When was the IHI established and why?
The IHI was formed virtually in 2005 and was launched as a physical entity in Diehl Hall in 2009 to link the growing health informatics–related research, teaching, and outreach functions at the University of Minnesota, optimizing opportunities for coordination, synergy, and collaboration.
What is the IHI’s relationship to the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center?
The IHI is an integral component of the Academic Health Center. It brings together the health information research, education, and operational functions of the AHC’s six schools and colleges into a single, multidisciplinary resource. Thus, the IHI is not limited to medical or clinical informatics, but includes informatics as it relates to the professions and practices of nursing, dentistry, public health, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and the Health Sciences Libraries as well.
What does the IHI do?
The IHI focuses on four areas:
- research - Our award-winning faculty lead research aimed at discovering new approaches to improving health through better use of information and information technologies.
- graduate education - Courses of study lead to the MHI and Ph.D./M.S. degrees.
- community engagement - We advise and collaborate with Minnesota-based, regional, and national health care providers and industry leaders as they apply information technology to developing and implementing new and better ways to generate, manage, access, understand, and use health-related information.
- technology transfer - In conjunction with the University of Minnesota Office for Technology Commercialization, we develop, commercialize, and disseminate new software, technologies, devices, instrumentation, and other products to improve the gathering, analysis, and use of health-related information.
How does the IHI fit into the larger mission of the University of Minnesota?
The University sees informatics as an important growth area as it strives to reach its goal of becoming one of the top three public research universities in the world. IHI has the strong support of the senior vice president for health sciences, and the University’s investment in health informatics is considered a critical building block for future success in clinical sciences, clinical research, and inter-professional education
Who is on the IHI faculty?
The IHI faculty comprises a diverse array of leaders from academia and the health care community. Together the faculty fellows and graduate faculty represent eight University of Minnesota schools, colleges, and institutes, as well as Health Sciences Libraries, Mayo Clinic, Fairview Health Services, HealthPartners, and the Minnesota Department of Health. See the Faculty Focus Grid for information on disciplines and areas of expertise represented.
Where is the IHI?
We’re physically located on the plaza level of
Diehl Hall on the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis. On a virtual and collaborative basis, we have a presence in health care organizations and agencies throughout Minnesota.
What is the IHI’s scope?
Collaborations and partnerships around the country and the strong alumni base of the programs that came together to form the IHI give us national and international as well as local and regional impact.
