Summer Internships: The University of Iowa Health Alliance

By Adam Price and Katherine Read

The University of Iowa Health Alliance (UIHA) was formed in the summer of 2012 and is a collaboration between the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Genesis of the Quad Cities, Mercy Cedar Rapids, and Mercy Health Network out of Des Moines. UIHA is comprised of more than 50 hospitals and 160 physician clinics throughout the state of Iowa. The partnership allows each organization to maintain its legacy and independence, while promoting clinical integration and care coordination. It does not involve a merger of assets or changes in ownership or control. The structure is designed to sustain and honor the members’ local missions and governance authorities, while participating in a larger effort to lead needed changes in the health care system. The alliance also is designed to encourage additional health care providers in Iowa and contiguous states to join and participate in these important initiatives.

This internship has provided us enormous opportunities to collaborate with all the organizations in a number of capacities. We have been able to sit in on board meetings with top ranking officials from each organization, including the CEOs. We were also assigned to be members of committees in charge of clinical integration, contracting, and marketing. We work closely with members of the committees which include Vice Presidents, Medical Directors, and marketing specialists. We have had the advantage to help collaborate with CoOportunity Health in developing a UIHA exchange product. Projects we have worked on include:

• A clinical integration model
• Physician education regarding UIHA initiatives and activities
• Exploration and explanation of newly acquired technology to aid population management
• Strategies for the advancement of network development 

This summer has been full of fun. We absolutely love working together in our office graciously provided to us by the HMP department for the summer (although a window would have been nice!). The summer started out with the threat of major flooding in Iowa City. We watched as the U of I put up a huge wall around Art Building West and built a sand wall all along the river. They are still in the process of removing all the barriers and now the campus looks like one giant beach volleyball court. July brought us the Tour de France. We followed that thrilling race through the three weeks and even had a fantasy league. Adam lost to Chris Stamy! July also ushered in a new era as His Royal Highness Prince George was born – one of the more exciting days in the office – at least for Katherine!

As we are wrapping up the summer we are glad to have had such wonderful experiences and great chances to meet people across Iowa.