El Paso, TX (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 UMC CEO Jacob Cintron’s recent salary increase to nearly $1.5 million annually has sparked mixed reactions among El Paso taxpayers.<\/p>\n
The University Medical Center board approved raising Cintron’s salary to $1.1 million, with an additional bonus of $346,000. <\/p>\n
Cintron, who has led the El Paso County Hospital District since 2016, initially started with a salary of $480,000. <\/p>\n
Under his leadership, the district, which includes UMC\u2019s main hospital, clinics, and the El Paso Children\u2019s Hospital, manages over $1.9 billion in budgeted spending annually.<\/p>\n
Some residents, like Jose Garcia, support the pay raise, citing the competitive nature of the position. <\/p>\n
“It’s not an easy position to be in. There’s a lot of competition,” Garcia said. <\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
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.” <\/p>\n
She emphasized the need to remain competitive in attracting top-tier executive talent.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
While some residents support the investment in healthcare quality, others remain skeptical about the high compensation. <\/p>\n
The district has yet to provide further comments on the pay increase.<\/p>\n
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