Organizational Paper

The Organizational Structure of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Reenamol Mathai
Dr. Johnie Tarver
December 3, 2010
Leadership and Management Practicum
Fall 2010

The Organizational Structure of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Description of Organization
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson is an academic institution; a hospital specialized in cancer treatment, and a research center located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston.   The institution consists of over 30 buildings that are clinics, and outpatient radiation centers. This non-profit institution provides service for over 60,000 patients in one year.   The M.D. Anderson Radiation Treatment Center in Istanbul at American Hospital is the first international location. The cancer center is named after Monroe Dunaway Anderson who was a cotton trader from Jackson, Tennessee.   Wikipedia.org has cited that Mr. Anderson started the MD Anderson Foundation in order to avoid paying estate taxes upon the death of his business partner.   According to mdanderson.org, “the mission of The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public.”  
Organizational Structure
The Purple 10 floor at the M.D. Anderson main building is a specialty unit that focuses on Melanoma and Sarcoma patients and their treatment.   This unit is a bureaucratic functional structure, because it is arranged by its specialty.   A functional structure has departments that provide similar functions with a common manager or executive.   The advantage is that functional structures tend to support professional expertise and encourages advancement.   The disadvantage is that there may be a discontinuity of care and delays in decision making.   Issues that require communication across functional groups...