The movers and shakers at the University of Minnesota got hands-on with academic medicine last Thursday, delving deep into the lifeblood of the institution's health science schools. The Board of Regents went on a full-day tour at the Twin Cities campus, rubbing elbows with innovators and eyeing up cutting-edge training facilities and healthcare delivery methods that are said to shape the future of medicine in the state.
Board Chair Janie Mayeron gushed about the experience, saying, "Thursday’s tour was an incredible opportunity to see this work in action," as reported by the University's news outlet. This exposure is part of the Board's grand plan to thoughtfully enhance the University’s academic health system for a 'healthier Minnesota'. Despite the push for a hands-off approach often touted by officials, Mayeron and her cohorts are looking into getting state and philanthropic support to see to it that top-notch health care isn't just a passing fancy.
The Board's visit was a marathon of innovative showcases—from M Simulation's immersive training to a Virtual Reality Studio, and even the Earl E. Bakken Medical Devices Center got a look-in. In the embrace of this full funding, the U of M aims to pour resources into underserved communities and juice up their primary care technology," according to the University's press release. We're not just talking about improving the day-to-day here – this could lead to monumental changes in how Minnesotans receive care, especially where it's most needed.
Meanwhile, the Board isn't skimping on their top brass either. President-designate Rebecca Cunningham's new five-year contract sports a hefty $975,000 starting salary. That figure plants her smack-dab near the 75th percentile of university bigwigs across the Big Ten and other research institutions.
Not to be left out of the limelight, interim University President Jeff Ettinger and U of M Police Chief Matt Clark gave the lowdown on public safety updates for the spring semester. Alongside these briefings, amendments to the employment agreement for Gopher Football head coach P.J. Fleck were approved, and the Board put a ring on a new conflict of interest policy for presidential positions.
For the eager beavers out there, the next Board meeting is slated for May 9-10. For the curious cats who want to read every nitty-gritty detail, the March docket materials, brimming with contract minutiae and policy changes, are up for grabs online.
