Humana and University of Houston set new standard for clinical training models
In 2019, Humana worked to further its partnership with the University of Houston on a 21st Century approach to clinical training that includes the use of non-medical experts in solving for health-related social needs.
The Humana Integrated Health System Sciences Institute at the University of Houston was created to disrupt the way we train health care leaders of tomorrow with a focus on advancing population health, improving health outcomes and expanding the use of value-based payment models.
The venture unites the university’s new College of Medicine with its existing colleges of Nursing, Optometry, Pharmacy, and Social Work. A $15-million gift over 10 years from Humana is helping to defray start-up and operational costs for the College of Medicine, as well as fund endowed chairs for each of the five colleges.
Because improving health also means collaborating with those who are experts in overcoming social determinants of health, it is important to our organizations that health-related social needs screening and resourcing integrate with specialty, pharmacy and primary medical care.
For the past year, the Humana Institute has been working across multiple colleges, including the clinical colleges, as well as the Honors College and colleges of Business and Education, among many others. The Humana Institute collaborations’ three pillars are Community, Education, and Research – all focused on improving health outcomes.
The first class of 30 medical students will begin July 20, and each student will receive a four-year scholarship worth $100,000 from an anonymous donor.
UH’s future clinicians will work in teams and be fluent in assessing the social determinants of health. They will be trained to understand the nuances of how patients’ home lives are affecting things like medication adherence and nutrition. And when those red flags go up, they will connect – not just refer – patients to resources who can help them, resulting in overall improved health outcomes and improved population health.
In 2019 alone, Humana Integrated Health System Sciences Institute launched more than 15 cross-functional programs and facilitated more than 10,000 hours of interdisciplinary clinical training for Humana associates and University of Houston students, faculty and staff.
The Institute established collaborative, cross-functional learning and continuing development opportunities attended by more than 6,000 Humana associates and University of Houston students, graduates, faculty and staff, as well as widely attended lectures and a “Lunch and Learn” series.