El Paso, TX (KFOX14/CBS4) — UMC CEO Jacob Cintron’s recent salary increase to nearly $1.5 million annually has sparked mixed reactions among El Paso taxpayers.
The University Medical Center board approved raising Cintron’s salary to $1.1 million, with an additional bonus of $346,000.
Cintron, who has led the El Paso County Hospital District since 2016, initially started with a salary of $480,000.
Under his leadership, the district, which includes UMC’s main hospital, clinics, and the El Paso Children’s Hospital, manages over $1.9 billion in budgeted spending annually.
Some residents, like Jose Garcia, support the pay raise, citing the competitive nature of the position.
“It’s not an easy position to be in. There’s a lot of competition,” Garcia said.
Others, however, view the salary as excessive. One taxpayer expressed concern, saying, “I personally think it’s an excess of a salary… especially for somebody that lives or works here in El Paso.”
Board Chair Dr. Kristina Mena defended the decision, stating, “Under his leadership, our system has expanded services, delivered record financial performance, and improved access to high-quality care for families across El Paso County.”
She emphasized the need to remain competitive in attracting top-tier executive talent.
The board previously credited Cintron’s leadership for a successful multimillion-dollar UMC bond approved by voters in 2024, aimed at expanding healthcare services and upgrading facilities.
While some residents support the investment in healthcare quality, others remain skeptical about the high compensation.
The district has yet to provide further comments on the pay increase.
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