The University of Minnesota recently welcomed Dr. Robert Otto Valdez, the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), to share his vision for the agency and how healthcare systems might approach their common challenges. Dr. Valdez is an internationally recognized expert in health systems research and U.S. healthcare policy analysis.
The event was co-hosted by the Center for Quality, Outcomes, Delivery and Evaluation (C-QODE), a center co-founded and directed by Associate Professors in the Medical School’s Department of Surgery, Drs. Christopher Tignanelli and Schelomo Marmor, and the Carlson School of Management’s Medical Industry Leadership Institute (MILI). Other sponsors included the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), the Center for Learning Health System Sciences (CHLSS), the School of Public Health (SPH) and the Medical School.
When asked about the visit, Dr. Marmor mentioned the importance of building multidisciplinary partnerships and the importance of AHRQ, as a government agency, that functions to improve health care quality in the United States. Dr. Tignanelli was encouraged by the large gathering from all parts of the University and the Medical School to hear Dr. Valdez. “We helped coordinate Dr. Valdez’s visit because we hoped to energize the experts at the University and inspire them to continue working to improve healthcare quality locally and nationally by using a data-centric approach. We need to continue leading in this research space.”
“The success of this event underscores the leadership of University of Minnesota researchers and the success of team science,” added Dr. Marmor.
Dr. Valdez had two scheduled days at the University, meeting with researchers from different health disciplines and hearing about their research.
The U of M has also proudly partnered with AHRQ through SPH’s Evidence-Based Practice Center (EPC). The EPC, whose mission is to “synthesize scientific evidence to improve quality and effectiveness in health care,” conducts systematic reviews of healthcare topics for federal and state agencies, professional associations and foundations.
AHRQ aims to generate scientific knowledge and evidence, move evidence into practice and provide monitoring and feedback. As a Federal entity, AHRQ has a unique role focused on health care improvement, and as Dr. Valdez shared, “Making 21st century care a reality for all Americans.”
A version of this article appeared originally on website of the University of Minnesota Medical School.
