December 11, 2007

MINUTES
University of Minnesota
Academic Health Center
Deans Council
December 11, 2007

The regular meeting of the Deans of the Academic Health Center was held on Tuesday, December 11 at 2:00 p.m. in 475 ChRC.

Members present:
Frank Cerra, Senior Vice President for Health Sciences
Trevor Ames, Interim Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine
Connie Delaney, Dean, School of Nursing
John Finnegan, Dean, School of Public Health
Patrick Lloyd, Dean, School of Dentistry
Charlie Moldow, Senior Associate Dean, Medical School (for Deborah Powell)
Marilyn Speedie, College of Pharmacy
Linda Watson, Director, Health Sciences Libraries

Staff present:
Terry Bock, Chief of Staff
Barbara Brandt, Assistant Vice President, AHC Office of Education
Charles Christiansen, Director, Center for Allied Health Programs
Jennifer Cieslak, Special Assistant to the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences, AHC
Mary Koppel, Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs
Beth Nunnally, Chief Financial Officer, AHC
Mark Paller, Assistant Vice President, AHC Office of Research

Review and Approval of Minutes – November 27, 2007
The council approved the minutes of November 27, 2007.

Academy for Excellence in Health Research
Mark Paller discussed the Academy for Excellence in Health Research which is intended as highest recognition of excellence in research by AHC faculty.  Up to four faculty members will be selected to the academy.  The date for submission of nominations is no later than March 14, 2008.  The nominee must be a current member of the AHC faculty.  Mark commented that previous nominees who were not selected should re-apply.

Academy for Excellence in Education
Barbara Brandt discussed the Academy for Excellence in Education which is intended as highest recognition of excellence in education by AHC faculty.  The date for submission of nominations is no later than February 22, 2008.  The nominee must be a current member of the AHC faculty, but can be community based faculty.  There are four categories that a nominee can qualify under, and Barbara will send the criteria to the deans.

Center for Allied Health Programs
Charles Christiansen gave an update on the progress of the Center for Allied Health Programs.  The mission of the center is to serve as an emerging statewide resource to develop academic programs in partnership with others to meet Minnesota’s allied health workforce needs.   Their long range plan is to develop multiple program performance sites, linked to each other, using technology enhanced learning models to improve access, increase learning efficiency, and boost capacity.  Chuck stated that Clinical Laboratory Sciences will start classes in Rochester in August, 2008.  Linda Watson stated that she is working with the library in Rochester, and looking for creative ways to provide information management support.

Workforce Update
Barbara Brandt gave an overview of the draft health professions workforce report.  Frank Cerra told the deans it was important for them to review the workforce document, and make sure the data is accurate for their college/school, as it will become one of the University’s official reports.  Barbara will send the report, with appendices, to the deans.  Frank Cerra stated the next report will address primary care medicine in the state of Minnesota.  In addition, Barbara is working on a report of AHEC including affiliated sites.

New Data Process
Terry Bock stated that Peter Radcliffe had been hired as the Senior Analyst in the Academic Health Center.  He was instrumental in developing institutional report while working at CLA.  Frank Cerra commented that it has been a challenge to get the appropriate data needed, and that it should be done on an ongoing basis and there should be more available.  Peter’s first priorities will be to work on financial reports needed with the new financial system, the primary care medicine report; and meet with the deans to determine their ongoing data needs.  Frank Cerra commented that the deans have to set the data priorities for their school/college, and manage the data for administrative decision-making.

Research!America Dues
John Finnegan stated that Research!America is the largest nonprofit group working with research universities in the U.S.  The School of Public Health has invested in a membership with dues of $6,000 per year.  John is wondering if the deans see any value in continuing this membership and, if so, if cost of the dues could be shared between the schools/colleges.  He didn’t feel that the membership was worth $6,000 to the School of Public Health alone.  Frank Cerra commented that the deans did not appear to feel there was enough value in the organization to support the cost of the dues.  Mark Paller stated that the only value for the cost would be lobbying for NIH budgets and whether Research!America is effective.  Frank Cerra felt the individual health professional organizations were already lobbying at a national level.  He suggest the deans send John their thoughts, otherwise, he thought the consensus was not to renew the membership.

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Anderson
Staff to the Academic Health Center Deans Council