Academic Health Request

The University of Minnesota is requesting $80 million in ongoing state funding to expand and enhance its academic health system. The funds may be used for all aspects of academic health planning and delivery, including (but not limited to):

  • the establishment of up to four new Medical Discovery Teams;
  • maintenance and expansion of healthcare in underserved communities;
  • expansion of education and workforce development opportunities and career pathways for healthcare professionals;
  • transformation of primary care;
  • support for the Center for Learning Health Systems Sciences;
  • and enhancement and development of a rural health clinical trials network and pre-hospital care network. 

University of Minnesota’s academic health system will advance health care for future generations.

Minnesotans benefit from academic health care

Better patient outcomes
  • Patients treated at major academic hospitals — where patient care, medical education, and research come together — have a survival rate up to 20% higher than those treated at non academic health hospitals, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Access to cutting-edge diagnostics, advanced treatments, specialized care and clinical trials
  • Our doctors, pharmacists and other health professionals are experts in their fields, studying and developing the latest technologies and treatments across disciplines.
  • We often see the sickest patients that other health systems turn away.
  • Our researchers help patients access groundbreaking clinical trials, improving outcomes for all Minnesotans.
Healthier local communities statewide 
  • The University trains Minnesota’s health care workforce — 70% of physicians, over 60% of pharmacists, 73% of dentists, 69% of public health professionals, and we offer Minnesota’s only doctorate in nursing. 
  • U of M currently partners with more than 2,000 clinical training sites across the state, providing interdisciplinary training for Minnesota’s health care workforce in many underserved communities and tackling local challenges like access to care, opioid abuse disorder, and mental health challenges.
  • The University reduces the burden (e.g. financial, time, logistical) on patients and families across our state, who would otherwise need to travel for care, by supporting local clinics with equipment, staff, training through unique programs like the Minnesota Cancer Clinical Trials Network.
Health care advancements for future generations
  • From the first successful open-heart surgery to today's leading-edge cancer therapies, the University of Minnesota has always been a global leader in health care innovation. 
  • The U of M’s health science schools form one of the largest, most comprehensive academic health centers in the nation–uniquely positioned to solve Minnesota’s health care challenges, lead breakthrough research, and train the next generation of leading health professionals.
  • As educators and researchers, our health care professionals are driving health care delivery innovation in clinics throughout Minnesota–improving patient care, increasing efficiency, and reducing costs. 

Learn more about University of Minnesota Health Sciences 

Academic Health at the State Capitol

The Minnesota Legislature passed a bill in May 2023, signed into law by Governor Walz, that ensures the University’s academic health facilities — the University Medical Center East and West Bank hospitals, and the Masonic Children’s Hospital — cannot be owned or controlled by a for-profit or out-of-state entity, unless the attorney general, in consultation with the commissioner of health and Board of Regents, determines ownership or control by a for-profit entity or out-of-state entity is in the public interest. Read the law. 

On July 27, 2023, the University became aware of the news that Sanford would not be proceeding with its proposed merger with Fairview. As we move forward from here, we remain focused on our public mission to provide high quality, innovative and leading-edge care to patients across Minnesota, and how we can best support access to world-class health care for the entire state.

On August 10, 2023, Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 23-09, creating the Governor’s Task Force on Academic Health at the University of Minnesota. Read statements about this news from University of Minnesota Board of Regents Chair Janie Mayeron, Interim President Jeff Ettinger, and Dr. Jakub Tolar, vice president for clinical affairs and Dean of the Medical School.