![]() |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Dear Colleagues: We commissioned this feasibility study for two major reasons. First, the U.S. healthcare system is undergoing historic transformation driven by an aging population with more chronic conditions, an influx of millions of new people into the healthcare system due to the Affordable Care Act, and a severe physician shortage. In addition, the convergence of engineering, technology and medicine will lead to discoveries that will result in greater access to better healthcare at lower cost for more people. Studying how to best address this new reality is consistent with Carle’s mission to serve people through high quality care, medical research and education. Second, the university’s Visioning Future Excellence initiative identified health and wellness, information and technology and economic development as three themes the university should focus its investments upon in order to meet society’s greatest challenges http:// http://oc.illinois.edu/visioning. The Business Cluster Development report identified biomedical and bioengineering as a technology cluster that would enhance economic development in our region http://go.illinois.edu/technologyclusterdevelopment. However, that report states that the lack of a full scale medical program prevents us from realizing the potential economic development impact of this cluster.
Tripp Umbach reviewed many approaches and ultimately recommends developing a specialized engineering-based medical college in Urbana-Champaign that would be the nation’s first medical school designed for the express purpose of fusing engineering, computing, health sciences and medicine. It would train physician-scientists to shape the future of healthcare delivery, practice and technology. This specialized engineering-based medical college would advance health care and improve patient outcomes. It would grow the state’s biotech sector and serve as an international magnet for innovation and scholarship. Investment and new jobs would flow into Illinois at a faster pace. We are excited by these findings and, in coming months, will analyze and interpret the initial recommendations along with additional information to be developed. As part of the process it will be necessary for our respective governing bodies to consider and approve the important initiative. We hope you will take time to review the report, which is available at: http://go.illinois.edu/collegeofmedicinestudy.
Phyllis M. Wise, Chancellor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
|
||||
This mailing approved by:
Office of the Chancellor sent to: Academic Professionals, Civil Service & Faculty |
||||
Massmail Archive . Massmail powered by WebTools | ||||