UT Health Sciences and UnitedHealth Group partnered to expand a neighborhood health hub model to improve health and wellness in medically underserved areas.
“By expanding our health hub network and strengthening pathways into the health professions, we are bringing preventive care, health education and support services closer to where people live,” Chancellor Peter Buckley says.
UnitedHealth Group committed $4 million to grow the network from five to 13 neighborhood hubs by the end of 2027. The expansion increases access to preventive care, health education and workforce development programs in communities with significant healthcare needs.
Health hubs provide free health screenings and resources to help people manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. More than 4,000 clients have been served since the first health hub opened in 2021.
UT Health Sciences Joins National Nutrition Education Initiative
The UT Health Sciences joined the University of Arkansas, University of Memphis and University of Mississippi to launch the Mid-South AI Research Consortium. The four Carnegie R1 top-tier research institutions will pool high-performance computing resources and research expertise across five focus areas: rural and precision health, supply chain and logistics, energy and data centers, agriculture and food security, and national defense.
“The Mid-South has always had the talent and domain expertise to lead in applied innovation,” says UT Health Sciences Vice Chancellor for Research Jessica Snowden. “This is how we translate regional assets into national leadership.”
Pharmacy Study Leads to Expanded Access to Diabetes Care
The UT Health Sciences College of Pharmacy’s Community-Based Residency Program, in collaboration with Kroger Health, has developed a successful model for expanding access to A1C testing in community pharmacies.
A1C testing is a key tool for screening, diagnosing and monitoring diabetes, and the project aims to make the service more consistent and accessible in community pharmacy settings. A pilot study completed in May found integrating standardized A1C testing in community pharmacy workflows improved access to screening while increasing patient engagement and satisfaction.
New Leader Focuses on Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice
UT Health Sciences named Dr. Anja Dabelić the inaugural assistant vice chancellor of interprofessional education and collaborative practice. In this new role, she leads initiatives that advance interprofessional education, collaborative practice, academic–clinical partnerships and workforce development across the university.
Dabelić coordinates interprofessional education across academic programs and is establishing a Center for Interprofessional Education. She also is working closely with the Office of Strategic Partnerships to strengthen clinical placement opportunities to support the university’s clinical partners and help address healthcare workforce needs across Tennessee.
