The University Health Services (UHS) is nearing completion of an extensive renovation of its facilities and staff, UHS officials said yesterday.
Construction workers have renovated the 3 East Primary Care Wing and the Medical Records Department and has created the Center for Health Education.
The renovation comes at a time when some doctors have warned of major budget problems at UHS and questioned the the allocation of funds to this particular project. Officials refused yesterday to say how much the project cost.
Dr. David S. Rosenthal, UHS director, said the renovations will greatly improve patient care.
"The purpose of the renovations is to improve service to the University community by providing a pleasant environment and more services," Rosenthal said.
"In the past, things were all mixed up," he said, "[but] with the changes, things will be in the right place."
Members of the 3 East Planning Team, which organized the renovation, said they will be able to offer both faster and better treatment for the Harvard community.
According to Carie M. Ullman, program manager for planning and analysis, the changes will "offer Dr. Marie F. Haley, leader of the planningteam, said one of the primary features of therestructured wing will be separate waiting roomsfor patients. "In the renovated wing, space is designed tobetter facilitate care, and confidentiality willbe better safeguarded," Ullman said. But some at UHS are concerned about the amountof money that was spent on the project. Two topphysicians--Loring Contant, Jr. and Peter J.Zuromskis '66--left UHS this fall in part becauseof disagreements over how money was beingallocated. Zuromskis, instructor at Harvard Medical Schooland former director of Urgent Care Services atUHS, said in a telephone interview last night thatalthough certain physical renovations werenecessary, "you could find better things to dowith the money." "Walk-in clinics and urgent care are moreimportant services to a college student who wantsto rush to UHS in between classes," saidZuromskis. Zuromskis did not agree with Rosenthal'semphasis on the 3 East appointment system, inwhich each member of the Harvard health plan wouldconsult with a primary care physician rather thanuse walk-in services. "Dr. Rosenthal is more concerned withmaximizing productivity...but I feel urgent careis more effective in catering to the students,"Zuromskis said. Numerous doctors at UHS have said over the pastyear that UHS is facing a budgetary crisis.Rosenthal even admitted in a town meeting lastyear that UHS is suffering from monetary problems. Read more in News