions in federal funding, according to an email from the hospital's chief communications officer John Howser. He declined to reveal the amount of money Vanderbilt expects to lose annually as President Donald Trump continues shrinking federal spending — including research aid from the National Institutes of Health.
The hospital initially acknowledged a hiring freeze for most research positions March 28, but declined to give specifics.
"In response to recent administrative orders impacting financial resources for medical research, it is necessary for VUMC to strategically reduce research operating costs," Howser said in a March statement.
Both in March and in May, Howser said that despite the cuts, Vanderbilt is continued its efforts to provide health care to Tennesseans, citing a new 180-bed medical tower, the largest expansion in the medical center's history.
The hospital "is continuing to hire frontline staff for its health system to accommodate ongoing growth in patient care and in preparation of the October opening" of the tower," Howser said.
The federal cuts to National Institutes of Health grants also are expected to deliver a "crushing" blow to Meharry Medical College, its president and CEO, Dr. James Hildreth, told The Tennessean during a March interview. The renowned epidemiologist said he is bracing for up to a $30 million loss of funding, which could jeopardize jobs and vital medical research.
The National Institutes of Health adopted a 15% cap on "indirect costs" for research, including equipment, laboratory space and utilities on Feb. 7.
Hildreth joined leaders at Vanderbilt's medical center and college, at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis and at the University of Tennessee Health System in Knoxville to send a letter in February to the Tennessee congressional delegation expressing "grave concern" of the anticipated cuts that "will drastically reduce support for vital research infrastructure and activities in Tennessee."
Reporter Beth Warren covers health care and can be reached at bwarren@tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville's Vanderbilt hospital cuts jobs amid NIH cuts
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