Minneapolis-based University of Minnesota plans to reorganize and "reimagine" its healthcare system to integrate the system's components more closely.
Here are four things to know:
1. The plan aims to address healthcare access challenges across the state and nation while strengthening its medical school and M Physicians' practice. It will also leverage the university's full reach, according to a Dec. 11 letter from leadership.
2. The university is searching for an interim executive vice president for health affairs, who will work alongside the CEO of University of Minnesota Physicians and the dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School. Both the CEO and dean will report to the new executive vice president.
"This expanded expertise and capability is essential for managing and operating a successful and financially sustainable university health system," wrote President Rebecca Cunningham, MD, Jakub Tolar, MD, PhD, a dean of the medical school and vice president of clinical affairs, and M Physicians CEO Bevan Yueh, MD.
3. M Physicians plans to adopt a new governance structure with the university, which will be created by June 30, the letter said.
4. The university is exploring options to purchase University of Minnesota Medical Center assets from Minneapolis-based Fairview Health Services, including Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. Existing M Health Fairview agreements are set to conclude in 2026.