U of U Faculty Featured in Vizient Health Equity Compendium
Two esteemed faculty members from the University of Utah's Division of Epidemiology, Professor Gerald (Jerry) Cochran, MSW, PhD, and Associate Professor Megan Vanneman, PhD, MPH, have been recognized for their significant contributions to advancing health equity. Their collaborative work with the quality team at the University of Utah's main hospital has been highlighted in the latest Vizient Health Equity Strategies Compendium. This work could not have been done without the support and hard work of the hospital’s team: Sandi Gulbransen, MS, Mari Ransco, MA, RyLee Curtis, MPP, Kimberly Killam, PMP, and Terrell Rohm, MBA.
The compendium, a valuable resource for healthcare organizations striving to improve health outcomes and promote equity, features a comprehensive overview of best practices and strategies. In particular, the patient section of the compendium showcases the results of Dr. Cochran and Dr. Vanneman's evaluative work on expanding the race and ethnicity categories within Epic, the hospital's electronic health record system. This expansion is crucial to ensuring more accurate data collection, supporting better-informed clinical decisions, and fostering equity in patient care.
Dr. Megan Vanneman, an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine's Division of Epidemiology and the Department of Population Health Sciences' Division of Health System Innovation and Research, has dedicated her career to health services research. With a focus on health policy, economics, and organizational behavior, Dr. Vanneman's research primarily examines the impact of policy changes on large healthcare and payer systems, including Medicaid and the Veterans Health Administration. Her current studies explore the effects of patients using multiple healthcare systems on their access to care, quality of care, and costs.
Dr. Gerald (Jerry) Cochran, a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine's Division of Epidemiology and the Director of Research for the Program on Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy, brings a wealth of experience in behavioral health services research. His work focuses on identifying and improving care for underserved populations, particularly those who misuse drugs and alcohol. Dr. Cochran's research enhances substance use prevention and treatment services within healthcare settings.
The inclusion of their work in the Vizient Health Equity Strategies Compendium underscores the importance of their contributions to advancing health equity and improving patient outcomes. The compendium serves as a testament to the impact of their research and its relevance to healthcare organizations nationwide.
We congratulate Dr. Cochran and Dr. Vanneman on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to their continued contributions to epidemiology and health services research. Together, they lead the Epidemiology section and Internal Medicine workgroup on Health Equity Research.
For more information, you can view the complete compendium here.
