Working Together
University of Missouri Health Care System leaders: Harold Williamson, Jr., Judith Fitzgerald Miller, Richard Oliver, James Ross, Robert Churchill and Hung Winn
He appointed Harold Williamson Jr., MD, MSPH, a School of Medicine faculty and Family and Community Medicine Chair to oversee the group. In his new role as vice chancellor of the health care system, he reports to MU Chancellor Brady Deaton.
"My role is really two parts," Williamson said. "First, I'm helping the president and chancellor create the job, understanding what it needs to be. Secondly, doing the job involves ensuring the coordination of activities across the three schools, between the physicians and the hospital system."
By creating a health system, there is an acknowledgement that learning, research and patient care are intertwined.
For example, faculty members at the Sinclair School of Nursing instruct students at clinics or hospitals in the health system and physicians who are members of University Physicians are also faculty members in the School of Medicine.
Researchers at all three schools also play an integral role in scientific discoveries that can ultimately bring better clinical care to the bedside.
"Teaching collaboration makes perfect sense," Williamson said. "When I practice as a physician, I work with lots of different professionals - nurses, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists and others - and the patient is at the center.
"Right now when we're teaching students, they learn in their different units. We expect them to be able to put that all together when they start taking care of patients. I think the faculty, and certainly the deans of the schools, are excited about the possibilities."
Williamson and the health system leaders are routinely meeting to discuss concerns and opportunities to work together in strategic planning.
Read the entire article and more about team leaders