Intercom

Volume2/1977_July21INTERCOM U benefits increase with July 1 changes Several changes in University employee benefits became effective July 1, with evidence of one change appearing in the paychecks received by Medical Center staff last week. These changes are as follows: Retirement Plan Contributions Payroll deductions to cover employees' retirement fund contributions increased 1.05 percent for all permanent staff members who work 50 percent or more of full time and are thus required by state law to be covered by a retirement plan. The increase was experienced both by employees who have chosen the retirement plan offered by the Utah State Retirement System (U.S.R.S.) and by those who have selected the plan offered through the Teachers' Insurance and Annuity Association of America (T.I.A.A.). But perhaps less obvious was a corresponding increase - also of 1.05 percent - in the amount of the University's contribution to each employee's retirement fund. The total University contribution to U.S.R.S. on behalf of each member employee is now an amount equal to 13.15 percent of the individual's salary. The University contribution to T.I.A.A. is an amount equal to 12.1 percent of each member employee's salary. Employees who belong to U.S.R.S. contribute 3.15 percent of their salaries to their retirement plan, while employees who subscribe to T.I.A.A. contribute 2.1 percent. Another change in the retirement plan benefit effective July 1 is that employees belonging to T.I.A.A. may now participate in a tax shelter plan. Insurance Coverage The total premiums paid by the University to Blue Cross/ Blue Shield and to Family Health Plan have increased 10 percent. This means that the University is now paying $24.34 per month for each employee with individual coverage, $59.65 for two-party plans and $68.08 for family plans. In addition, the Blue Cross benefit for maternity coverage under the University's group plan has increased from $300 to $600. For those employees who have selected Family Health Plan insurance, maternity payments to hospitals are now limited to $400. Family Health Plan office visits have increased from $3 to $4. Remaining unchanged are a number of other employee benefits offered by the University to its employees. These benefits are, according to Hospital Personnel Director Phil Hanson, "among the best offered by any employer in the area." RESPONSE Q. Is it really necessary for coffee breaks in the hospital cafeteria to be so expensive? The last time I bought a maple bar I noticed that the price had gone up to 35 cents. Then I checked the same item at Winchell's, where it is 20 cents; Dunford's, where it is 19 cents; and 7-Eleven, where it is 24 cents. Why does it cost so much more here? - Brad Nelson A. Better luck next time. It doesn't seem that you've talked the dietary department into lowering its prices. Apparently the department's operating costs are considerably greater than those of the businesses you surveyed - so prices must be higher if the department is to break even financially. Once each year, representatives of the dietary department and the hospital administration carefully review the current prices of all 10,000 items provided by the hospital's food service and make necessary changes. And this year's review says your maple bar should really cost you 35 cents if you choose to buy it in the cafeteria. The recent cost increase has taken into consideration such factors as increased raw food costs as well as internal cost increases such as salary increases for departmental staff members. Still another cost associated with your maple bar is the cost of getting it here. Since no local bakery provides free delivery, the dietary department must budget for a payment to a middleman delivery service in addition to the baker's wholesale price for the maple bar. Editor's Note: If you have a question of general interest about Medical Center or University policies and procedures, submit them to Intercom, c/o Community Relations Department, Room AC111. Answers will be solicited from the departments or services involved. Personal responses will be made to all signed questions whether or not they are selected for publication in this column. CENTER SUMMARY New staff Dr. Kent Jones joined the Medical Center staff on July 1 as an assistant professor of surgery and head of the division of cardio-thoracic surgery. A native of Salt Lake City, Dr. Jones graduated from the University of Utah College of Medicine in 1969. From 1971-1973, he was on the staff of the Heart and Lung Institute of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. Recently, he completed a residency in general and thoracic surgery at Duke University Medical School in Durham, N.C. Doug Smith, whose title is "perfusionist," now operates the heart-lung machine during open heart surgery at University Hospital. Mr. Smith joined the hospital staff in mid-May, then left almost immediately for six weeks at Duke University Medical Center to work with Dr. Kent Jones who was then on the Duke staff. Promotions and new assignments Thurza Patterson assumed the position of assistant director of medical records July 1, following her recent completion of an accredited records technician course. Ms. Patterson has been on the staff of the medical records department since 1965. Chad Willis has been named assistant director of management information and systems for University Hospital. In that role, he will be responsible for the department's computer services and management engineering activities. Cheryl Peay- Woolsey has been appointed head nurse for the I.V. team, replacing Sue Breckenridge who has taken a leave of absence. Ms. Peay-Woolsey was previously an I.V. team staff nunse. Correction The July 8 issue of Intercom announced incorrectly that Sue Rinderknecht had been appointed head nurse for the 5 West patient unit. Ms. Rinderknecht was appointed assistant head nurse for that unit. Peggy Brown remains as head nurse. Honors Bud Zirker, director of the hospital's linen service department, recently qualified to use the title of certified laundry manager by meeting requirements set by the National Association of Institutional Laundry Managers. Goings on Representatives of the University parking services department will be available in the private dining room Aug. 11, 12 and 15 to sell 1977-78 parking stickers to Medical Center staff. Their schedule will be as follows: Aug. 11: 8 A.M. - 12 noon; 3 P.M. - 5 P.M. Aug. 12: 8 A.M. - 12 noon; 2 P.M.- 4 P.M. Aug. 15: 8 A.M. - 12 noon; 1 P.M. - 3 P.M. Sticker purchases may also be made at the parking services office in Building 416. Oct. 1 is the deadline for the new stickers to be displayed on all cars parked in the faculty and staff areas of the University lots. Departures Millie Peterson will leave University Hospital July 26 to take a job with a local certified public accounting firm. Ms. Peterson has been on the hospital staff for more than 10 years. For the past seven years, she has been an executive secretary in the hospital administration office. DATES TO NOTE Aug. 17: University Hospital Employee Picnic, Big Cottonwood Regional Park Sept. 1: Volunteer Auxiliary Benefit Golf Tournament, Mt. Dell Golf Course Sept. 16: Medical Center Scotch Foursome Golf Tournament, University of Utah Golf Course Intercom University of Utah Medical Center Intercom is published every two weeks by the Department of Development and Community Relations, University of Utah Medical Center, AC 111, for the purpose of interdepartmental communications. Article ideas, letters to the editor, and questions for investigation are welcome at any time