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Blue Ribbon Committee on UMN Medical School Begins Work Next Week


 

Contact: Sandy Connolly, Director of Communications
Office of Higher Education
(651) 259-3902

St. Paul, MN -- The Blue Ribbon Committee on the University of Minnesota Medical School launched by Governor Mark Dayton will hold its first meeting next Tuesday, August 19th, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on the U of MN campus.

Dayton announced the creation of the committee by Executive Order on August 1, citing it as a milestone effort to enhance the national prominence of the U of MN Medical School.

"The future health of Minnesotans depends on what we do now to train the next generation of medical professionals in our state," said Governor Dayton. "Today's medical students will become the doctors who will care for our families, and the research professionals who will develop life-saving innovations in medical technology in the years to come."

Larry Pogemiller, Commissioner of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, will co-chair the committee, along with an individual to be selected at the first meeting. Other members include University leaders, health-system and other private-sector leaders, legislators, state officials, health professional associations, and a patient representative.

"The group will work diligently to come up with recommendations to the Governor and legislature on strategies and investments to strengthen the position of the University Medical School," said Pogemiller. "A primary focus will be how the state can best partner with the University to ensure the Medical School's national prominence in research, innovation and medical education."

According to Pogemiller, the committee will be considering a wide range of issues, including how to strengthen research and shorten the timeline to implementation, prepare doctors from diverse backgrounds to meet the changing demographics of the state, and how to address Minnesota's health and primary care workforce needs.

Agenda for the first meeting
ItemTime
1. Introductions9:30 am
2. Charge - Executive Order by Governor Dayton
3. Tentative Schedule
4. Baseline Background Information9:45 am
  • Draft Questions to be Examined
  • Information, Data Suggestions/Requests - Single Point of Contact to Facilitate
5. Dr. Jay Brooks Jackson11:00 am
  • Observations, Internal Discussions/Activity Update
6. Selection of Co-Chair11:25 am
7. Adjourn11:30 am

Pogemiller said they will meet at least monthly, with final policy and budget recommendations offered to the Governor in December, in preparation for the 2015 legislative session.

The Blue Ribbon Committee meetings will be held at the Lions Research Building/McGuire Translational Research Facility at 2001 6th St. SE in Minneapolis. The meetings are open to the public.

Pogemiller said the committee is seeking input from stakeholders and the public. If you would like to provide input, please contact Commissioner Pogemiller at 651-259-3900 or by email at larry.pogemiller@state.mn.us.

For more information, contact Sandy Connolly at 651-259-3902 or by email at sandy.connolly@state.mn.us


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