“The new Health Sciences Education Center (HSEC) is much more than a building; it is a catalyst for change as we prepare the next generation of health care professionals,” said Mark Rosenberg, MD, vice dean for education and academic affairs in the Medical School. “HSEC provides the space and momentum to continue to develop evidence-based education that includes more active learning using interactive classrooms, simulation facilities, and library resources which are part of the building. The space will promote interactions between students from multiple professions and disciplines as they learn, study and socialize with each other. It is a state-of-the-art space that is both functional and beautiful. Students, faculty and staff are excited and energized by the opportunities HSEC will bring to all of us.”
Today’s new models of health care require different professions to work together using new strategies and technologies. HSEC signals a transformation in health sciences education and brings together all of the health sciences schools and affiliated programs at the University of Minnesota. With an emphasis on interprofessional collaboration and training based on real-life scenarios, HSEC prepares future health professionals for the demands of our time.
“The opening of HSEC will provide the space for students, faculty and staff to create new ways of learning how to provide good healthcare to people,” said Jeannine Conway, PharmD, BCPS, associate dean of professional education in the College of Pharmacy. “As faculty we look forward to students from across academic health sciences being able to come together to begin to form interprofessional relationships while in the early stages of their education.”
© Lara Swimmer
At 202,000 gross square feet, HSEC is one of the most comprehensive interprofessional education facilities in the country. HSEC offers innovative classrooms with active learning and small-group teaching spaces and are equipped with video conferencing to enable distance learning. A virtual tour of the cabaret two-level classroom can be viewed here.
“The faculty in the School of Nursing are highly enthused about teaching in active learning classrooms and have been restructuring courses to leverage the use of active learning classrooms,” said Christine Mueller, PhD, RN, FGSA, FAAN, professor and senior executive associate dean for academic programs in the School of Nursing. “Further, HSEC will facilitate natural opportunities for health sciences students to learn together formally and informally.”