1977: Center for Health Services Research
The onset of Medicare and Medicaid in the 1960s opened a need for health economists to study insurance and health policy. In 1977, under the leadership of John Kralewski, PhD, the Center for Health Services Research was founded at the University of Minnesota in the Office of the Vice President for Health Sciences. Dr. Kralewski hired a group of assistant professors and the Center provided a focal point for policy research related to the organization, financing and delivery of health services. Other national projects soon followed including studies on healthcare outcomes, rural hospital programs, nursing home and long-term care, and a series of national HMO studies. These projects firmly established the Center in the national arena.
1986: Division of Health Services Research and Policy
In 1986, the Center integrated into the School of Public Health and became the Division of Health Services Research and Policy. This period was characterized by major developments in the teaching program. The faculty began a major commitment to teaching in the Hospital Administration (MHA) and Health Services Research, Policy and Administration (PhD-HSRPA) programs located within the School of Public Health, apart from the Division. In 1987, the PhD Program was integrated with the Division.
1993: Institute for Health Services Research
In 1993, the Division established the MS in Health Services Research (MS-HSRPA) Program. With the addition of this new teaching and research program and opportunities for continued growth, the Division became the Institute for Health Services Research. Several joint degree programs were added in the late 1990s including Medicine—PhD/MD, Law—PhD or MS/JD, Nursing—MPH/MS, Public Policy—MS/MPP, and Business Administration—MPH/MBA.
1998: Division of Health Services Research and Policy (HSRP)
In 1999, the Institute became the Division of Health Management and Policy. The MPH program in Public Health Administration—a longstanding program in the School of Public Health—was integrated into the Division and soon became the MPH program in Health Administration and Policy (MPH-PHAP).
2005-present: Division of Health Policy and Management
With the arrival of the Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) and ISP Programs in 2005, the division changed its name to reflect the diverse mix of faculty, research and teaching programs. In 2008, the Executive Master of Healthcare Administration and Executive Studies (EMHA) distance online programs replaced the ISP Program and five years later, in 2013, the MPH-PHAP program expanded its offerings and launched the Executive Public Health Administration & Policy (E-PHAP) distance online MPH program.
Today the Division is characterized by innovative research, diversified and global education programs, noted research centers, and partnerships with nationally recognized research organizations.
Research Centers and Outreach
Since 1992, the Division has housed several research centers that promote research, education and the implementation of programs. Since 1995 the Division has sponsored the Minnesota Health Services Research Conference, which brings together Minnesota’s health services research community for a scholarly presentations and discussions. Presently the Division is engaged in collaborative research initiatives with Medica Research Institute, State Joint Powers Agreement, Mayo Clinic, National Opinion Research Center and the University of Minnesota Medical School.
View a timeline of the Division of Health Policy and Management
