To: All University of Iowa employees

From: Barbara J. Wilson, president; and Denise J. Jamieson, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine

In August, we wrote to you to share our commitment to assist Mercy Iowa City as it entered bankruptcy. Today, we learned the university’s offer to potentially transition Mercy Iowa City to become part of University of Iowa Health Care was not selected as the preferred bid.

We are disappointed in this outcome because we believe there is value in having patient care delivered by an Iowa-based health system. Nevertheless, we are heartened that the selected bidder, the bond holder, has committed to keeping Mercy Iowa City as a hospital.

As a university, we participated in the bankruptcy auction because it is important to protect and enhance access to quality health care and jobs in our community. We are hopeful that this will be realized with Mercy Iowa City’s proposed new ownership structure, which will go to a bankruptcy court judge for approval.

As the bankruptcy process concludes, please know that our longstanding commitment to investing in Iowa and the health of its citizens will not waver.

Sincerely,

Barb and Denise