ONLY ON ABC-7: A look at evaluation that accounted for Valenti’s bonus
ABC-7 got a hold of University Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Jim Valenti’s contract with the hospital and performance evaluation for 2014 that got him a $119,915 bonus.
Local officials like county commissioners Carlos Leon and vince Perez have been vocal about the bonus, especially while the hospital continues to struggle financially.
Valenti’s contract states he is entitled to a bonus according to his performance.
The ABC-7 I-Team got a hold of Valenti’s performance evaluation for 2014. He was given an overall grade of 86.83.
County Commissioner Vince Perez said had not seen the evaluation until ABC-7 showed it to him.
“Part of our frustration has been access to information,” said Perez.
The evaluation was divided into four categories, each carrying its own weight:
Patient satisfaction counted 15%
Care management 20%
Strategic plan 30%
Operations improvement 35%
A smaller portion of ‘Operations Improvement’– 35% of the 35% dealt with the hospital’s budget. That was a goal not met because of the money owed by Children’s hospital. Children’s disputes the $70 million debt.
After more than 50 layoffs and missing budget by millions, only about 12% of Valenti’s entire bonus possibility was tied to the hospital’s finances. He earned near every other incentive.
The evaluation also included this note:
“If UMC financial performance is impacted negatively by CH (Children’s Hospital), CEO rating will not be affected.”
“That’s something that should have a higher degree of scrutiny, they shouldn’t say ‘well we’re just not going to consider,'” said Perez.
Valenti’s contract with UMC states he is ‘entitled’ to a bonus no more than 30% of his base salary once a performance evaluation is complete.
In the coming weeks, Perez said county commissioner will be analyzing evaluations and asking the tough questions.
“If this is one of the most difficult years, certainly in the past decade, and your still receiving bonuses on the high end that you’ve been receiving consistently over the past decade, under what circumstances would you not receive a bonus then?”
