TMC/UMKC RECEIVE NATIONAL DESIGNATION AS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN WOMEN'S HEALTH
Truman Medical Centers and the UMKC School of Medicine have received the prestigious designation as a National Center of Excellence in Women's Health from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), becoming the only Center in a four-state region and one of only 21 such Centers nationwide.
"TMC has a long history of providing quality, seamless health care services for women throughout their lifespan," noted John W. Bluford, TMC's Chief Executive Officer. "Approximately 20,000 women are seen annually at TMC. We're very excited about this designation and the opportunities it will provide for TMC and UMKC in the future," he added.
In making the multi-year, $600,000 grant award, DHHS cited the quality health care services TMC provides to women in our community, UMKC's commitment to women's leadership in academic medicine and emerging research opportunities in women's health. Other designated National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health include universities such as Harvard, Tulane and UCLA.
The National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health serve as demonstration models with a mission to improve the status of diverse women across their life spans, and to create dynamic, multi-disciplinary, academic health care systems focused on women's health - more or less a "one stop shopping" model for female health care. The Center allows women to get regular gynecologic exams focusing on preventive health, obstetrical care and appropriate referrals, all in a single visit within the same facility.
The new designation comes just before the arrival of Fran Jaeger, MA, Dr.PH, to the newly created position of TMC's Director of the Women's Health Center of Excellence Program on November 1. "We're looking forward to Fran's talent and expertise in helping to integrate the wealth of existing women's health services we have into the leading women's program in Kansas City," said Cathy Disch, Chief Operating Officer for Hospital Hill.
"I'm very impressed with the priority TMC has placed on women's health," observed Jaeger, "and I look forward to my new role in helping to provide an integrated, collaborative approach between TMC, UMKC, and the community." Jaeger leaves her post as a Program Officer overseeing women's health programs in Central Asia and Eastern Europe with the American International Health Alliance, to join TMC.
In addition to assisting with developing a strategic plan for women's services, Jaeger will also help facilitate collaborative program development within TMC, the community and UMKC. She will also serve as the liaison between existing clinical and research teams supporting women's health services and activities.
According to John Bluford, "The breadth of Fran's expertise and experience in the field of women's health, both within the U.S. and internationally, make her a valuable asset to TMC. She exemplifies our strong support and commitment to providing the best quality medical care available for women throughout our community."
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