MPact Health Care Innovation vision kicks off at University of Minnesota
Today, the University of Minnesota and its nation-leading Medical School announced the MPact Health Care Innovation vision. Anchored by the University’s mission of education, research and public service, this vision will significantly advance the University’s leadership and partnerships to strengthen Minnesota’s health care and health professions, and make Minnesota a leader in the health of all Minnesotans for generations to come.
The vision aligns with the University’s systemwide strategic plan, MPact 2025, which outlines the institution’s commitment to develop and embrace new and leading health care delivery models and cutting-edge discoveries and technologies based on health science research.
“We know health care is changing rapidly along with the needs and expectations of patients at home and around the globe,” said U of M President Joan Gabel. “With great inspiration from Minnesota and with insights from University researchers, faculty, physicians and health care professionals, the MPact Health Care Innovation vision is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to channel our unique ability to elevate our state, improve the lives of all Minnesotans and position Minnesota as a global leader for the next century.”
The vision is rooted in the University’s autonomy in controlling the existing health care facilities on its Twin Cities campus — the University Medical Center East and West Bank facilities, the Masonic Children’s Hospital and the Clinics and Surgery Center — and the eventual development of a new state-of-the-art medical center on the east bank of the Twin Cities campus.
“We have a great research university, a great medical school and a great education program. It just makes sense that we have great hospital facilities in which we can combine all three in the same place,” said Jakub Tolar, dean of the U of M Medical School and vice president for clinical affairs. “Seven of the top 10 hospitals in the U.S. are directly associated with a medical school because that’s how you improve care quickly. You streamline the process of bringing groundbreaking therapies to patients. You improve the practice of medicine by changing it in real time. We want these benefits for Minnesota and to serve Minnesotans in ways that only a hospital associated with a leading research university can.”
The University aims to leverage the strengths of the University and the State of Minnesota to advance this vision. University leaders are calling for short- and long-term partnership from elected leaders, first by helping the University fund the shifting of health facilities to University ownership, upgrading the facilities and joining in the planning for a new, world-class medical center on the east bank of the Twin Cities campus — critical to advancing the long-term health of Minnesotans.
“The University is ready to make this vision a reality,” said Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations Myron Frans. “Within the University’s health care district, we have prudently acquired land over the years for a new hospital — space that will be more accessible for patients, that will better connect to our research and innovation spaces the State has already invested in and that leverages other investments for the greatest impact on our region.”
In addition to its five-point vision — about which greater detail is being developed and will be available soon — the University remains committed to continued partnership with all health care providers in Minnesota to ensure teaching, research and innovation are provided to medical professionals and patients statewide. This includes Fairview Health Services, which currently owns Twin Cities campus health facilities through the M Health Fairview affiliation agreement and recently announced plans to explore a merger with Sanford Health. The University has and will continue to contribute fully to discussions the Minnesota Attorney General and others are raising about the Fairview/Sanford proposal.