A Message from the President | University of Colorado

Memorial lease approval a boon for Colorado Springs, SOM students

Colorado Springs voters last week agreed by an impressive margin to lease the Memorial Health System to University of Colorado Health, a decision that will bring approximately $1.8 billion to the city over time. The move not only contributes to the health and well-being of people in the Colorado Springs area, but also allows us to expand our educational opportunities for students in the CU School of Medicine (SOM).

University of Colorado Health will begin operating Memorial on Oct. 1.

As part of the bid for Memorial Hospital, University of Colorado Health is offering funding of $3 million a year for 40 years for CU School of Medicine operations in Colorado Springs. Training could begin in April 2016 for 24 or more students who enter SOM in 2014. It will provide third- and fourth-year medical students training in clinical settings at Memorial and other sites in the Colorado Springs area.

The move will allow SOM to increase the number of students it accepts and trains, and therefore the number of doctors it produces – a benefit to Colorado. It also will benefit the Colorado Springs community by providing opportunities for interprofessional health care education with the Beth-El School of Nursing at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

The Aug. 28 special election drew 41 percent voter participation, with 83 percent of those voters favoring the new arrangement. The decision marks the first change in governance for Memorial since it was acquired by the city of Colorado Springs in 1943.

Although the city will retain ownership of Memorial's buildings, the organization's employees and operations will be transferred to University of Colorado Health. Additionally, Memorial Hospital for Children will now be operated by Children's Hospital Colorado as part of the change.

Photos by Jeff Foster, University Advancement

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