/ Modified aug 20, 2016 3:38 p.m.

What Led to UA Medical School Scrutiny?

Controversy surrounding University of Arizona Health Sciences didn't start this month.

The University of Arizona Medical School in Phoenix has been the subject of two meetings in the past month, and the UA president has called for an independent investigation into its finances and public-record keeping.

But the story started in June, when the Arizona Medical Association took a vote of "no confidence" in the executive leadership of the medical school in Phoenix. That led the Arizona Board of Regents to hold two health subcommittee meetings to check in on the school.

The first of those meetings was Aug. 5, and apparently led to more allegations, according to Board of Regents President Eileen Klein.

She said in the regents' second meeting, Aug. 12, that questions had lingered for months about the use of public funds and accuracy in college documents, which are public records.

UA President Ann Weaver Hart and Senior Vice President for Health Sciences Joe G. N. "Skip" Garcia each said this week they had not previously heard of those allegations and knew nothing about what those allegations specifically referenced. Hart requested that an independent, third-party law firm investigate the claims.

On this episode of Metro Week we explore what led to this point, and what's next, with AZPM's Vanessa Barchfield and Stephanie Innes of the Arizona Daily Star.

Also in this episode:

Trade with Mexico is on the rise for both imports and exports. Border crossings are also increasing at the ports of entry, according to an economic analysis. AZPM's Zac Ziegler explains the numbers, and their cause and effect.

The Economics of Olympics are not as fruitful for the athletes who medal as you might think. Most of the 555 members of the U.S. Olympic team will not get sponsorship deals, and the city of Rio de Janeiro will not likely see long-term economic benefits from hosting. AZPM's Tony Perkins explains his reporting on the topic, and an update on which Tucson athletes to watch in the events this final weekend of the games.

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