SEATTLE (AP) - The interim dean of the University of Washington’s school of dentistry has abruptly resigned amid a multimillion budget deficit and criticism over the loss of specialty services after the school laid off nearly two dozen people earlier this month.
The Seattle Times reports James Johnson stepped down Monday and will assume his former position as UW’s endodontics department chair.
Johnson’s decision follows the resignation of Joel Berg, the school’s former dean, who stepped down from the post in October and whom some blame for the school’s $42 million financial hole.
Johnson said he had done as much as he could to help resolve the school’s financial challenges.
Administrators say it the financial problems are largely due to low reimbursement rates for Medicaid patients. Faculty members have said the school is poorly managed and fault the university for not being more transparent about its budget.
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Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com
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