Proposal for the Institute of Health Sciences and Technology At Rochester Institute for Technology DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT 10 October 2010; version 1.3 Abstract: This paper proposes the creation of an Institute of Health Sciences and Technology at RIT and is the result of a strategic planning process from the RGH-RIT Alliance. The paper is divided into two parts the first part presents the intellectual merit, need, and case of the Institute while the second part presents the Charter for the Institute, which will provide the governance structure, academic direction, and the business model. Contents: This paper is organized into two parts as follows: Part I: The merit, need and case for the Institute Part II: The Charter for the Institute A. Statement of mission, goals, and general purpose of the Institute a. Mission statement b. Vision statement c. Goals, objectives, and key metrics B. Statement of congruence with campus and unit mission C. Description of University capability for implementing the unit D. Institute Structure a. College of Health sciences and Technology b. Health sciences Research Center c. Health sciences Outreach Center d. Administration e. Faculty f. Governance g. Space h. Institute Advisory Board E. Intellectual property, resource and funding agreements F. Institute Start G. Business plan and budget information H. Resources requested from the campus to establish the Institute of Health sciences Institute of Health Sciences and Technology Page 1 of 13
Part I: The origins, merit, and need for the Institute The basis for the Institute of Health Sciences and Technology lies in national, state, and local trends in health care workforce historical and projected growth. The United States faces a looming shortage of many types of health-care professionals, including nurses, physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and allied health workers. The growth of the American population and the aging of the baby-boomer generation will continue to increase the demand for health-care services and providers. Advances in fields like genetics and information technology will create additional workforce requirements for more and different kinds of practitioners and technicians, such as robotic-surgery operators or new types of radiology technologists. (For the Health-Care Work Force, a Critical Prognosis, the Chronicle of Higher Education, November 2, 2007.) In 2006, there were more than 17.5 million jobs in healthcare and health related occupations across the United States, accounting for 11.7% of the United States workforce. (The Health Care Workforce in New York, 2007: Trends in the Supply and Demand for Health Workers.) According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), approximately 20% of all jobs created between 2006 and 2016 will be in the health care sector in the U.S. Jobs in the health care sector are projected to grow twice as fast as all other job sectors between 2006 and 2016. Health care employment is projected to grow by over 23% between 2006 and 2016 while non-health care employment is projected to grow at only a rate of 9.2%. In order to evaluate regional trends within the Rochester market, secondary workforce trend data was grouped and analyzed by Department of Labor Regions within the state of New York. The Finger Lakes Region, of which Rochester is part, includes Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates County. Between 2002 and 2007, health sector employment grew by 9.7% in the Finger Lakes Region. Also during this time, hospital employment grew by 2,227 jobs according to New York State Department of Labor data. Average annual job openings in the health care sector in the Finger Lake Region are projected to be about 9,440 per year. Workforce projection data reports by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the New York State Department of labor, and the Center for Health Workforce Studies at the School of Public health University of Albany provide compelling evidence that there is strong market demand for an Institute of Health Sciences in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. Within the past 18 months, Rochester General Health Systems (RGHS) and the Rochester Institute for Technology (RIT) have partnered and formed an alliance (hereafter, the Alliance) to leverage the strengths of these two organizations in education, clinical training, research, and experiential learning. In strategic planning for the future, the Alliance strongly recommends that the Alliance pursue the development of an Institute of Institute of Health Sciences and Technology Page 2 of 13
Health Sciences and Technology. The goal of this Institute will be to support educational programs, promote research, and facilitate community collaboration focused on wellness initiatives. The future of health care has been and continues to be discussed by experts across the country, especially now, in light of the approval and rollout of President Obama s healthcare legislation. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the nation s medical schools and teaching hospitals stand at the crossroads of challenge and opportunity. With the Institute of Health Sciences and Technology, the RIT and RGHS Alliance will provide the academic and clinical environment for addressing issues critical to the future of healthcare. Institute of Health Sciences and Technology Page 3 of 13
Part II: Charter for the Institute of Health Sciences and Technology A. Statement of mission, goals, and general purpose of the Institute The Institute of Health sciences and Technology (IHS&T) will be an academic unit administratively housed at RIT and hosting educational, research and outreach programs in the domain of health science and in support of innovative healthcare advances. Arising from the RIT-Rochester General Health System (RGHS) alliance formed in 2008, the IHS&T captures the strategic partnership between these organizations through educational programming, research, and community outreach. As a result, the role that Rochester General Health System plays as a founding external partner is paramount. The IHS&T will incorporate three major thrusts: Education programs to facilitate and support cross-disciplinary learning experiences designed to develop the health care worker of the future. These programs will be housed in the College of Health Sciences and Technology, an organizational subunit of the IHS. Research programs to link RIT expertise in biotechnology, bioengineering, biomedical sciences, imaging science, social science, and computing and information science with RGHS and in particular the RGHS Research Institute for Infectious Disease and Immunology, Cancer, Cancer Vaccines, and Blood Disorders, and Cardiovascular Disease to pursue vital clinical and translational research. Community collaboration and outreach programs to facilitate and link RIT and RGHS initiatives to foster a healthy community through regional workforce training programs and through development and support of other communitywide wellness initiatives. 1. Mission statement: The Institute of Health Sciences and Technology will prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals by providing innovative educational and clinical learning experiences, with a strong background in translational research and discovery and the application of evidence-based practices in community health. We will do this through leveraging the collective resources of RIT and RGHS to: Conduct breakthrough translational healthcare research consistent with RIT s long history of productivity in and dedication to applied research Invent unique healthcare technology Deliver world class healthcare education Redefine healthcare quality processes 2. Vision statement: The Institute of Health Sciences and Technology will be recognized as a national resource and model for the education of healthcare professionals who are uniquely prepared to transform the quality, safety, and affordability of patientcentered healthcare delivery. Institute of Health Sciences and Technology Page 4 of 13
3. Goals, objectives and key metrics: The Institute of Health Sciences and Technology will fundamentally advance the mission/vision and goals of the RIT-RGHS Alliance in achieving the following goals: (a) Goal I: Make a material contribution to the development of a new, innovative, applied healthcare workforce for the Rochester region, the State of New York, and the nation. Objective: Develop, implement and deliver a wide range of applied health care oriented academic degree programs that will graduate workers who will apply new technologies and methodologies that will improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare in the U.S. Key metrics for success: i) New students attracted to the region and increased enrollment, further contributing to our national reputation as leaders in higher education and innovation. ii) Increased number of graduates who work in the healthcare field. iii) New career fields developed to usher in a new era of healthcare. iv) Growth of health-care related academic programs v) Innovative healthcare education and clinical learning experiences with a foundation in research and health systems engineering will better prepare graduates to contribute to redefining healthcare delivery; and vi) Maximized recruiting power of Alliance members when hiring physicians and faculty through the ability to participate in clinical research and teaching; (b) Goal II: Through applied, translational research, scholarship, and innovation, advance the discovery, development, and dissemination of new methodologies, treatments, technologies and other innovations that will improve the quality of healthcare delivered in the United States while reducing the delivery costs. Objective: The development of a Health Sciences and Technology Institute will directly and indirectly lead to new knowledge in the healthcare field, improvements in healthcare service delivery, patient safety, and satisfaction, and the health status of the local population. Key metrics for success: i) Externally supported grants submitted and awarded; ii) New patents, new licenses of intellectual property, and new businesses developed; iii) Scholarly papers and books published and invited talks presented; iv) Enhanced efficiency of medical staff, improved patient tracking and flow, enhanced patient satisfaction, safety, and quality of care, increased real time capability of hospital; v) Maximized recruiting power of Alliance members when hiring physicians and faculty through the ability to participate in clinical research and teaching; Institute of Health Sciences and Technology Page 5 of 13
vi) Notoriety for advancing utilization of technology advances in a cost-effective manner that may lead to attracting clinical, academic and industrial professionals to the area; and vii) Cost reductions in the healthcare delivery. (c) Goal III: Demonstrably improve the health and the health care delivery within the Western Upstate New York Region through community outreach programs. Objective: The educational and outreach programs developed through the IHS&T will foster community health through regional workforce training programs and by developing and supporting community-wide health and wellness initiatives. Key metrics for success: i) Community member/patient access to novel and unique care modalities; ii) Unique health and healthcare related training and personal development opportunities; iii) Ability to participate in studies that may have direct impact on the improved delivery of healthcare within the community B. Statement of congruence with campus and unit mission The Institute of Health Sciences and Technology directly supports the missions of the Rochester Institute for Technology and Rochester General Health Systems in enhancing the range of career-oriented programs in the field of health science, expanding the research and innovation capacity through the allied research and development, and growing the institutions impact through the development of innovative technologies that improve the health and welfare of the community, state, and society. The Institute of Health Sciences and Technology also contributes directly to RIT s efforts to expand high quality graduate and undergraduate education by providing research opportunities and funding for students involved in IHS&T research. Further, the Institute serves as a leading example of the strategic initiatives that the campus is using to accelerate its development and to serve the community. C. Description of the university capability for implementing the unit While the success of the Institute of Health Sciences and Technology depends primarily on the educational, research, and outreach leadership and funding managed by the IHS&T s personnel and budget, RIT and RGHS have many capabilities that will be important in supporting the initial and ongoing operation of the Institute. The Institute will in turn contribute to stronger academic programs, increased faculty resources, added Institute of Health Sciences and Technology Page 6 of 13
research capacity, improved quantity and capability of laboratories, and enhanced campus infrastructure. The Institute of Health Sciences and Technology will build on faculty strengths in science, social science, applied science and technology, imaging arts and sciences, engineering, business, and computing at RIT and RGHS and will collaborate with other academic and research institutions, and corporations nationally and internationally. The Institute of Health Sciences and Technology will have access to support from the campus infrastructure that provides administrative, legal, and fiscal support for sponsored programs and technology transfer, as well as the Wallace Center, Information Technology services, and other facilities supporting educational and research activities. D. Institute structure The Institute of Health Sciences and Technology will serve as an independent academic and research unit within the division of Academic Affairs at RIT in order to provide a focused, interdisciplinary and systems approach to innovative health care education, applied/translational research, and community outreach. The IHS&T will incorporate three major thrusts: A College of Health Sciences and Technology, a Health Sciences Research Center and a Health Sciences Community Collaboration and Outreach Center. Institute of Health Sciences and Technology Page 7 of 13
The organization of the Institute of Health Sciences and Technology RIT VP for Institute and Dean for School College of Health Sciences and Technology Health Sciences Research Center Health Sciences Outreach Center While the Institute of Health Sciences and Technology will function within the division of Academic Affairs, the central role that the IHS&T plays with the RIT-RGHS alliance requires that the RIT President and the RGHS CEO be significantly engaged with its strategic direction. In particular, an advisory board, co-chaired by the RIT President and RGHS CEO, will guide the IHS&T. The IHS&T will work in a collaborative fashion across the Institute but will be overseen by a Vice President who will also serve as the Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Technology. For the purposes of annual evaluation, the Vice President of IHS&T will report to the Provost. The IHS&T Vice President will be responsible for overall coordination of IHS&T operations, including management of the Institute s budget, consistent with university and campus policies and the provisions of this Charter. The Vice President will also serve on the RIT Administrative Council and the RIT Council of Deans. The Institute s initial structure will include: (1) College of Health Sciences and Technology (CHST): The CHST will house all the educational programs for the Institute of Health Sciences and Technology. Personnel for the CHST will include tenured, tenure-track, non-tenure track faculty, and both Institute of Health Sciences and Technology Page 8 of 13
exempt and non-exempt staff as defined by RIT policy. A College Dean will administer the College who will also serve as the Vice President for the Institute. Because certain existing programs will move to the College of Health Sciences and Technology, it is important to clearly define the mission of the College. The proposed mission is as follows: The College of Health Sciences and Technology will be the center for both clinically-related and biomedical research-based innovative, flexible programs to meet both present and future needs of the health care system. As a community of dedicated faculty and staff, it is committed to diversity and student centeredness with the intention to deliver high quality education consistent with the mission of the Institute of Health Sciences and Technology and RIT. Building on a foundation of liberal arts and basic sciences, students will gain advanced knowledge in theoretical science and practical applications in experiential learning environments. These experiences will prepare students to serve humanity as practitioners, scientists, and leaders through their contribution to, and the provision of, high quality patient care, healthcare service, and/or applied, translational biomedical research. Academic programs, existing and proposed, and associated faculty, staff, space/resources, and students that match with the Mission for the SHS will be considered for transfer from their host College into the CHST. University Policy E20.0, Policy on the Discontinuance, Reduction or Transfer of Academic Programs section 3 Transferring a Program From One college to Another will serve as the process to govern program transfer where deemed appropriate. Once a program has been identified to transfer to the CHST, a transition plan will be developed so as to ensure that the transfer is smooth and seamless. Initially, the proposed academic programs that will be connected to or part of the SHS include both existing and new collaborative programs: Existing programs: o Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Echocardiography (COS C/B.S.) o Nutrition/Dietetics (CAST B.S.) o Clinical Chemistry (COS M.S.) o Clinical Research Management (CMS option in M.S.) o Health Systems Administration (CAST M.S.) o Biomedical Sciences (COS B.S.) o Physician Assistant (COS B.S./M.S.) o Medical Illustration (CIAS M.F.A. only) New collaborative programs o Exercise Science/Rehabilitation Science o Medical Imaging (B.S.) o Biomedical Sciences (M.S.) Institute of Health Sciences and Technology Page 9 of 13
o Physician Assistant Post-Graduate Surgical Residency Program Future possible programs o Master s in Public Health (focus on Global Health) o Nursing and/or Nursing Practitioner o Physical Therapy o Occupational Therapy o Surgical Technology/Imaging Technology o Pathologist Assistant o Pharmacology Doctorate (2) Health Sciences Research Center (HSRC): The HSRC will be the locus for research conducted through the IHS&T. Space, laboratories and equipment will be managed through the HSRC. Initially, the Vice President for Health Sciences and Technology will administer the HSRC; however, as the research enterprise grows, a separate director, reporting to the Vice President, will be added. It is expected that the HSRC will include professional staff, which will oversee equipment and labs, as well as research faculty whose primary responsibility will be to conduct research. (3) Health Sciences Outreach Center (HSOC): Health care has become an important and substantial focus of both federal and state workforce development agencies. The Health Sciences Outreach Center will become a regional training center for the development of current and aspiring health care professionals in the community. It will provide a resource for community health initiatives, regional workforce development, retraining and continuing education initiatives. Efforts may also include career exploration and programs for K-12, underserved populations and displaced workers. The Center will partner with the regional workforce investment boards Rochester Works, Finger Lakes Works, and GLOW. The HSOC will house all training and outreach activities for the Institute of Health Sciences. Initially, the Vice President for Health Sciences and Technology will administer the HSOC; however, as the outreach enterprise grows, a separate director, reporting to the Vice President, will be added. It is expected that the HSOC will become a self-funded enterprise. (3) Administration: The Vice President for Health Sciences and Technology, who will also serve as the Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Technology, will administer the IHS&T. A full-time administrative assistant will support the Vice President. For the initial start up phase, the Vice President will also serve as the administrative head for the Health Sciences Research Center and the Health Sciences Outreach Center. However, as these centers grow, it is expected that separate directors will be added to assist with the administration of these enterprises. (4) Faculty/Staff: The Institute of Health Sciences and Technology will support a number of faculty titles and staff positions in order to accommodate the unique nature of Institute of Health Sciences and Technology Page 10 of 13
health science and to leverage the RIT-RGHS Alliance. Policies regarding faculty/staff within the Institute will be in compliance with those of the University Policies and Procedures Manual (specifically, Section E). However, some proposed faculty titles will require policy change at RIT. Specific faculty positions include: a. Tenure-track or tenured positions that reside within the Institute for Health Sciences and Technology are reserved for those faculty members that have both teaching and research responsibilities in support of the academic programs of the IHS&T. The rank classifications are assistant, associate and full professorships. b. Non-tenure-track faculty positions include: i. Lecturer (Senior, Principal): This position primarily supports the educational mission of the Institute. ii. Visiting (Assistant, Associate, Full) Professor: Usually a limited term appointment where individual has a terminal degree and is normally employed by another organization. iii. Research (Assistant, Associate, Full) Professor: The rank of Research faculty may be assigned to individuals who secure the funding necessary to establish, support, and lead research programs that will enhance the education of RIT students. iv. Professor of Practice (requires RIT policy modification): This title is limited to practitioners who may not have the normal credentials but whose experience warrants employment in the Institute. Limited but renewable appointment. v. Clinical (Assistant, Associate, Full) Professor: This title is usually limited to practitioners who are assigned regular or continuing in a clinical setting in institutions with a formal affiliate relationship with the Institute. vi. Adjunct (Assistant, Associate, Full): This title may be assigned to those with significant experience in a field that qualifies them to teach specific course(s). vii. Faculty or Staff Associate (requires RIT policy modification): This title may be assigned to those with significant experience in the field and with responsibilities that are in support of the Institute. Faculty or staff at either RGHS or RIT may be appointed to Faculty or Staff Associate positions for renewable 3-year terms. (5) Governance: Committee structures, educational policies, and policies for faculty and staff will be developed by the faculty, staff and administration of the Institute. (6) Space: The administrative home for the Institute of Health Sciences and Technology will be on the RIT campus. Educational and research programs would physically take place at both RIT and RGHS. When Institute Hall is completed, the Institute of Health Sciences and Technology Page 11 of 13
IHS&T will access the research space dedicated to this building. Finally, the five-year plan for IHS&T includes a new building that will house the IHS&T activities. (7) Institute Advisory Board: The Institute of Health Sciences and Technology Advisory Board shall be formed to provide strategic direction and guidance to the Institute. Because of the importance to the RIT-RGHS alliance, the board will be cochaired by the RIT President and the RGHS CEO. The board membership will be constituted as follows: a. RIT President co-chair, voting; b. RGHS CEO co-chair, voting; c. Vice President for IHS&T ex officio, voting; d. 3 RGHS representatives, appointed to offset 3 year terms, by the CEO of RGHS; e. 1 dean from the RIT Deans Council; f. 1 faculty member appointed by the RIT Academic Senate for a 3 year term; g. 1 student representative appointed by the RIT Student Government; h. 1 staff representative appointed by the RIT Staff Council; i. 2 community members appointed jointly by the President of RIT and the CEO of RGHS. E. Intellectual property, resource and funding agreements The Institute of Health Sciences and Technology will follow RIT policies and RIT-RGHS agreements regarding intellectual property, facilities and administrative revenues, and research incentive distributions. F. Institute Start Full operations of the Institute are expected to begin effective on approval. G. Business plan and budget information The financial model for the Institute of Health Sciences and Technology is based on the normal budgeting practices that have served RIT well over the years. It is anticipated that there are three revenue streams that will offset expenses of the Institute: tuition generated by students enrolled in the IHS&T programs, grants and contracts supporting research and outreach programs, and gifts from donors, foundations and industries. Expenses include salaries of faculty and staff, equipment, tuition discounting, and, ultimately, a new building that will house the Institute. An academic cost model will be created for each new educational program; these models will include student enrollment projections, revenues from tuition, and expenses. For the Institute of Health Sciences and Technology Page 12 of 13
most part, the budget for the Health Sciences Research Center and the Health Sciences Outreach Center will be based on funding acquired through grants and contracts. Some administrative support will be supported by the Institute and this will be reflected in the overall budget model for the Institute of Health Sciences and Technology. In preparing a budget plan for the Institute of Health Sciences and Technology, RIT anticipates funding initial staffing for the office of the vice president, approximately 10-12 new faculty and staff lines to support the academic programs and joint research projects, and staffing in support of the Health Sciences Research Center and the Health Sciences Outreach Center. These expenses are subject to enrollments and projections of available income and emerging priorities from other university initiatives. They will be dispersed incrementally over a four-year timeframe see the table below for an approximate schedule. In addition, the campus also plans to construct a building to house the Institute in the fourth and fifth year. Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Office of VP staffing $394,000 Faculty and staff positions $674,000 $1,050,000 $650,000 (includes start-up packages) Research Center staffing $270,000 Outreach Center staffing $189,000 Academic facility $27,000,000 H. Resources requested from the campus to establish the Institute of Health Sciences and Technology The RIT campus will provide normal general university support, such as human resources, finance, sponsored programs, and safety. The campus will provide adequate facilities to house the Institute and its components and will provide adequate maintenance of those facilities. Approved: Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs date Institute of Health Sciences and Technology Page 13 of 13