By Janelle Henderson
Pikeville Medical Development Corporation and the University of Louisville are currently in discussions about possibly building a medical research center in Pikeville to help strengthen the Eastern Kentucky city’s economy. However, the process may be interrupted if U of L and the University of Kentucky go to battle over which school has the right to stake its claim on Eastern Kentucky soil.
In late April, The Courier-Journal reported that UK spokesman Jay Blanton stated via e-mail that U of L should stay out of Eastern Kentucky.
“U of L is guilty of an increasing pattern and tendency among some institutions in this state to commit what’s called mission creep – that is to say, they [are] clearly stepping well beyond their mission,” Blanton stated in an e-mail sent to the KET show “Comment on Kentucky.”
In 1997, the General Assembly named UK the state’s flagship university and challenged it to become one of the nation’s top 20 research universities. Blanton felt that the partnership between PMDC and U of L would interfere with the challenge.
“As a commonwealth, we don’t need – and we clearly can’t afford – two flagship state institutions,” Blanton stated.
When asked about the statements reported in The Courier-Journal, Blanton declined to comment, but said, “The relationship between the two institutions is very cooperative and collaborative, and the two presidents meet and talk often and are working together on a number of issues.”
U of L President James Ramsey said The Courier-Journal may not be a “good source” to determine UK’s opposition. He believes U of L has a chance to impact the Eastern Kentucky region.
“[The] Postsecondary Education Improvement Act of 1997 in Kentucky was about improving economic opportunity and the quality of life of the people of the state. I don’t think that an institution that has something to offer to the people of Kentucky should be restricted geographically to a county or a community,” he said. “If we can help the people of Pikeville deal with issues that they face, including cancer, drug abuse, etcetera, I feel we have an obligation to do all that we can to assist them.”
Nathan Haney, Student Government Association executive vice president and Eastern Kentucky resident, said the region is crucial to the progression of Kentucky.
“We have great people in Eastern Kentucky, and we have many people who are willing and ready to invest and help out. All we need is a major player to take on some of the things that make a difference,” he said.
Originally, some thought that the Council on Postsecondary Education may have to settle the debate, but it now appears that the two universities are working well together.
John Drees, U of L’s director of Communication and Marketing, said that Ramsey and UK President Lee Todd have met and discussed the issue and that the two universities have a better relationship than they have had in years. Since the meeting, Ramsey has not backed down on his intentions to work with Pikeville.
With the help of the Louisville Medical Center Development Corporation, a partnership between U of L, Norton Healthcare, Jewish HealthCare and the Mayor’s office, PMDC will hopefully build a world-class cancer center specializing in lung cancer with the hope of gaining status as the first comprehensive cancer center in Kentucky, Ramsey said.
PMDC is a subsidiary of Pikeville Medical Center, a hospital that’s been open for 80 years and which currently has more than 1,300 employees.
PMDC Chief Executive Officer Jerry Johnson said that he simply wants to work with anyone who can offer help, and he saw Jewish Hospital and U of L as models for what he wants to develop in Pikeville.
“We just want to create a better, healthier environment for people in the Pikeville area,” Johnson said.
