Galveston County Daily News, May 13, 2007 Editorial by Michael A. Smith GALVESTON-Will a change in leadership at the University of Texas Medical Branch ease the discontent simmering there? It's difficult to see how, unless Dr. John Stobo's management style were the core problem, which would be silly to believe. On July 1, Dr. David L. Callender will assume the title of president designate of the medical branch. He'll assume the full presidency in September when Stobo steps down after leading the institution for about 10 years. Callender has declined to speak publicly about specific changes he may make, but it's clear that one fundamental thing will not have changed by then - the reality in which the medical branch has operated for the past decade or so. Stobo's tenure was defined by struggles to manage the negative consequences of decisions made in Washington and Austin and of other forces beyond his direct control. It occurred at a time when voters were rewarding political candidates who advocated cuts both in taxes and spending on social programs. It occurred during a time when both the state and federal governments were retreating from their traditional responsibilities of funding health care for the poor, and were shoving that burden down onto local institutions and taxpayers.