Rural Health Innovation Collaborative Mission
The mission of the Rural Health Innovation Collaborative (RHIC) is to improve and expand interprofessional education, training, and deployment of future health care providers, especially for those committed to serving rural populations. The RHIC also will be an economic engine for west-central Indiana through the development of health care-related jobs and a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization in Terre Haute.
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.