Malvern, Pa.-based Siemens Healthineers and University of Iowa (UI) Health Care have established a 10-year value partnership that builds on a long-standing relationship and will help advance care in Iowa over the next decade. The partnership will provide Iowans with access to cutting-edge imaging technology; use artificial intelligence and data analytics to improve performance and efficiency; expand research opportunities; and invest in workforce training and development for staff and students.
“Medical technology is changing fast says,” Colin Derdeyn, MD, FACR, Krabbenhoft Professor and Chair, Department of Radiology and Director, Iowa Institute of Biomedical Imaging at UI Health Care. “Take imaging scanners, for example. They are like cars—the engineering and technology gets better every year, and every now and then something radical and new comes alone,” Derdeyn adds. “Partnering with Siemens Healthineers will help us stay on the forefront of these advances that will span across the entire enterprise, benefiting faculty from Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, neurosciences, orthopedics, cardiology, and the College of Engineering.”
This new relationship between Siemens Healthineers and UI Health Care will enhance the college’s education and training program to help grow and retain technical and professional best-in-class talent in the state. The University of Iowa Bachelors program is the major pipeline for radiology technologists and sonographers working at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics and throughout the state.
“This program attracts some of the brightest students at the University of Iowa, some of whom come to the University just for this program,” says Derdeyn. “Investing in this program through strategic partnerships such as this one is an investment in the quality of Iowa’s healthcare and future workforce.”
By implementing workforce solutions such as the Siemens Technologist Education Program, the PEPconnections digital learning platform, and a Healthcare Workforce Development Series, UI Health Care staff and students will have an improved ability to continually develop advanced skillsets that will enhance patient care for Iowans.
A key element of the agreement is innovation improvements for UIHC to stay at the forefront of a changing technology landscape. Specifically, the two institutions will continue their joint emphasis on improving stroke care in the state of Iowa. The organizations will also focus on improving operational processes by implementing innovative technologies such as Corindus CorPath GRX for robotic-assisted vascular interventions, and syngo Virtual Cockpit for remote scanning assistance.
