March 5, 2025

 

Dear colleagues:

 

As you saw in today’s email from President Fenves, we have been collaborating university-wide around recent federal directives and legislative proposals, many of which have major financial impacts. I appreciate the discussions we have had with School of Medicine leaders and many of you to determine the best path forward, including mitigation strategies in the face of looming financial challenges. We will work to provide more detailed guidance to department and school leaders in the coming days and weeks about how we will implement these changes in the School of Medicine.

 

In addition, we are focused on meeting the School of Medicine’s FY25 budget targets to help ensure we are in a strong financial position to navigate current and future challenges. SOM revenues are below budget by $12M for the first 5 months of FY25, and we have enlisted the partnership of department and administrative unit leaders to ensure we review and prioritize spending on activities that are externally funded and critical to our mission. Please continue your research and spend according to your grant budgets.

 

The strategies for FY25, FY26, and beyond are in alignment with the measures President Fenves has outlined, including the hiring freeze for staff positions, limitations on faculty hiring, and significant reductions in operating expenses. We are working on guidance and procedures for limited exception requests. Your department and unit leaders will share specific details when they are available.

 

We recognize that these financial mitigation measures may require difficult prioritization decisions for all of us. Please know that we appreciate your flexibility and your ongoing commitment to our shared mission. At times like this, know that it is our individual and collective work that will allow us to continue to achieve our goals, now and in the long term. Thank you for all you do for our students, our patients, our community and each other.  

 

Sandra

 

Sandra L. Wong, MD, MS
Dean, Emory School of Medicine
Chief Academic Officer, Emory Healthcare