President Owen’s Reflections on the End of
the Deferred Prosecution Agreement

William F. Owen, Jr., MD
President, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

After two years, UMDNJ will begin 2008 without the oversight of a Federal Monitor and U.S. Attorney. Moreover, we plan to start the year without a criminal complaint lodged against us. By ending the Deferred Prosecution Agreement, a public acknowledgement is made that UMDNJ has earned the right to govern and monitor itself. This is an attestation that for most of UMDNJ, integrity, ethical behavior, and deep respect are core qualities that define us. And for this, we should all be proud.

Gratitude is due our reconstituted Board of Trustees, U.S. Attorney Christie and Judge Stern for their guidance and commitment to establishing processes in UMDNJ that encourage high levels of decency. However, a mature organization is one that is self-aware. In this spirit, we must acknowledge that we’ve major tasks still to be completed.

Obviously, as the U.S. Attorney correctly points out in his letter to us, “significant work still needs to be done at UMDNJ.” We’ve the work of completing the ongoing investigations of misbehavior, which will be conducted thoroughly and fairly. Also, we’ve the continuing tasks to develop more robust corrective and preventive action plans, to identify and better manage those few individuals who still may seek to put their own self-interests ahead of our institution’s interests. We’ve the work of earning and/or rebuilding trust in UMDNJ with our stakeholders inside and outside our organization. And last, and perhaps most important, is that we’ve the ongoing work of establishing a standard set of shared values within UMDNJ. We must make integrity routinely compel our decisions and actions, rather than being prompted by “compliance.” Integrity comes from the heart and must be a core competency for all UMDNJ team members.

Therefore, to the vast majority of our team members within the organization – who have patiently been tolerant and routinely high performing – I say I am honored to work alongside you. Today, the senior management team and I commit to the improved work environment that you deserve. And to the citizens of New Jersey, UMDNJ commits to those values that will again make you proud. We will act within the law, not waste money, and do so because it is the right thing. We will execute our missions and accelerate our success with integrity.

Sincerely,

William F. Owen, Jr., M.D.
President