University of Kansas Hospital's independent path has led to success

Ten years ago, the Kansas Legislature split the University of Kansas Hospital off from the medical school and other academic departments at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Under the governance of an independent board and free of bureaucratic paperwork and regulations, everything began to change at KU Hospital. Since becoming independent, KU Hospital has filled empty beds and added more, opened state-of-the art cancer and cardiac centers, almost completely updated its hospital building, turned around patient-satisfaction ratings, boosted employee morale, improved its financial situation and been recognized among the country's best hospitals.