UMC advisory board disbanded

County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously voted to disband the University Medical Center Hospital Advisory Board, which oversees hospital functions and makes recommendations to the commission.

The board was created two years ago to help commissioners, who aren't medical experts, manage the hospital's day-to-day operations. But commissioners said Tuesday the board's services were no longer needed.

Commissioners on Wednesday could vote to ask the state Legislature for permission to create a full-time board for the hospital, which would replace the advisory board anyway.

But commissioners had concerns over conflicts between advisory board members and the hospital.

"I do think there's a problem with conflicts on the board," Commissioner Steve Sisolak said. "There's definitely an issue there and I don't know how we address it without starting over again."

Advisory board members gave different opinions about disbanding it. Dr. Nick Spirtos said hospital administrators require oversight, but Dr. Anthony Marlon said the board just got in the way of UMC CEO Brian Brannman.

Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower@reviewjournal.com or 702-405-9781.