Health Education CenterFive-Year Strategic Plan 2023-2027

Introduction

The Health Education Center (HEC) is designed and equipped to provide technologically advanced training necessary for future and current scientists and healthcare professionals. Additionally, the Center's design supports interprofessional education training, where students from each of the University of Texas Medical Branch's (UTMB) five schools learn from and with one another in a collaborative environment.

The $90.4 million building was funded by both Tuition Revenue Bonds approved by the Texas Legislature and generous philanthropic support of $22.6 million. The HEC features:

  • Over 160,000 square feet of space across five floors.
  • A State-of-the-art interprofessional simulation center with a standardized patient suite and flexible simulation labs, enabling students to practice a wide range of skills in a low-risk, high-realism environment.
  • Simulation debriefing rooms where students meet with faculty to assess performance and outline strategies for improvement.
  • Collaborative instructional spaces to accommodate UTMB's interprofessional education and practice (IPEP) core curricular activities.


Timeline

2008 - HEC Preliminary Design Process Initiated
HEC East Side of Building
2013 - Needs Assessment for Education Space Released
HEC Assessment Lab
2014 - HEC Plan Presented to UT System Board of Regents
HEC NE Entrance
2015 - HB100 (TRB Bill) Filed and Signed into Law
HEC Stairwell

 


2016 - UT System Board of Regents Approves HEC Construction
HEC Construction
2019 - HEC Grand Opening
HEC Entrance
2021 - Office of Life Support Education and Training joins the HEC
OLSET
2022 - UTMB IPEP Core Curriculum Developed and Implemented
HEC Lobby

 


Mission

Advancing the field through simulation, education, and collaboration.

Vision

To champion the future of interprofessional health and science education that prepares leaders to advance global best care.

Values

  • Compassion
  • Integrity
  • Respect
  • Diversity
  • Lifelong Learning

T.E.A.M.S. INITIATIVE

Team–Based Care & Interprofessional Education: One of the challenges surrounding healthcare education is anticipating the future demands of a discipline, provider modes of interaction, and educational expectations. The HEC’s core efforts are based upon the realization that multiple disciplines must work together to enhance patient care and advance future medical innovations. We are committed to coordinating efforts across the UTMB enterprise to ensure learners are equipped with the skills to face the challenges of tomorrow.

Goal: Cultivate a revolutionary approach to interprofessional education, research, and training that will transform healthcare and well-being for all.

Engagement with Stakeholders: Campus and community engagement involves a dynamic process that enhances communication, involvement, and exchanges between an organization and its stakeholders for a range of beneficial outcomes. Engagement efforts present opportunities to disseminate relevant educational contributions and develop a sense of identity. We are committed to providing access to research, learning, social, and cultural experiences for the UTMB campus and surrounding community.

Goal: Serve and engage UTMB and surrounding communities (local, regional, state, national, global) to enhance the social, economic, and cultural well-being of those we serve.

Advanced Simulation–Based Education: Simulation trainings are used as a tool to educate and train students about the skills needed in real-world practice. It provides a real-life, point-of-care learning experience and has been widely applied in fields such as aviation, the military, and healthcare. We are committed to providing access and opportunities for students and healthcare providers to train and develop skills in an innovative simulation setting to improve education, processes, and health outcomes.

Goal: Provide an optimal simulation environment that is structured, strategic, and incorporates care in community-based and primary care settings.

Modern Technology & Innovation: From advances in virtual reality to surgical robotics, technological innovations continue to provide healthcare providers with the tools needed to improve the quality of patient care and enhance the healthcare industry. A high performing technology platform is essential to fulfill core mission priorities. We are committed to providing an innovative environment that enables faculty, staff and students to develop the skills needed to meet the demands of the future.

Goal: Foster an environment that utilizes emerging technologies to enrich the learner experience and provide a platform for innovative research and discovery.

Sustainability: Successful sustainability pursues balanced, ethical solutions that are economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially just so that current and future generations may thrive. Recognizing that discovery and innovation drives breakthroughs in research and health care, we must focus our investments, efforts and resources to ensure long-term sustainability. We are committed to providing support for the HEC through robust development and revenue-generating strategies.

Goal: Steward financial resources to support stability, sustainability and growth of the HEC building, program goals, and educational outcomes.


Major Aims

  • Interprofessional Education is when students from two or more professions learn about, from, and with each other to enable effective collaboration and improve health (WHO, 2010).
  • Simulation–based Education involves an educational technique that replaces or amplifies real experiences with guided experiences that evoke or replicate substantial aspects of the real world in a fully interactive manner (Gaba, 2004).
  • Research and Technology Development refers to the activities that organizations undertake to innovate and introduce new products and services.
  • Community Engagement is a strategic process to engage community to achieve long-term and sustainable outcomes.

Metrics and Key Performance Indicators

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), as defined, are measures that an organization uses to define success and track progress. KPIs provide “signposts” that signal progress toward goals and objectives, as well as opportunities for improvement. To track our progress and ensure we are achieving our goals, we will measure:

  • Student outcomes and achievement scores
  • Faculty, staff and student satisfaction rates
  • Education and research collaborations
  • Local and global collaborations
  • Utilization and participation rates
  • Fundraising and revenue generation


HEC Stakeholders

References

Gaba D. M. (2004). The future vision of simulation in health care. BMJ Quality & Safety in Health Care13 Suppl 1(Suppl 1), i2–i10. https://doi.org/10.1136/qhc.13.suppl_1.i2

WHO. (2015). Framework for action on interprofessional education and collaborative practice. World Health  Organizationhttps://www.who.int/publications/i/item/framework-for-action-on-interprofessional-education-collaborative-practice