UCSF-STANFORD: UCSF Chancellor Sets the Record Straight

      In a letter to the San Francisco Chronicle, University of California-San Francisco Chancellor Michael Bishop claims an Oct. 30 article about the UCSF-Stanford merger failure "misreprented" his views. The article contended that Bishop "was never sold" on the merger, but Bishop asserts that he had previously made supportive statements about the merger, even after financial troubles were uncovered. On May 20, speaking to the UC regents, he said, "I brought a fresh eye to (the merger). I quickly became convinced that it was well conceived; it must be given a fair chance to succeed." On July 14, Bishop said, "Stanford has proven to be a strong partner; I would rather face the uncertainties of the future with such a partner than without it." Bishop also takes "strong issue" that the merger was characterized as a "scandal," which he considers "an unduly pejorative term for an effort made in good faith to preserve the vitality of two outstanding academic health centers." Finally, he clarified the administrative procedures on UC campuses, noting that it was not a "departure from standard practice" to delegate authority to Dean and Vice Chancellor Haile Debas; chancellors -- who are scientists rather than physicians -- delegate responsibility of health centers to deans, vice chancellors and hospital directors "with the appropriate expertise" (11/10).