Latest news with #JohnHowser
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
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@ This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville's Vanderbilt hospital cuts jobs amid NIH cuts
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Vanderbilt institutes research hiring freeze, braces for Trump NIH cuts: What to know
Vanderbilt University Medical Center acknowledged a hiring freeze Friday for most research positions as it and the nation's leading research hospitals brace for anticipated cuts in federal funding. Chief Communications Officer John Howser declined to give specifics on 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. But other school officials reportedly said they expect a $250 million reduction in funds. "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 statement to The Tennessean Friday. "Hiring for most research positions will be paused and other cost-saving measures will be implemented." The medical center hasn't suspended all hiring, stating that it "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 180-bed Jim Ayers Tower." The Nashville-based health care system announced last fall that it would hire thousands of doctors, nurses, technicians and others to staff the 15-floor tower. The more than $500 million project, off 21st Avenue across from Peabody College's Wyatt lawn, is the largest facility expansion in the medical center's history. Vanderbilt has not yet discussed what it will do to reduce costs or which research programs might be at risk. Here's what you should know as Tennessee's other top medical research centers, including Meharry Medical College, also face drastic cuts. The National Institutes of Health is the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world and is overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It provides grants to Tennessee, including: Vanderbilt's hospital and university as well as Meharry in Nashville; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis; and the University of Tennessee System. Leaders at the universities and research hospitals teamed in February to send a letter on Feb. 11 to the Tennessee legislative delegation expressing "grave concern" and asking for help stopping a 15% cap the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and NIH adopted Feb. 7. The cap cuts off funding for "indirect costs" for research, including equipment, laboratory space and utilities. These top Tennessee research institutions receive a combined $770 million annually in NIH funding. That means they face losing more than $115 million. The NIH had invested most of its nearly $48 billion budget in medical research to enhance life and reduce illness and disability. It helped fund key breakthroughs and new treatments. In Tennessee and across the nation, this research fueled new ways to treat cancer, dementia, sickle cell, diabetes and many other diseases and disorders impacting residents. The proposed NIH cuts could surpass $30 million annually and would be "crushing" to North Nashville's Meharry, Dr. James Hildreth, its CEO and president, told The Tennessean. "If the indirect costs are capped at 15%, I can tell you that many institutions will have no choice but to shrink their research enterprise," Hildreth said. He also is concerned about Trump's targeting programs across the nation that address diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI. Meharry is 149-years-old, one of the nation's oldest and largest historically Black academic health science centers and conducts pioneering research, including addressing racial disparities to promote health equity. Beth Warren covers health care and can be reached at bwarren@ This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt freezes some Nashville jobs as Trump NIH cuts loom
Fox News
18-03-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Vanderbilt Med Center 'hiding' DEI resources behind password-protected web pages: report
FIRST ON FOX: While some medical schools have taken steps to scrub their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) commitments from their websites, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) has been found to be hiding some of theirs behind password-protected web pages. The conservative nonprofit organization Consumers Research unveiled a campaign Tuesday titled, "What Is Vanderbilt University Medical Center Hiding?" after finding that VUMC was not just deleting some of its references to DEI commitments and resources, but also keeping some and hiding them from public view. The campaign includes a website, complete with screenshots and archived web links, showing the various web pages tied to DEI and climate activism that are now password-protected. The Consumers' Research campaign also includes a mobile billboard that the nonprofit has deployed at the university to raise awareness about VUMC's actions. "Vanderbilt University Medical Center is frantically trying to conceal its radical policies by password-protecting and deleting webpages highlighting its commitment to DEI and climate activism," Will Hild, Consumers' Research executive director, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Until recently, VUMC proudly touted its woke ideology, showcasing DEI policies and an activist climate agenda prominently throughout its website. But now, the health system is scrambling to hide the evidence. This seemingly nefarious behavior begs the question, what is Vanderbilt University Medical Center hiding?" While VUMC deleted several web pages related to DEI resources and programs that it offers within specific departments, VUMC's Office of Diversity and Inclusion website allegedly remains active, only to be accessed with a username and password, according to the nonprofit. A VUMC Department of Medicine web page touting its commitment to recruit "a diverse resident and fellow population" and laying out resources for those "underrepresented in medicine" is now hidden as well. Other web pages about prioritizing "climate care as health care" and other left-wing climate change initiatives have also become password-protected, Consumers' Research found. In a statement to Fox News Digital, VUMC spokesperson John Howser said that in light of President Donald Trump's recent executive actions mandating an end to DEI programs, particularly in educational institutions, VUMC "is undertaking a thorough review" of its programs to figure out "where revisions may be required to remain in compliance, including updating information on websites and other public platforms." "While we undertake that review, we have elected to take down related websites to ensure current, accurate, and factual information," Howser added. "VUMC remains committed to maintaining an environment in which all our employees, patients and visitors feel equally welcome, respected and valued." Included in the Consumers' Research campaign is a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., calling on HHS and the Department of Government Efficiency to investigate VUMC. "VUMC, a top research hospital in the United States, relies heavily on federal dollars," the letter states. "Taxpayer dollars should be used to prioritize patient care, not political activism. Consumers' Research stands ready to assist as needed to ensure accountability and protect consumers." VUMC was investigated by Tennessee's Attorney General's Office in 2023 amid allegations that a doctor at VUMC was manipulating medical billing codes to evade insurance coverage-limitations for transgender treatments. The investigation followed a video released in 2022, which allegedly showed a VUMC doctor touting transgender surgeries for minors as "huge money makers" and telling anyone with a religious objection to providing them should quit.
