Medical School ranked among best for Hispanics

Hispanic Business magazine has ranked The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston as having one of the country’s top 10 medical schools for promoting and encouraging a diverse community where Hispanic students can thrive.

The Medical School was ranked fourth in the magazine’s “2009 Top 10 Medical Schools for Hispanic Students” listing, which was published in the September issue. The school has steadily risen in the rankings over the last four years. It was in the No. 5 spot on last year’s top 10 list. It climbed from No. 8 in 2006 to No. 7 in 2007.

“The UT Medical School at Houston is proud to be recognized for continuing to improve its reach to underrepresented minorities, as evidenced by our move up in these rankings,” said Dean Giuseppe Colasurdo. “We have been increasing our efforts to encourage these students to pursue a career in medicine, and we are pleased to see the results.”

Institutions were ranked using data points from variables including enrollment, faculty diversity, student services, recruiting, retention rate, and reputation. According to Hispanic Business, the ranked schools embrace diversity as a means of educational enrichment, not merely as a federal requirement.

Hispanic students make up 13 percent of the enrollment at the Medical School, and Hispanic faculty account for 8 percent of the school’s full-time educators.

“We are very proud of this accomplishment,” said Dr. Judianne Kellaway, assistant dean for admissions. “Our faculty, students, and staff have worked ardently in order to enhance our diversity mission here, and we are so happy to be recognized by Hispanic Business magazine for these efforts.”

Joining the UT Medical School at Houston in the magazine’s listing are three other institutions in The University of Texas System: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

For information on the rankings, visit the Hispanic Business magazine Web site.

— Meredith Raine, Office of Institutional Advancement, Media Relations

Government provides incentives for using technology in health care

The benefits of incorporating technology into the doctor-patient relationship are becoming more tangible to some as the federal government offers monetary incentives to physicians who trade the pen for the handheld.

Some physicians may already qualify this year for a 2 percent federal bonus for e-prescribing all prescriptions covered by Medicare Part D. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Physicians Act of 2008 cuts the incentive to 1 percent in 2011 and 2012 and then to .5 in 2013. A 2 percent penalty will be levied against physicians who do not e-prescribe to these patients beginning in 2014.

“We have a 76 percent utilization rate of our electronic medical record and over the next five years have the opportunity to earn a considerable amount of money to use what we already have,” said Dr. James Griffiths, executive director of clinical technology.

UT Physicians, the clinical practice plan of the Medical School, introduced an electronic medical record — Allscripts — to its physicians in 2004.

Extra federal funding also may be realized through Title IV - Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Through this legislation, physicians will be eligible for $40,000 to $65,000 for meaningful use of health information technology.

“They are still defining what ‘meaningful use’ means, and payments would start in 2011,” Griffiths said, adding that like the e-prescribe incentive, the bonus amounts drops each year and turns into a penalty.

Another potential revenue stream for primary care physicians is through Physician Quality Reporting Initiatives. These quality measures are reported back to the federal government and automate such functions as reminders and notices for patients with specific disease states.

In addition to providing potentially extra revenue for UT Physicians, the electronic medical record (EMR) promotes good health through improved patient safety and efficiency.

“It eliminates duplicate tests, improves documentation and collaboration, and reduces missing charts,” Griffiths said. “We also are gathering electronic health data in collaboration with SHIS on the CTSA grant for translational medical research.”

With this push toward increasing the use of technology, UT Physicians has grown the staff of the EMR team and brought in a consulting firm, Global Works. This group will be charged with upgrading Allscripts in September, to version 11, which will be rolled out in May 2010.

Physician input is being sought during the Allscripts upgrade process. To provide input, please contact Dr. James Griffiths.

— Darla Brown, Office of Communications, Medical School

UT Physicians open on Saturdays at Bellaire location

In addition to its regular Monday–Friday hours, UT Physicians’ Bellaire location will be open 8 a.m.–noon on Saturday mornings, starting Sept. 12.

Conveniently located at the intersection of Bellaire Boulevard and Loop 610 South, UT Health Center offers primary and specialty care for adults. UT Health Center is operated by UT Physicians, the medical practice of the faculty of the Medical School, and accepts nearly all managed care plans.

UT Health Center

Parking is free and available in the adjoining parking garage. For information and appointments, call UT Health Center at 713.572.8122 or visit www.UTPhysicians.com.

6700 West Loop South, Suite 520
Bellaire, Texas 77401
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m.–Noon

Blood drive set for Sept. 11

The Employee Relations Committee is hosting the annual Sept. 11 blood drive at the Medical School. Set for 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, in the Medical School’s Leather Lounge, the event honors victims of that day.

Appointments may be scheduled online.

Addressing the future of healthcare