Contracts for A. Lorris Betz and Vivian Lee by The Salt Lake Tribune on Scribd
The interim leader of the University of Utah's health sciences department and health care system will earn $67,000 for each month he remains in the position, U. documents show.
That salary, which translates to more than $800,000 over a year, represents roughly three-fourths the pay of Vivian Lee, who resigned last month after six years as senior vice president for health sciences, dean of the U. School of Medicine and CEO of University of Utah Health Care.
A. Lorris Betz's position as interim CEO also includes a housing allowance of $4,167 per month, a car allowance of $373 per month and travel expenses "as needed" between Betz's homes in Michigan and Utah, according to a copy of his job offer obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune through an open-records request.
"Your term of appointment will be indefinite," the May 1 offer states, "but you serve at the pleasure of the President."
"I am extremely pleased that you are willing to come out of retirement," U. President David Pershing told Betz, "and help the University during this exceptionally difficult time."
Betz's offer differs from the contract extended to Lee in 2011, who at the time made $710,000 per year — or $59,000 per month — and included the position of tenured professor in the department of radiology and adjunct professor in the department of bioengineering.
Lee was provided with university housing in the Rosenblatt House, according to her job offer, as well as U.-provided legal counsel for "all activities related to this position, including malpractice insurance."
Her salary was subsequently increased to more than $1 million annually, which she will retain for one year after her resignation "in order to assist in the transition," her contract states.
"Vivian, we are extremely pleased that you will become the University's next SVPHS and we are confident that you will be an extraordinary leader," Lee's job offer letter says. "We know that the Health Sciences Center and University of Utah Health Care will have an extraordinary future under your leadership."
Lee's resignation came during a period of upheaval for the U. in April, triggered by the abrupt firing of Huntsman Cancer Institute Director Mary Beckerle.
Faculty members and the Huntsman family criticized Beckerle's removal, generating public debate that called into question the relationship and power dynamics between U. administrators and the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, which has supported cancer research and treatment efforts at the U. through hundreds of millions of dollars in philanthropic donations.
Beckerle ultimately was reinstated, followed by Lee's resignation and Pershing announcing his pending retirement.
U. Health Care spokeswoman Kathy Wilets said Betz — who preceded Lee as health care CEO — had pre-existing commitments that preclude him from working full time. His three-quarter salary, Wilets said, reflects his interim status and diminished work hours.
She said Lee continues to occupy the Rosenblatt House.
"She's given that period of time to relocate," Wilets said. "Per that contract, she has six months."
bwood@sltrib.com
Twitter: @bjaminwood
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune University of Utah President David Pershing announces A. Lorris Betz as the interim U. Health Care CEO during a meeting at the Spencer F. and Cleone P. Eccles Health and Sciences Building on Monday, May 1, 2017. Pershing also addressed plans for finding a replacement for former Health Care CEO, Vivian Lee. President Pershing announced he will be stepping down from his post, and that the search for his replacement will run in "parallel" with the hiring process for a new Health Sciences vice president to replace Vivian Lee, who resigned Friday amid controversy.
