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Plan Has Byrd Alzheimer Center Affiliated With USF

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By ADAM EMERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 20, 2008

TAMPA — The struggle over the independence of the Byrd Alzheimer's center eased today when the institute's board agreed to an affiliation with the University of South Florida.

Directors of the Johnnie B. Byrd Sr. Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute approved a plan to form a separate, seven-member board that would control the purse strings of the center and would include four USF representatives. The plan also would install USF health sciences Vice President Steve Klasko as the center's chief executive officer.

The proposal, which is set to be finalized in August, was brought to the center's Board of Directors today by former House Speaker Johnnie B. Byrd Jr., who just last spring fought against a legislative attempt to place control of the institute with USF.

How is this different? Byrd said the Legislature considered a proposal that would dissolve the Alzheimer's center and put its money into USF's hands. The new agreement keeps the center intact.

"I don't want to be the tail that tries to wag the dog anymore," Byrd said. "I think we have to acknowledge that we're at USF. If we enter into an affiliation, we will be moving forward together."

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285 or aemerson@tampatrib.com.

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