Dressed in a white lab coat pulled neatly over a shirt and tie, a tall man with an affable smile peered through his glasses and discussed the accomplishments of the University's Health System.
"Our success is a tribute to the wonderful faculty and staff we have here - they made this happen," Robert W. Cantrell said.
Although his humble nature will not reveal it, several University administrators attribute much of the Health System's recent successes to Cantrell, the outgoing the vice president and provost of the Health System.
In February, Cantrell announced he will not seek reappointment. His term will end June 30, after which he will take a year-long sabbatical. Cantrell, 67, said he will "probably return as a University professor and work in health policy for a couple of years."
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Either way, University administrators said his influence will be apparent for many years to come.
Improving reputation
University President John T. Casteen III, to whom Cantrell reports to directly, said Cantrell has helped the University become nationally recognized.
"The Hospital has never been more highly rated and regarded," Casteen said. "The Health System is in sound financial condition in an era when most of its competitors are sliding into serious financial problems."
When Cantrell stepped into his position in 1996, the University had just begun its capital campaign, a fundraising initiative with an original target of $750 million. The Health System's original objective was $125 million, but things changed in November 1997.
"I saw we were going to exceed that goal," said Cantrell, "so I raised our goal to $160 million." The University followed suit in February 1998, raising their goal to $1 billion. The University's capital campaign ended with a total of $1.4 billion in gifts and contributions, with the Health System raking in $224.5 million of the total.
University Hospital also has received much external recognition under Cantrell. HCIA/Solucient has ranked the hospital as one of the top 100 Hospitals for the past three years. The Hospital had seven specialties and divisions ranked in U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Hospitals" in 1997 - that number rose to 11 by 2000.
Other aspects of the Health System also fared well during Cantrell's term. The School of Nursing and the School of Medicine now are ranked No. 20 and No. 26, respectively.
Under Cantrell's watch, the University has added 900,000 square feet of space to the Medical Center. This includes on-Grounds facilities and clinics in Forest Lake, Fontaine Avenue and Northridge, which includes a 50-bed rehabilitation hospital. Research funding at the University has increased by about 48 percent since 1996. In particular, the School of Medicine has received $121 million for research grants.
Although his fundraising abilities have impacted the University profoundly, Cantrell said he is most proud of the "Ideal Patient Encounter," a series of 20 proposals for improving patient care. The proposals, some of which already have been implemented by the University, include creating more off-Grounds health facilities and improving parking around medical facilities.
This program explores "how we can best deliver care, make it more convenient and more compassionate," Cantrell said. "It is important because it encourages receptionists that smile at you and physicians and nurses who are kind and understanding - and respond with kindness and compassion."
Cantrell the physician
Although Cantrell's position mainly is administrative, some say his background as a physician has been a valuable asset during his term as vice president.
"He has a clear understanding and appreciation for how physicians and nurses work together for the good of the patient," School of Nursing Dean B. Jeanette Lancaster said. "He has been very supportive about providing resources when we saw the need."
Others said Cantrell's extensive knowledge of the medical treatment process has helped unify various schools of the University. While working with School of Medicine Dean Robert Carey, he "has built greater cohesion within the University," Casteen said. "Research collaborations are now commonplace. Previously, they were rare."
But Cantrell said this type of cooperation can also extend to other schools at the University. "We have so much talent in this institution, in the Darden School, the School of Law and others," he said. "If we could pool those resources, we could come up with some meaningful approaches to health care delivery. It's in places like this that ideas are developed that can then be translated into action."
Cantrell began his work at the University as chairman of the otalaryngology department, which deals with head and neck surgery. After serving in this position for 20 years, Cantrell became the director of ambulatory care. In 1994 he was appointed to serve as interim vice president and provost of the Health System while the then-vice president Don Detmer went on a sabbatical during 1995.
In November 1995, the Board of Visitors approved Casteen's recommendation to appoint Cantrell permanently to the position.
When Cantrell took his position in 1993, the Health Sciences Center employed 8,000 faculty and staff. Since then, the number of employees has expanded to over 10,000.
Still, administrators said Cantrell embraced the daunting task with enthusiasm and vigor.
"He has added a great deal of stability to the medical center operations," said Board member Charles M. Caravati Jr. "He was looked up to by just about the entire staff. I think it helped promote good morale" for everyone.
Although Cantrell has received much credit the Health System's improvements, he said his motivation lies elsewhere.
"Most people think health care is diagnosis and treatment, and certainly it encompasses that," he added, "but it really means caring."
Cantrell said the purpose of the Health System is "to provide wonderful, compassionate clinical care. The purpose of our research is to find new and better ways to deliver that care. The purpose of our teaching programs is to take our research findings and teach the young men and women going into the health professions how to better deliver that care."
Cantrell said he has liked working with Casteen and the Board.
"I've enjoyed the friendships I've made with many of the Visitors, and it has been a distinct pleasure," Cantrell. "This institution is fortunate to have such people. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such fine leaders."
He also said he looks forward to exploring other hobbies such as traveling, photography and fly-fishing.
But Cantrell will not step down from his position quite yet. He has promised to resume his position until a successor is named.
The University combined Cantrell's position with the dean of the School of Medicine. The new position is the dean of the School of Medicine/vice president and chief medical officer. This position will oversee all 10 of the University's schools and report directly to the Casteen.
Board members recognize his impact on the community. "He has brought so much vision to his position," said Board member William G. Crutchfield Jr. "He is truly a person of tremendous personal integrity and kindness"
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