UNE president: Health clinics not closing
The president of the University of New England is trying to dispel rumors that the school is closing its six community health clinics in Portland, Saco and Biddeford and wavering on its commitment to osteopathic medicine.
In an interview with WGME 13, Danielle Ripich said the university is working with other organizations to transfer control of the health clinics rather than close them. "We didn't communicate that message very well and I think what people heard was ‘our clinics were closing.' That's not true. The university health clinics will remain open," Ripich said.
Early reports said UNE was working with Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford to take over the clinics, but no formal agreement has been announced.
Shedding its health clinics marks a departure from the health care business for the university, but Ripich reiterated her commitment to a curriculum based on osteopathic medicine, something some in the osteopathic community questioned since the health clinics provide training opportunities for students in the osteopathic program. "We have had a commitment to [osteopathic medicine] for 30 years at the university and there is no wavering on that. This is just a different way to deliver clinical medical education to our osteopathic students."
Ripich set a target date of Nov. 2 to transition the operations of the health clinics to other organizations, but said the university would continue to operate any that do not make the transition by the target date. She said part of any agreement will include assurances that UNE students will be able to train at the clinics and that no layoffs will be made.
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