Brainstorming Sessions
Bringing Together Experts in New Ways
As a land-grant university, it is our responsibility to leverage this breadth of discipline and knowledge for the benefit of our state. Bringing unique understanding and expertise together in new ways will be the key to improving health and health care.
Throughout the year, the Office of Academic Clinical Affairs brings together expertise from across the University to think through actionable ideas that can improve outcomes for patients, families, and communities.
Previous Participants
Our brainstorming sessions have been attended by individuals at a variety of different leadership levels from across the University, including:
- Humphrey School of Public Affairs
- Institute of Health Informatics
- M Health Fairview
- Medical School
- School of Dentistry
- School of Nursing
- School of Public Health
- University of Minnesota Foundation
- Weisman Art Museum
Previous Sessions
In 2019, we convened three events that brought together experts from across the University to:
- identify vexing problems that require new solutions and resources, which resulted in the creation of the BOLD Ideas grant program
- look at existing interdisciplinary efforts as models, including the Dental Home Network for Children with Special Health Care Needs
- explore opportunities to develop relationships throughout the state
- brainstorm how we can all work together to tackle big, complex problems that cannot be solved from one perspective alone
These events included lively and engaging discussions around prioritization and assuring that all resources—human and financial—are aligned in a way to quickly demonstrate outcomes. The scale and interrelatedness of the impact of health on society was reflected in these gatherings.
Participants expressed enthusiasm about learning of clinical affairs-related work occurring across the University, broadening participation by surfacing additional areas of work, and more networking opportunities. Participants also asked for a more systems-based approach to collaboration and working across disciplinary boundaries, as well as developing common approaches to moving knowledge to the community.