Creighton University - Bluejay Yearbook (Omaha, NE)

Page 18 text:

Three years earlier, the Rev. Michael Mor- rison, S.J., assumed the presidential office at Creighton. During his term Morrison has repeatedly called for the university to embark upon a quest for excellence by striving for progress, quality education and high stan- dards. The quest for excellence became both a challenge and a verbal commitment for pro- gress throughout the Creighton community. Morrison renewed the quest in the fall of 1984 with visions of opportunities to grow and progress in the decade ahead. It was a year of new enterprises. It saw cam- pus growth and expansion, the establishment of new records and trends, and undertakings that questioned the university ' s commitment to the Catholic tradition. One of the most perpetuating and controver- sial undertakings that will play a primary role in the future of Creighton ' s health science pro- fessional schools was the $100 million sale of St. Joseph Hospital to American Medical In- ternational Inc. The consequences of selling St. Joseph to AMI, a profit-making corpora- tion with more than 100 hospitals in the United States, and the significance it will have on its relationship with Creighton were yet to be revealed. However, the decision did not go un- contested. It prompted many to question and re-evaluate the traditional Catholic mission of St. Joseph. The issue produced debate from many levels on campus. Questions were raised concerning the future of St. Joseph ' s care for the indigent, its commitment to run in the Catholic tradition, its adamant no-abortion stands and its relationship with Creighton as a teaching hospital for the health professional schools. AMI agreed to comply with all of these past policies and declared it would remain strongly committed to the historic mission and tradition of St. Joseph and its relationships with its primary constituencies. And if all com- mitments by AMI were not fulfilled, the university or the Creighton Omaha Regional Health Care Corp. could repurchase the hospital. Hospital and university officials regarded the merger as a chance to grow. Its benefits promised progress, expansion, greater resources and new technology. Not only would St. Joseph ' s $62 million debt be paid but the agreement promised a host of programs for future research and development at the hospital and for the health sciences schools. Other plans included new equipment, improved parking and land ac- quisition for the hospital. The sale of St. Joseph Hospital became one of the year ' s most important undertakings by Creighton. It was up to the future to reveal its true significance and the role it will play in Creighton ' s quest for excellence. mi- ' •»- - ' . •-o 14

Page 17 text:

American Spectacles

Page 19 text:

Creigkton