ASU establishes College of Health Solutions as new health education model

May 31, 2012

Arizona State University established the College of Health Solutions in May 2012 as part of its strategic initiative to build a new model for health education.

The new college includes the School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, the Department of Biomedical Informatics, the School of the Science of Health Care Delivery, and the Doctor of Behavioral Health Program. The college also will collaborate with affiliated ASU health units, including the College of Nursing and Health Innovation, the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, and numerous research centers and programs, such as the Center for Health Information and Research, the Health Care Delivery and Policy Program, and the Healthcare Transformation Institute. Executive Vice Provost and Dean Keith D. Lindor, MD Download Full Image

The multi-disciplinary college is led by Dean Keith D. Lindor, MD, who also serves as executive vice provost, and who joined ASU in January after serving seven years as dean of the Mayo Clinic Medical School in Rochester, Minn.

The mission of the College of Health Solutions is to better promote good health, prevent and control disease, and to improve health outcomes for patients and their families. To accomplish this mission, it serves as a knowledge exchange and catalyst for collaboration among health-related units across ASU, as well as providing support for health-related academic programs, transdisciplinary research initiatives, and strategic partnerships.

Right time for change

“It is time for a new model of integrated and interprofessional health education and delivery given the current costs and patient outcomes of the US health care system,” Lindor said. “America spends too much for health care that has sub-optimal outcomes. We need to move to a new model for health in this nation.”

Arizona is an ideal state and ASU a great university at which to build that model. The state has a highly diverse population which is underserved, lacks access to health care, and is at higher risk for chronic illnesses such as obesity and diabetes. ASU also does not have a medical school or center with vested interests in the status quo of health education.

The School of the Science of Health Care Delivery is being formed and will offer a specialized master’s degree in the Science of Health Care Delivery for ASU graduate students in fall semester 2013. When the announced Mayo Medical School – Arizona Campus in Scottsdale opens, the degree will be offered to Mayo Medical School students concurrently with their medical degree. The Mayo Medical School is believed to be the first medical school to offer such a program.

ASU Magazine showcases brain research, international alumni in May issue

May 31, 2012

The May 2012 edition of ASU Magazine features a cover story on cutting-edge brain research being conducted at Arizona State University and a showcase of the work of Sun Devil alumni living outside the United States who are making their mark on the world.

The cover story, “Thinking with the mind’s eye,” reports on the types of brain-related research that currently are being conducted at ASU. Some of the neurological questions that faculty members are probing include: cover image ASU Magazine Download Full Image

•    how memories are formed in the brain
•    how neurons behave in the brain during epileptic seizures
•    how deep-brain stimulation can enhance human performance
•    how to make artificial hands that can be wired directly into the human nervous system

The second feature section, entitled “Learn locally, work globally,” profiles 10 alumni who work outside of the United States. The Sun Devils featured live in locations as diverse as Great Britain, Israel, Japan, China and Italy and have job titles that include journalist, English-language instructor, engineer, recreation studies professor and power company CEO.

In addition to these two articles, the May edition includes a sports story on Jerry Romo and Rolando Nichols, two alums who announce Major League Baseball games for Spanish-language radio listeners; an arts story on the university’s music therapy program and its contributions to community wellness; updates related to ASU’s sports teams; news and photos from alumni chapters across the country; and a full complement of alumni-focused news reports in the Class Notes section.

ASU Magazine is distributed to readers who are graduates or supporters of Arizona State University, and may be accessed online at http://asumagazine.com.