CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) - University of Miami President Donna Shalala has but medical school staff on notice that "significant" cutbacks are coming.

Shalala announced the cuts in a letter to employees on Tuesday.

She says the reductions are necessary because of a number of "unprecedented factor" that include the economic downturn of 2008, decreased funding for research and clinical care and cuts in the Jackson Health System. She says the Jackson Health reductions have affected the school's finances.

The Miami Herald (http://bit.ly/I4JSlg ) reports Jackson Health, which has lost $419 million the past three years, cut its payments to the university by $16 million this year.

Shalala says the cuts will come in May. She did not provide details about how many employees may be laid off.

Information from: The Miami Herald, http://www.herald.com

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

See original here:

UM medical school to make cutbacks in May