RUPRI policy leader contributes to rural health transformation listening session

Jocelyn Richgels, director of national policy programs for the University of Iowa-based Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI), was one of a small number of rural health advocates, researchers, and providers at a recent Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services listening session on rural health transformation. The meeting took place on Dec. 3, 2018, at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services headquarters in Washington, D.C. Published December 5, 2018

UI report on elder abuse in Iowa highlighted in editorial

A recent editorial draws attention to a new report on elder abuse compiled by University of Iowa researchers for the U.S. Department of Justice. The report notes that prosecution of elder abuse is a relatively rare occurrence. CPH associate professor Brian Kaskie is a co-author of the report. (Des Moines Register) Published December 5, 2018

Study finds rural tele-ERs save money, improve physician recruitment

A new study from the University of Iowa finds rural hospitals that use telemedicine to back up their emergency room health care providers not only save money but also find it easier to recruit new physicians. Marcia Ward, study author and professor of health management and policy in the UI College of Public Health, says the results suggest that expanded use of tele-emergency services could play a key role in helping small, rural critical access hospitals maintain their emergency rooms. (Multiple sources) Published December 5, 2018

Mueller discusses rural health care and the economy

Keith Mueller, director of the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis, recently participated in a conversation centered on the rural economy and its dependency on health care workers, how critical health care delivery is to the rural economy, some of the headwinds faced by changing payment systems, and more. (Insight on Business) Published November 28, 2018

Colleges collaborate on business education for pharmacy students

The UI College of Pharmacy has partnered with the Office of Health Care Leadership Education on a program that teaches pharmacy students business skills. A collaboration among the Tippie College of Business, the Carver College of Medicine, and the College of Public Health provides business-leadership education for the College of Pharmacy in the form of six courses taken over a period of three semesters. (Daily Iowan) Published November 16, 2018

USPSTF issues recommendation on screening for unhealthy alcohol use

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that primary care clinicians screen all adults for unhealthy alcohol use. However, there "isn't enough evidence to know if screening and providing counseling to adolescents in primary care settings helps address alcohol use," adds task force chair Sue Curry, UI distinguished professor of health management and policy, noting that more research is needed. (USPSTF Bulletin) Published November 13, 2018

MHA students win case competition

Congratulations to the team of first-year MHA students who earned first place at the 2018 University of Kansas Case Competition, First-year Track. The team members were Coleman Heaney, Alex Smolik, Benjamin Meyer, and Mary Kate Titus. Published November 7, 2018

Teaching business to future pharmacists

The need is greater than ever for pharmacists to possess basic business skills. That's why the UI College of Pharmacy has partnered with the UI's Office of Healthcare Leadership Education to offer a series of courses in business and leadership to pharmacy students, including some courses taught by CPH faculty. (Iowa Now) Published November 7, 2018

Iowa entrepreneurs pursue startup success

CPH alumnus Nico Aguilar (14MHA/MPH), along with current CPH student Anthony Pham (19MPH, 16MD, 11BS), are co-founders of Speeko, a startup company dedicated to improving people's communication skills. Their entrepreneurial journey began years ago when they met in class as undergraduates at the UI. Published November 6, 2018

Quality & Safety Symposium call for abstracts

The Quality & Safety Symposium has extended the deadline for poster abstract submissions to Nov. 9. Share your innovations in quality improvement, patient safety, education, and research. Works in progress are welcome! The symposium poster session takes place Nov. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the MERF atrium.  Published November 1, 2018