Task Force on Academic Health
Governor's Task Force on Academic Health at the University of Minnesota
Governor Tim Walz issued an Executive Order establishing the Governor's Task Force on Academic Health at the University of Minnesota on Aug. 10, 2023.
The task force will develop recommendations to support world-class academic health professions education, research, and care delivery by the Health Sciences Programs that advance equity, center primary care, and ensure that Minnesotans can continue to receive the highest-quality care in a financially sustainable way.
Reports
Recommendations to Support World-Class Academic Health Professions Education, Research, and Care Delivery (PDF) - Feb. 5, 2024
Task force members
Jakub Tolar – Minneapolis
Member representing the University of Minnesota.
Penny Wheeler – Minneapolis
Member representing the University of Minnesota.
David Herman – Duluth
Member with expertise in delivering primary care or care in rural areas.
Meghan Walsh – West Saint Paul
Member with expertise in delivering primary care or care in rural areas.
Pahoua Hoffman – Minneapolis
Member with expertise in health disparities and health equity, particularly as they relate to health professions education and access to health care.
Julia Joseph-Di Caprio – Saint Paul
Member with expertise in health disparities and health equity, particularly as they relate to health professions education and access to health care.
Brenda Hilbrich – Saint Paul
Member with expertise in health professions education and health care workforce issues.
Connie Delaney – Edina
Member with expertise in health professions education and health care workforce issues.
Barbara Joers – South Saint Paul
Member with expertise in hospital or health system finances, state/federal health care reimbursement issues, health care spending, or health economics.
Vance Opperman – Minneapolis
Member with expertise in hospital or health system finances, state/federal health care reimbursement issues, health care spending, or health economics.
Carol Backstrom – Duluth
Member representing the Minnesota Department of Health.
Dennis Olson – Hugo
Member representing the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
Melissa Wiklund – Bloomington
Member representing the Minnesota Senate.
Tina Liebling – Rochester
Member representing the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Special Advisors
Mark Dayton – Minnesota Governor (2011-2018)
Tim Pawlenty – Minnesota Governor (2003-2010)
Chairperson
Jan Malcolm
Responsibilities
The task force will meet twice a month (more often as necessary) and will:
- Review examples from other states to identify options for potential public funding of academic health and for partnerships (financial and clinical) with non-academic health systems.
- Consider collaborative financial support and partnership models for academic health that recognize both the costs of, and benefits to, health professions education for Minnesota patients, health care systems, and residents.
- Examine potential options for governance and oversight of any publicly funded health professions education at the Health Sciences Programs.
- Discuss short-, medium-, and long-term funding needs to support the vision for academic health and the role of the State of Minnesota and various clinical partners in meeting these funding needs.
- Develop goals and expectations for academic health performance related to equity, workforce diversity, geographic accessibility, and primary care and prevention that align with One Minnesota goals for Minnesota health care.
Meeting information