As the academic year draws to a close, we want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate achievements across the health sciences and our soon-to-be graduates, who are beginning a new chapter in their careers, ready to make a meaningful impact in health care.
This year is especially significant because the Governor's Task Force on Academic Health and the state of Minnesota have called for a greater number of high-caliber health sciences graduates. The University health sciences have taken this directive to heart, emphasizing quality education, hands-on training, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Our learners are the living proof of our commitment to this goal.
Each of our schools and programs have produced specialists in their respective professions, whether they’re embarking on a career in dentistry, health and wellbeing, laboratory medical sciences, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, public health or veterinary medicine. The unique strengths of each school and program are a testament to the diverse expertise that fuels our University. Yet, the real strength lies in our ability to work together, transcending traditional boundaries to solve complex health challenges.
We are also expanding our efforts to train more health professionals. The College of Veterinary Medicine's 2+2 partnership with South Dakota State University has increased capacity by 20%, offering more opportunities for future veterinarians. Similarly, the Medical School has created a second regional campus in partnership with CentraCare in St. Cloud, further expanding our reach. Our School of Nursing is helping address the diversity of the health care workforce through an innovative program to increase the number of doctorally prepared American Indian/Alaska Native nurses.
To our graduates, as you embark on your careers, remember that you are more than the sum of your parts. The collaborative spirit that has defined your education will continue to be a driving force in your future success. We are proud of our nearly 1,300 graduates and your exceptional commitment and talent, and we know you will carry this excellence into the world.
Congratulations once again, and we look forward to witnessing the impact you will make in health care for all Minnesotans and beyond.
Driving Innovation & Discovery
MCC Director Search Update
The search committee for the next Director of the Masonic Cancer Center has been appointed. Chaired by Stephanie Terezakis, MD, the committee currently welcomes feedback from University stakeholders to contribute to the search process.
Inventing a Low-Cost MRI to Dramatically Expand Access
A CTSI grantee has developed a new kind of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that has the potential to change medical care for millions of children. Thanks to a grant from CTSI’s Office of Discovery and Translation, the team hopes to quickly move the newly created portable and low-cost MRI scanner to market.
Advancing Professional Education & Training
OACA Interprofessional Internship Highlight: Creating Resources for Stress and Anxiety Management with the Mobile Health Initiative
Adebayo Ibikunle, BDS, MPH, from the School of Dentistry, and Sara Busche, BS, from the Medical School, have been working with the Mobile Health Initiative to create evidence-based resource guides related to stress and anxiety self-management practices to share with providers to use with patients attending mobile health events.
Now Accepting Applications: CIH Affiliate Faculty & Ambassador Program
The Center for Interprofessional Health (CIH) Affiliate Faculty & Ambassador Program is an educational continuum designed to engage UMN faculty, staff, or community-based health professionals who are interested in interprofessional teaching, interprofessional innovations, interprofessional practice, and/or faculty-initiated interprofessional research. Applications will be accepted through May 17.
Partnering with Communities
Mini Medical School Recordings Now Available
In case you missed it, recordings of the spring Mini Medical School series, “Mind Matters: The Brain and Mental Health,” are now available. Tune in to discover the latest breakthroughs in brain science and delve into the fascinating world of the brain, mental health, and aging through three enlightening sessions led by esteemed experts.
U-Wide Events and Opportunities
Music and Mindfulness at the Minnesota Orchestra
Join the Bakken Center in collaboration with the Minnesota Orchestra on May 9 for an evening of music and mindfulness through performances, informative presentations, brief guided meditations, and discussion.
Telehealth Everywhere 2024
Join the Great Plains Telehealth Resource & Assistance Center on May 21-22 for their annual regional telehealth conference focused on delivering information and experiences that will help drive your telehealth program forward into the future.
May 14: Health Equity Seminar Series
Learn from C2DREAM on advancing implementation science through an anti-racist lens.
Other News
