Pediatricians upset about UMC CEO’s deposition

Pediatricians at El Paso Children’s Hospital say University Medical Center CEO Jim Valenti wasn’t telling the truth in his bankruptcy deposition.

One wrote a stinging letter to the judge and gathered 60 signatures from local pediatricians.

Dr. Aaron Ross challenges Valenti’s answers to a couple key questions in that deposition.

“I’m willing to fight for the Children’s Hospital,” Ross told ABC-7.

Valenti was asked in the deposition: “If the UMC bankruptcy plan is approved, what impact do you think that would have upon the pediatric physicians and their willingness to stay at Children’s Hospital?”

Valenti answered: “My board chairman and myself visit with approximately 80 percent of the pediatric physicians in the community … They openly state they have supported myself not 100 percent, but 200 percent.”

Valenti was also asked: “Are there Children’s Hospital doctors who would be opposed to UMC taking over Children’s Hospital?”

His response: “I imagine there could be. I don’t know of any. None have expressed that to myself.”

“I want the judge to know that El Paso Children’s doctors are not behind a UMC takeover,” Ross told ABC-7.

Ross wrote to Judge Chris Mott: “mr. Valenti asserts that he is supported by at least 80 percent of the pediatricians in the community. This is a bold claim that is not believable. We can state without reservation the takeover of EPCH by UMC is opposed by a large majority of pediatricians. We oppose the takeover of EPCH by UMC.”

“There’s not support for Mr. Valenti at El Paso Children’s. That’s just a fact. There’s no support. I’m sorry.”

Valenti would not speak on camera to ABC-7, but UMC did send a written response, saying it would not engage in mudslinging or personal attacks.

“Jim Valenti has met with many El Paso Children’s Hospital and community physicians, individually and in groups — and they have provided support to UMC and Valenti’s efforts to find a solution to help EPCH,” the UMC statement reads.

Dr. Ross told ABC-7 pediatricians at the hospital just don’t trust Valenti. Asked if UMC does take over the Children’s whether doctors will stay or leave, he said “there are doctors who have said, ‘No matter what, they will not work for Valenti.’ He said he would be in a “wait and see” mode if UMC took over Children’s Hospital.