Baylor College of Medicine lays off 122 employees amidst uncertainties about federal funding

HOUSTON – Baylor College of Medicine announced 122 employees have been laid off Wednesday.

The College cited the uncertainty regarding federal funding for academic medical institutions as the reason for the layoffs. The College says the cuts were at all levels and included staff positions in administration, research, clinical and education.

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“Leaders have been developing strategies to minimize the impact and protect our core mission areas,” President Dr. Paul Klotman said in a message to the College. “Proposed changes in NIH funding will have a significant effect on our research enterprise, but education and patient care also will be impacted from changes expected from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education.”

The College had already implemented a hiring freeze for all College-funded faculty and staff positions and cuts to all discretionary budgets. Some programs and activities will be eliminated.

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“Employees are always the last thing we consider in making budget cuts. It is the hardest decision to make…. We are a strong institution and, most important, a resilient one," Klotman said.