The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is not your average nonprofit healthcare system. In fact, it represents the largest non-government employer in the state of Pennsylvania with more than 85,000 employees. Likewise, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center controls more than 40 percent of the healthcare market in Western Pennsylvania. Nevertheless, its recognition as a healthcare leader extends well beyond its immediate region of services.
Over the last several years, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has increasingly disrupted how traditional healthcare services are being provided. New healthcare delivery models and international outreach are some of its innovative healthcare ideas. Others involve advanced technological solutions through collaborative partnerships. Through these pursuits, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center expects to change all of society for the better.
UPMC is Creating Innovative Healthcare Ideas Through Technology
In healthcare today, access to services, rising costs and quality care are major concerns. For the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, a critical approach to address these concerns involves technological solutions.
In this regard, the UPMC has pursued many innovative health ideas. One notable innovation is that of telemedicine services. These services are already in place for emergency, post-operative care, home monitoring, and consultation needs.
However, telemedicine is just one of the many innovative healthcare ideas being utilized. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center partnered with Microsoft to design an artificial intelligence platform for doctors. Specifically, Empower MD is an AI bot that learns while listening to doctor-patient interactions. In addition, the AI bot saves physicians time by populating the electronic health record with data. This scenario leaves more time for physicians to concentrate on patient needs face-to-face.
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center ’s Mission—Translating Science into Practice
One of the notable inefficiencies in healthcare today involves delays and gaps between research and clinical care. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is committed to eliminating this void. Key innovative healthcare ideas in this area involve partnerships with regional and national institutions. From startups to advanced healthcare entities, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is streamlining scientific breakthroughs into clinical care models.
A key example of this is the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s recently unveiled $2 billion building project. This endeavor will either expand or construct three separate hospitals that focus on different research-driven areas of care.
One is dedicated to ophthalmologic research and vision care. Another is focused on cardiac and other advanced organ transplants. And the third is committed to cutting-edge cancer research and treatment. From robotics to coordination with University of Pittsburgh researchers, patients will be receiving evidence-based care much more efficiently.
Innovative Healthcare Ideas – Patient-Focused, Internationally Committed
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is not just revolutionary in its technological and translational science approaches. It is also innovative in the way it perceives its role and responsibilities in a global society. Currently, 40 percent of its executives are women, and 10 percent consists of individuals of color. Likewise, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center actively instills diversity and inclusion values in each of its members.
Undeniably, diversity in leadership has served the organization well—a fact that can be significantly credited to UPMC’s Chief Diversity, Inclusion and Talent Management Officer James E. Taylor, Ph.D. I personally saw his passion and commitment for diversity and inclusion when Bold Busienss Publisher Ed Kopko and I interviewed him at the Diversity MBA 12th Annual National Conference. He spoke to us not only about inclusion and diversity but also the how digital transformation is playing a major role at UPMC.
Certainly, this focus on diversity and inclusion extends further than the confines of the organization. Presently, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is involved in a 10-year partnership with Sicily, Italy. In addition to expanding a UPMC-operated hospital in Palermo, another hospital will be opened soon in Sicily. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center also operates the Biomedical Research and Biotechnology Center there as well. Through these endeavors, innovative healthcare ideas regarding organ transplant services are being distributed.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center — A World Class Leader in Healthcare Innovation
In 2017, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center generated $15.6 billion in revenues. If it were not a nonprofit, it would rank within the top 200 firms in the Fortune 500.
But it’s not the revenue totals that matter most for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. It’s how these resources can be best leveraged to achieve its mission and objectives.
Through scientific collaboration, social commitments, and innovative technologies, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is making a difference. Through endeavors such as these, the future for healthcare is looking progressively brighter—and bolder!
To learn more about the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and their focus on Diversity and Inclusion, read our Bold Leader Spotlight on James E. Taylor, Ph.D., Chief Diversity, Inclusion, and Talent Management Officer.
