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University of Minnesota’s Role in Training the State’s Health Care Workforce
Dr. Jakub Tolar, dean of the Medical School and vice president for clinical affairs, recently shared his perspective on the University of Minnesota’s outsized role in training Minnesota’s health care professionals. In particular, Tolar emphasized the importance of the University’s mission in training a health care workforce capable of maintaining the state’s overall health in the face of significant disparities in access to quality care.
According to Tolar, Minnesota consistently provides a high quality of life to its residents regardless of whether they reside in a large metropolitan area or a smaller rural community. However, disparities in access to health care are significantly greater in rural areas, where the number of people per primary care physician, pharmacist, dentist, or other health care professional is much higher. To address this issue, the University of Minnesota, which already educates 70% of the state’s physicians, 73% of dentists, 60% of pharmacists, and 69% of public health professionals, as well as offering the state’s only Ph.D. program for nursing. This training takes place on the Duluth and Rochester campuses, as well as at over 3,000 clinical training sites across the state.
Closing Care Gaps Through Innovative Initiatives
Beyond its commitment to training a rural health care workforce, the University of Minnesota is also taking innovative steps to close gaps in health care access. For instance, the University has established an affiliation with CentraCare to establish a new Medical School campus in St. Cloud. Additionally, the University has launched several mobile and telehealth initiatives to increase access to care in rural areas. These initiatives include:
- A first-of-its-kind ECMO vehicle equipped to treat cardiac arrest patients off-site and in transit to the hospital
- Telemedicine programs that allow physicians to work virtually, 24/7, with patients in any location
- The UCare Mobile Dental Clinic.
Investing in the University of Minnesota’s Health Care Vision
Tolar emphasized that while many regional health systems are attempting to address disparities in health care access between rural and urban areas, the University of Minnesota is committed to increasing access across the entire state. Tolar closed by reiterating that investment in the University of Minnesota’s health care vision is a proven and effective way to build a healthy Minnesota for all residents.
