UCSF-STANFORD: Joint Pediatric Operations End

      Negotiations between UCSF and Stanford to continue joint operation of child health services have failed, dashing officials' hopes that their two pediatric departments had melded successfully enough to survive the UCSF-Stanford divorce. Negotiations broke down over cultural differences and "complex issues of governance and operations," said Dr. Larry Shapiro, chairman of UCSF's pediatric department. The San Francisco Chronicle notes that the failure may jeopardize an estimated $500 million grant for children's health care given to UCSF-Stanford by two Packard family foundations. UC regents were also told yesterday that the dissolution of the merger will not be complete until April 1 -- one month longer than expected -- and that it will probably be three years before UCSF becomes profitable (Schevitz, 1/20).