Teaching, Healing, Researching: In a World-Class Setting
Jean Robillard, MD, Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Iowa
The people of University of Iowa Health Care are constantly engaged in exciting projects to advance our missions of world class patient care, biomedical discovery, and medical education.
This edition of our series of “Quarterly Reports” features the many ways we serve the people of Iowa. As Iowa’s only comprehensive academic medical center, University of Iowa Health Care goes beyond its Iowa City campus to fulfill its missions in patient care, research, and teaching—bringing medical specialists, clinical trials, and educational opportunities to communities throughout Iowa.
In addition to assuring Iowans throughout Iowa have access to world class specialists, we are investing in new clinical facilities in Johnson County, including a new outpatient clinic building just off Interstate 80 in Coralville.
Due to open in the fall of 2012, UI Health Care—Iowa River Landing will provide increased access to patients for primary and specialty care. General Pediatric and Internal Medicine physicians will see patients in the five story building, along with colleagues in many specialties including ophthalmology, urology, otolaryngology and women’s wellness.
On the Iowa City campus we have begun work on the new UI Children’s Hospital. Set for completion in early 2016, it is being designed as a very special healing environment for children and their families and will serve as the heart of a comprehensive statewide system of care in partnership with local and community physicians and organizations.
Physically, the new facility will be built south of—and remain connected to—UI Hospitals and Clinics. With three levels below ground, and eight levels above, the new Children’s Hospital will feature both new construction and renovated space.
While we are very excited about the opportunities for improved access and services the new hospital will offer, we realize that construction will cause inconveniences for our patients, visitors, and staff. We are doing our utmost to minimize these issues and are confident that it will all be worthwhile when the new children’s hospital opens.
Another exciting project under construction is The John and Mary Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building, which will be dedicated to fostering breakthrough research at The University of Iowa. It is being built on the UI Health Care campus, but will serve as a hub for collaborative research across the entire University and be home to, among other things, The Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center. Completion of the building is scheduled for 2014.
In all that we do, we rely on support to fulfill our missions of excellence in clinical care, research, and education. This includes philanthropy, which accounts for a significant portion of our funding and is a vital pillar in our ability to grow and develop. We have launched our $500 million comprehensive fundraising effort—Iowa First: Our Campaign for Breakthrough Medicine. With a focus on transforming the future of health care, the campaign will enhance our capacity for life-changing progress and discoveries.
In addition to these major developments in our facilities, these Web pages highlight many wonderful advances in clinical care, education, and research—advances that are occurring here every day, thanks to the efforts of thousands of talented people.
As we move forward, please know that we are all dedicated to excellence in everything we do—and that we are committed to creating a brighter, healthier future for the people of Iowa, our nation, and the world.