AMC Approves Drop of Non-Compete Clause from Banner Tucson Provider Contracts

Panorama of construction across UA Health Sciences campus in Tucson

Banner Health dropped the non-compete clause for physicians working for Banner – University Medical Group (BUMG) in Tucson, which had been negatively affecting physician recruitment and retention for both the leading non-profit community health care company and University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson.

Dr. Leigh Neumayer and Kathy BollingerThe announcement came in a June 7 email sent to all University of Arizona and BUMG physicians from Leigh Neumayer, MD, interim senior vice president, UA Health Sciences, and Kathy Bollinger, president, University Medicine Division, Banner Health.

Both also are co-chairs of the Academic Management Council (AMC)—an oversight organization made up of UA Health Sciences and Banner management that governs how the Banner academic division is operated. The AMC was created as part of the academic affiliation agreement between the UA and Banner following Banner’s merger with University of Arizona Health Network in 2015.

The non-compete clause would have restricted where a physician could practice if they left BUMG employment based on proximity to the Banner facility for 12 months following their last day of work.

In their email, Dr. Neumayer and Bollinger acknowledge, “You shared with us that the non-compete language is an impediment to hiring and retaining the best faculty talent. Because of your thoughtful input, the AMC voted to remove the non-compete clause in the Tucson-based, Banner provider contracts.”

Amended contracts reflecting the change were to be sent out for provider signatures and new contracts no longer contain the non-compete language. Due to differences in the Phoenix market and the presence there of Banner Medical Group, the non-compete clause will remain in effect for Phoenix-based, BUMG-employed providers.

“We hope this change will further the trust we hope to build with you and we look forward to other opportunities to demonstrate our commitment to this important partnership between the University of Arizona and Banner Health,” Neumayer and Bollinger added.

Dr. Monica KraftUA Department of Medicine Chair Monica Kraft, MD, sent out an internal email on May 30 acknowledging the pending announcement.

In that email, Dr. Kraft said, “I am writing with great news – Banner is dropping all non-compete clauses for Tucson physicians. I think this signals that we are making significant progress with our partnership and our priorities. Thank you for your patience and hard work!”

She said she was encouraged that expiration of the clause would only enhance the department and the UA Health Sciences colleges’ ability to attract top medical talent at a time when so many positive things are occurring across the UAHS campus and Banner facilities both in Tucson and Phoenix.

Banner - UMC TucsonBanner - UMC North CampusThis includes rapid progress of construction on UAHS’s Bioscience Research Laboratory (BSRL) and Health Sciences Innovation Building (HSIB) adjacent to the UA BIO5 Institute. It also includes a new nine-story hospital tower next to Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and a three-story, 200,000-plus square feet outpatient ambulatory care facility adjacent to the UA Cancer Center’s Peter and Paula Fasseas Cancer Clinic at Banner – UMC North Campus.

Photo gallery image of UAHS/Banner Health construction in TucsonAll told, that work involves capital investments of more than $750 million in improved research and clinical capacity. For the latest construction updates and webcams, see UAHS Campus and North Campus. Expect clinic and staffing moves to start by year end as construction nears completion. For a photo gallery of current work across all construction projects, click here [PDF] or on the image at left.

Dr. Neumayer and Bollinger added, “We want you, our valued members of the faculty, to be here because Banner – University Medicine is the most desirable place to practice medicine, to engage in research and to positively impact future generations of physicians. We want you to feel inspired to be here.”

Come grow with us!

ALSO SEE:
“Banner Health Bestows ‘Best of the Best’ Awards to Banner – UMC South, Alvernon Clinic” | Posted May 25, 2017
"Banner – UMC Celebrates 2017 National Hospital Week with Picnic Lunch" | Posted May 13, 2017
“Dr. Potharaju Picked for Banner Health Leadership ‘Class of 2019’” | Posted April 4, 2017
“Banner Health announces new urgent care sites in East Valley, West Valley and Tucson” | Posted March 8, 2017
“Banner Health Acquiring Tucson Home Health Agency” | Posted Jan. 12, 2017

Release Date: 
06/20/2017 - 4:30pm