We are completing the fourth year of our five-year agreement that created the University of Minnesota Health (M Health) partnership among the University, University of Minnesota Physicians and Fairview Health Services. We have made significant progress under M Health. As a result of our collaboration, we are serving more patients, providing higher quality care, and M Health is now widely recognized in the marketplace. This partnership has moved our clinical practice and the health science schools forward, but there is much more to accomplish.

All parties agree that our partnership can and must be enhanced to reach our goals. According to the agreement, unless any party gives notice one year in advance, the agreement continues in its original form for five additional years. We have worked with the Board of Regents and Fairview to take this procedural step that will allow us to elevate our partnership. As a result, today the Board of Regents voted on a resolution to non-renew the current M Health agreement.

The University, University of Minnesota Physicians, Fairview and the Board of Regents will now work together to negotiate a new and improved M Health agreement that prioritizes patient experience and the academic mission. We have set a deadline of September 30, 2017, to complete a new master agreement. The key improvements we believe are critical to our shared success include:

  • Additional academic support for the Medical School
  • Improved facilities
  • Outstanding clinical programs that leverage physicians and faculty from all of the AHC schools working across specialty boundaries
  • A simplified relationship, in particular for the hundreds of contracts between the parties
  • Strong physician leadership
  • Expanded training and research across the system
  • Shared strategic planning, goals, and recruitments

We will also be working to build efficiencies internally, aligning our resources and strategic goals, and looking for additional opportunities to leverage our impact. Our recent discussions with Fairview leadership have been very positive and productive. We are confident we have a shared vision for our future.

We will continue to communicate developments and look forward to a continued and successful M Health partnership. 

Sincerely,

Brooks Jackson, M.D., M.B.A.
Dean of the Medical School, Vice President for Health Sciences

Bobbi Daniels, M.D.
Vice Dean of the Medical School, CEO of UMPhysicians, Co-President of M Health