The University of Michigan (U-M) is already a national leader in health service research (HSR), however, HSR at U-M spans numerous schools, and within UMHS, almost every clinical department. In September 2009, the Directors Committee approved a proposal to co-locate at the NCRC more than 125 faculty and 450 staff in the study of the "most effective ways to organize, manage, finance, and deliver high quality care; reduce medical errors; and improve patient safety" (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2002).
The goals of co-locating include strengthening U-M's existing HSR programs; developing research programs in national healthcare policy, international health, and implementation science; and impacting regional, national and global health care policy and improvement decisions. In support of those goals, the University expects co-location will:
- Foster new, multidisciplinary collaborations
- Allow for the creation of shared research cores in the areas of data management and social science research
- Attract and retain faculty leaders, essential for continued growth and visibility in high priority areas
- Establish an effecter arm for HSR at U-M
Dr. Rod HaywardRod Hayward, MD, a professor in both U-M's Medical School and School of Public Health, is serving as Interim Director. Dr. Hayward is charged with leading a multi-disciplinary, planning team that aims to locate the first HSR groups at NCRC before the end of 2010. The team is diligently pursuing important public and private partnerships in this effort.