U of M advances health sciences plan addressing health for all Minnesotans

Aligned vision across health programs provides unique opportunities to tackle statewide challenges

Leaders from across the University of Minnesota’s health sciences programs outlined key objectives for a unified health science strategic plan during a discussion with the Board of Regents Special Committee on Academic Health earlier this week. The discussion was particularly timely at a moment when Minnesota must address critical shortages of health care professionals and increase health care access and equity across the state.

"The components of this strategic plan revolve around a basic, but powerful idea — ensuring all Minnesotans have access to exceptional health care," said President Rebecca Cunningham. "The University of Minnesota has one of the nation’s most comprehensive collections of health sciences programs and many are already recognized for excellence, including nationally ranked programs in every one of our health sciences schools. When we align our unmatched expertise with current and emerging health care needs of the state, we help all Minnesotans lead healthier, happier lives for generations to come."

U of M health sciences leaders collectively presented objectives and actions they envision will drive meaningful outcomes across the entire state through workforce expansion, partnerships with providers in rural and underserved communities, accessible care including telehealth and mobile care, and discoveries and treatments. 

The plan attaches proposed actions and measurable outcomes to each objective, outlining what could be realistically achieved with requested levels of state partnership, as well as what may be possible with additional investment. The concepts range from building blocks, like funding to train more than 1,000 additional health care professionals each decade, to bold visions, like replicating in Greater Minnesota the powerful interprofessional care of the Community-University Health Care Center. The plan focuses on what can be uniquely provided by the University, especially by addressing the health of people, animals, plants, natural resources and the environment.

Leaders expressed urgency around the need to invest in these programs now. Workforce shortages are growing. Health care deserts have already emerged across Minnesota's rural and under-resourced communities and need to be addressed. And the state's population, along with the health care workforce itself, continues to age. 

University of Minnesota health sciences already play an important role in taking care of Minnesotans. The U of M is a workforce development powerhouse because it’s one of only four universities in the nation with schools dedicated to medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, public health and veterinary medicine. Beyond more than 2,000 clinical training sites across the state, medicine and pharmacy teach students in Duluth, the Medical School is expanding to St. Cloud, the U of M’s Rochester campus is dedicated to training the highly diverse and well-educated health care professionals the state needs, and the Crookston and Morris campuses support student pathways into a variety of health sciences careers.

As part of its September meeting, the Board also reviewed President Rebecca Cunningham's recommended biennial budget request, which includes $45 million in state investment to supplement the University’s own financial commitments to implement this plan.

Public comment encouraged through Board of Regents Virtual Forum

The Board continues to welcome public comment on any topic through the Board’s Virtual Forum. The public may submit audio, video or written comments to the Virtual Forum from anywhere at any time. All comments are shared directly with Regents and included in the Board’s public docket materials. Individuals are encouraged to visit the Virtual Forum to submit their comments.

The Board also:

• Reviewed the president’s recommended 2025 state capital request and six-year capital plan.
• Discussed the process for developing the University’s next systemwide strategic plan with President Cunningham.
• Discussed growing the University as a tech and corporate engagement hub with Shashank Priya, vice president for Research and Innovation; Rick Huebsch, associate vice president in Technology Commercialization; and Steve Corkery, associate vice president in the Corporate Engagement Center.
• Received an update on Enterprise Risk Management Program initiatives from Katharine Bonneson, assistant vice president for Health, Safety and Risk Management.
• Approved the new Rochester Campus Plan.
• Received an annual report on private giving from Kathy Schmidlkofer, president and CEO of the University of Minnesota Foundation.
• Reviewed proposed amendments to Board of Regents Policy: International Education, Research, and Outreach.
• Received an update on Twin Cities campus public safety from University of Minnesota Police Chief Matt Clark.

The Board of Regents is scheduled to meet next on Oct. 10-11. Visit regents.umn.edu for more information.