University of Iowa Health Management & Policy

By: Bryson Kruthoff Colleagues, classmates, friends and random readers: I hope this blog post finds you well and that your investment portfolios make a swift recovery after the tumult following the Brexit vote. I am writing to you all from the base of the Rocky Mountains in Denver, Colorado, where I am completing my internship in the Cardiac and Vascular Center at the University of Colorado Hospital. Having reached the halfway point of my internship, the project work is reaching maximum capacity as I try to cram as many learning opportunities as I can into this short summer. My primary focus with the Cardiac and Vascular Center is the implementation of a patient tracking tool to improve efficiency within the clinic. Beyond tracking patients, the CVC leadership wants to experiment with tracking physicians and staff members within the clinic. You all can imagine the excitement and receptiveness from physicians when they were told they would be tracked by an electronic device. ...

By: Joe Kim Hello, everyone! This summer, I’m interning at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, a Top 100 Hospital with 532 licensed beds right at the edge of downtown. I’m working under Joe Linn, Vice President of Operations, forming a powerful Joe & Joe duo. St. Luke’s is a top 3 US News & World Report hospital in Iowa, Truven Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospital, and holds the first rehab program in the state to be CARF accredited. All of these awards and accolades would not be made possible without a strong culture within the organization. I’m starting my fifth week here and it already feels like home. Everyone is welcoming, and it has been fun getting to know the hard workers around me. A big project that is ongoing throughout this summer is in regards to culture and values. There will be a launch in the middle of July for training staff members on the new values of the organization, across all of the UnityPoint affiliates. Logistically speaking, it is a lot to coordina...

Job Summary: The Indian Health Service is seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Area Director for the Great Plains Area, which includes all IHS operations in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa.   This is a career Federal position in the Senior Executive Service.   See “Duties and Responsibilities” section for a list of the major responsibilities. The Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The provision of health services to members of federally-recognized Tribes grew out of the special government-to-government relationship between the federal government and Indian Tribes. This relationship, established in 1787, is based on Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, and has been given form and substance by numerous treaties, laws, Supreme Court decisions, and Executive Orders. The IHS is the pr...

By: Ellie Dusheck Hello from Iowa City! I am interning at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) in hospital operations for the summer. I am working under Scott Turner, Co-Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of the UI Children’s Hospital, on several projects, including the transition into the new children’s hospital. UIHC is Iowa’s only comprehensive academic medical center, with 732 inpatient beds, and has been recognized for the second year in a row as America’s #1 Health Care Employer. In my two weeks at UIHC, I have been able to observe and participate in many meetings concerning the transition into the new children’s hospital (opening December 10—get excited!), assist with a presentation for the 2016 Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day, and contribute to the annual space survey of every room in the hospital. My preceptor has allowed me to view the transition into the children’s hospital from both a capital management perspective and a work flow and e...

By: Kristin Bramow It’s week three at MediRevv, and time is flying by! MediRevv is a revenue cycle management  (RCM) company that works with a variety of organizations, both hospital and physician, to boost revenue by providing RCM services in self-pay, insurance, and coding. I have to say that, although I knew how much culture is emphasized within these walls, the reality of it was not realized until I stepped through the door. In just the few short weeks I have been here, there have been countless events, including a fundraising week for The Red Nose Day, a Minute to Win It competition, a Massage Day, and even free donuts for National Donut Day!  Every member of the team here at MediRevv, from front line staff to the executive team, has been so welcoming. This organization puts its employees first, and working in this type of environment has me really excited for the future weeks to come. During my first week, I was able to meet with the executive team members one-on-...

By: Jace Brady Hello all! I am writing from Atlanta, Georgia, where I am spending my summer with the Emory Clinic. Within the clinic, I am working for the division of cardiology, which sees nearly 500,000 patients a year across 23 clinic locations. Emory is currently undergoing immense growth and structural changes, making this an exciting time to be part of this community. In my short time here, I have managed to get my hands into many aspects of clinic management. I have taken part in budget meetings and rubbed shoulders with many of the decision makers across the organization. I have also had the opportunity to learn about access challenges that face such a large organization and how Emory is working to become a world leader in access. Cardiology is currently implementing guaranteed next day availability for new patients. My major project while I’m here includes creating a staffing model for all the cardiology clinics and creating a standardized work flow for clinic visits. ...