University of Missouri shuffles health care system

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- The University of Missouri is combining its medical school and hospital network as part of a reorganization under new system President Gary Forsee.

Forsee and Columbia campus Chancellor Brady Deaton announced Monday that a new vice chancellor for health sciences will oversee a consolidated health sciences center. The schools of nursing and health professions and University Physicians also are part of the consolidation.

The announcement follows the departure of medical school Dean William Crist to the University of Arizona, where he will oversee that school's expanding health sciences program. Forsee says the reorganization had begun before Crist left.

A new oversight board reporting to Forsee will monitor the University of Missouri Health Care system. Its members will come from outside the university. The new vice chancellor, who has yet to be hired, reports to Deaton.