UMC board meets to discuss disciplinary action against CEO, takes no action

Members of the University Medical Center board heard from dozens of people during public comment Friday morning, every one of them praising hospital CEO Jim Valenti.

The hospital’s leader has been under scrutiny after he disclosed details of negotiations between UMC and the Children’s Hospital without authorization from the board and without sharing the plan first with El Paso Commissioners Court, which oversees UMC.

Valenti also has been criticized for accepting a $120,000 bonus just months after 56 employees were laid off. The board has maintained it’s contractually obligated to award the bonus and Valenti met all the goals set by the board last year. The CEO’s goals did not include a measure that reflected the hospital’s financial status.

“Almost an hour into public comment and not one negative word from speakers about UMC CEO Jim Valenti, not even from a woman who was laid off,” tweeted ABC-7 reporter Darren Hunt, who was at the meeting.

The board is considering disciplinary action against Valenti.

When the CEO took the podium, he said he was concerned disciplinary action now could be used to lead a larger action against him in the future and asked the board to let him keep his job.

“I will do everything in my power to be a better person and a better executive. Please allow me the chance to finish my mission,” he said.

Valenti’s speech was followed by a standing ovation by many of the approximately 75 people in attendance at the meeting.

In the summer, UMC faced a $60 million shortfall after the Children’s Hospital failed to make payments for shared services. UMC board chairman William Hanson said this month the debt is now $81 million dollars. Children’s disputes that amount.

The board spent about one hour meeting behind closed doors. Members then came out and took no action. Hanson said they “plan to meet to discuss communication issues” at a later date.