The University of California Center for Health Quality and Innovation announced it is accepting applications for the 2013 UC Health CHQI Fellowship.
The fellowship is a yearlong program with two purposes. The first is to provide support on a project that will adopt cost-saving innovations in care delivery that also will improve the quality of care delivered by UC Health. The second is to provide mentorship and leadership development for mid- to senior-level UC Health staff and faculty.
Any staff or faculty employed by a UC medical center, clinic or health professional school may apply; however, the majority of the activities to take place must be located at a UC-owned and -operated medical center. Completed proposals must be received by 5 p.m. Oct. 31. They must be submitted electronically to the chief medical officer of the campus on which the applicant works, with a copy to CHQI Executive Director Terry Leach at terry.leach@ucop.edu.
The fellows' institution will receive a $50,000 award that will support a portion of the salary and benefits associated with their time spent on their project. It is anticipated that about 10 fellowships will be awarded, with announcements by early January. After an initial review at each medical center, decisions will be made by the CHQI Operations Committee.
Two priority areas for this fellowship are preparing for the 2014 rollout of health care reform and having a focus on ongoing efficiency and return on investment. Projects may relate to a variety of areas, with suggested topics including appropriate use of services; workforce challenges; technology; coordination of care; reduction of inappropriate or low-value interventions; maximizing resources; use of pharmacy, laboratory, imaging or other ancillary services; and re-engineering of administrative services.
UC launched the Center for Health Quality and Innovation in October 2010 to promote and advance innovations in clinical care that will improve patient outcomes and quality of care within the UC system and beyond. In July 2011, the center awarded its first round of grants -- nine grants totaling $3.4 million to UC faculty and staff to improve patient care throughout California. In December 2011, the center awarded its first round of fellowships.
For more information:
-Download the RFP (PDF)
-Contact: Dora Mairena, assistant to CHQI Executive Director Terry Leach, (510) 987-9155, dora.mairena@ucop.edu