The Rural Health Innovation Collaborative will unite and enhance the capabilities of Union Hospital and its Lugar Center, Indiana University School of Medicine - Terre Haute, Indiana State University and Ivy Tech Community College Wabash Valley to improve the delivery of health care in rural settings across Indiana. The Collaborative - developed in partnership with the Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation and the City of Terre Haute - also will enhance the economic vitality of the community by reinforcing community employers and building sustainable, new enterprise. Set out below are thumbnail background descriptions of the Founding Partners.
Indiana State University |
Indiana University School of Medicine |
| In 2007, Indiana State University ("ISU") approved the creation of a new comprehensive college to serve the needs of health-related professions. Acting on the recommendations of a campus-community task force and the University's chief academic officer, the ISU Board of Trustees approved the College of Nursing, Health and Human Services. The new college incorporates programs previously housed in the College of Health and Human Performance and the College of Nursing. Other health-related programs housed elsewhere, including in the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education, may elect to be part of the new college in the future. This strategic development is viewed as the best way to provide the health professions with the resources, visibility, identity, and leadership opportunities needed to be successful. | Indiana University School of Medicine - Terre Haute ("IUSM") has begun an expansion of the medical school at the Terre Haute site. Specifically, the class of first year medical students was increased from 16 to 24 in the fall of 2007. Beginning with the expanded 2008 class, students accepted to the newly designed rural-focused curriculum will remain in Terre Haute for all four years of their medical training rather than move to the hub medical school site for years three and four. Over time, the number of medical students being educated in Terre Haute at any one time would at least double, from the current 32 to at least 64, and possibly higher. It is anticipated that most, if not all, of those students will be on the rural training track. |
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Union Hospital, Richard G. Lugar |
Ivy Tech Community College Wabash Valley |
The Lugar Center is a part of Union Hospital and its Family Medicine Residency program dedicated to preparing physicians to serve in rural communities. Using a specially designed, hands-on, accredited Rural Training Track curriculum, physicians learn innovative techniques and best practices for serving remote populations. Union Hospital's Family Medicine Residency program is in the process of increasing from five students in each of their three years of residency training to seven students in each class. Concurrently, the Lugar Center has developed into a policy and program leader with the development of innovative methodologies to support a workforce that is well-prepared to provide access to quality health care services in remote areas nationally and internationally.
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Ivy Tech Community College is a primary educator of allied health and life science workers in the Wabash Valley Region. The College's overall success in meeting the community's educational needs is demonstrated by record enrollments during Fall 2008 of over 6,100 students. Currently, the Region enrolls over 650 students in a wide variety of health and life science career programs. The School of Health Sciences provides students the option to pursue a technical certificate or an associate's degree, both of which prepare individuals to enter the job market immediately, or allows graduates to transfer credits to Indiana State University or other four-year institutions. In the allied health field, Ivy Tech Community College has responded to local employer needs and the tremendous opportunities in the health care industry to educate well-prepared health care professionals. The Wabash Valley campuses offer programming in health and life sciences areas including Biotechnology, Medical Assisting, Medical Laboratory Technology, Registered Nursing, Licensed Practical Nursing, Paramedic Science, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care, Surgical Technology, and Therapeutic Massage. |
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Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation |
City of Terre Haute |
| Representing a cross-section of the region's industries - including the expanding life sciences and health sectors - the Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation ("THEDC") is uniquely situated at the intersection of business and economic development. The THEDC works closely with local, regional and state agencies to create a strong link for industry needs, promoting job retention, job creation, and business investment in the Terre Haute community. One way the THEDC distinguishes itself is through the availability of turn-key, "profit-ready" buildings and industrial properties, as well as through its ability to effectively and efficiently manage those facilities. | The City of Terre Haute, under the direction of the Office of the Mayor, is dedicated to assisting in creating and maintaining a vibrant, prosperous, economically balanced community offering housing and employment opportunities for all citizens. Included in its efforts to achieve this goal, and in alignment with the RHIC initiative, the City administers programs designed to eliminate slum and blight, create affordable housing opportunities, build and maintain the physical infrastructure of eligible neighborhoods, provide for urgent need, and facilitate economic development activities. Through these and its many other initiatives, the City of Terre Haute is working diligently to continuously improve the quality of life for all in the Terre Haute community. |
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The Rural Health Innovation Collaborative Initial Structure
The initial structure of the Collaborative was guided by a Leadership Committee that included the executives of the Founding Partners and convened when needed to make high-level decisions. An Operations Committee was also initially established to handle day-to-day set up of the RHIC. This Operations Committee was composed of representatives from each of the institutions and was responsible for the initial implementation of the RHIC’s initiative elements.
To effectively measure outcomes and ensure accountability, the Operations Committee began by developing a comprehensive plan to build collaboration while moving each component of the project through time-sensitive, milestone-driven performance gates. Toward this end, the Operations Committee developed five working groups to manage the initiative's activities in the following areas: Communications, Education, Facilities, Finance and Economic Development.
To assist with project management of the Collaborative, the Founding Partners employed an outside facilitator to support these efforts. As the Collaborative evolves, the leadership continues to explore ways to engage additional programmatic partners to successfully carry out the elements of the initiative. In addition, the Founding Partners have made significant progress toward establishing a more formal structure (as delineated below) to ensure a strong foundation for the Collaborative.
The NEW RHIC Structure
The Collaborative has now formally adopted Bylaws and other guiding partnership documents. On December 10, 2009 the RHIC became officially incorporated through the state of Indiana.
The Leadership and Operations Committees have been transformed into a formal board of directors, including standing committees as follows: Executive, Audit, Finance and Governance. The board also named special committees as follows: Communication, Economic Development, Education, Facilities and Resource Development. Through this more formal structure, the partners are excited about the RHIC’s ability for continued successful growth that will ensure our collaborative success toward improving and expanding education and training of health care professionals and future health care professionals, especially for those committed to serving rural and undeserved populations. This continued success will also ensure a brighter future, including long-term economic vitality, in our community and surrounding communities.
RHIC Organization Chart
