One hundredfive years of editorialfreedom 'U' Medical Center ranked *15th best in nation * Survey ranking is one higher than last year By Katie Wang Daily s Edto A survey conducted by U.S. News nd World Report ranks the University Medical Center as the 15th-best teach- ing hospital in the nation out of one hundred and twenty-six hospitals sur- seyed. Last year, the Medical Center was ranked 16th. Dr. Max Wicha, director of the University's Comprehensive Cancer Center, said he was pleased with the rating. "In general, most of the people who oted for these are on the East Coast" Wicha said. "The fact that we rank in the top 15 is a real tribute." The Medical Center's cancer center was rated as the 15th-best in the nation, a large boost from last year's ranking of 40. This boost reflects a decision made by the center to emphasize cancer (treatment and research)," Wicha said. "We have brought in talented people to *build up on our clinical program.' The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md., received top honors. ranking no.1, followed by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Massachusetts General Hospital, UCLA Medical Center and Duke University Medical Center rounded out the top five. The University Medical Center was he only hospital in the state recognized for its overall excellence or for any medical specialties. The ratings are based on the reputa- tion among board-certified physicians, rating on specialties, the ratio of regis- tered nurses to beds and the amount of high-tech equipment. The University received special recognition for its geriatrics, urology and neurology specialties. The Medical Center has maintained its standard of high quality, despite undergoing a series of transitions, including large budget cuts and drastic reductions in its work force. In May, about 200 Medical Center employees lost their jobs. Margo Schneidman, Medical Center spokesperson, said she does not think See HOSPITAL, Page 8 Ie £tidiin &dlg Wednesday August 7, 1996 'U' seeking doctors for By Jennifer Harvey Di~uj \1Iana in; 's Ed[itor At least two national leaders in acad- emic medicine are being considered by the University for the presidential post vacated by James Duderstadt on June 30. Two medical doctors, E. James Potchen and M. David Low, have been approached by the University regarding the presidency, The Michigan Daily dis- covered in an independent poll. Pochen is the chair of radiology at Michigan State University. Low is the president of the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas. "People have discussed (the University presidency) with me," Potchen said in an interview with The Michigan Daily. "I've had discussions with people party to the process." Law School Dean Jeffrey Lehman, who chairs the presi- dential search advisory commit- tee (PSAC). said he would neithe confirm nor deny Lehman the validity of any reports or specula- tion about presidential candidates. Potchen said he had been asked by several individuals to submit his cur- riculum vitae to PSAC. "I understand my c.v. has gone forward to the search committee," Potchen said. Potchen obtained a bachelors of sci- ence degree from Michigan State See SEARCH, Page 2 JONATHAN LURIE/Daily Tearing down the house Construction workers began demolishing the former Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house on South State Street on Aug. 1. The space is being cleared by the University to make a 60-space faculty and staff parking lot. u rises expecte at Republican7Convention Primary elections set November ballots By Katie Wang Dail News Editor N D Many surpris- OLD es are expected at PARTY next week's N a t i o n a l Convention in San Diego, Calif., including C an answer to the - mystery surrounding presidential hope- ful Bob Dole's choice for a running mate. Dole has indicated he will announce his choice this Saturday. The convention, which lasts Aug. 12 15, will officially 5 mark the beginning of the presidential campaign season. The Democrats will stage their convention in Chicago, Ill., later this month. For several - months now, Dole Engler has trailed President Clinton in media-conducted polls by as many as 20 points. The latest USA See CONVENTION, Page 8 By Laurie Mayk Daily Editor in Chief State and national house candidates from Ann Arbor didn't have much to worry about as they waited for primary election results to roll in last night. Democratic and republican candidates for state and U.S. representative had no challengers in their primary elections. Instead, they could relax in the warmth of the primary and prepare for the heat of November's election. "We won! We like to think we won," said Rep. Lynn Rivers (D-Ann Arbor). Rivers will be facing Ann Arbor businessman and former CEO and president of University Microfilms Joe Fitzsimmons in the final election. Candidates in the republican U.S. Senate primary, however, were biting a few more nails. Grosse Pointe business- man Jim Nicholson and former talk show host and veteran candidate Ronna Romney ran neck-and-neck in the polls for hours last night, with raw vote totals sometimes reported as close as three votes apart. By midnight though Nicholson conceded to Romney, who will square off with Sen. Carl Levin (D- Mi.). While first-time candidates, like Fitzsimmons, appeal to voters for fresh ideas and changes, incumbents say they understand the needs and special char- acteristics of their constituency. "The thirteenth district is always interested in the people who run as indi- viduals," Rivers said. Ann Arbor voters pay special attention to the ethics and personalities of .the candidates, she said. Risers also said voters in her dis- trict are "notorious ticket splitters, such as in the 1994 gubernatorial elec- See PRIMARIES, Page 2 IN THIS WEEK'S IThis week's Focus: Drug czar seeks 'U' input. 9 ARTS 'Kansas City' extravaganza disappoints. S1PORTS Former 'M' swimmer Dolan to appear on Wheaties box.