All UM-Flint Students Invited to Join Online Course “Understanding and Improving the U.S. Healthcare System”

From: Michelle Ehlers, MSW
University of Michigan Health System Course Administrator

Imagine a learning experience that could bring together students from ALL 3 CAMPUSES of the University of Michigan, about a topic relevant to all of them in their lives…

Just such an opportunity for undergraduate, graduate and professional students at the Flint, Dearborn, and Ann Arbor campuses is coming in January-February 2015!  UM students have a UM-only opportunity to participate in the University’s first all-campus, massive open online course (MOOC) on the U.S. healthcare system.  This non-credit bearing “course” will require considerable commitment, but the pay-off from participating in this unique three-campus learning community is equally large.

The program will be led by Matthew Davis, MD, MAPP, professor of pediatrics and internal medicine/public policy/health management & policy at UM Medical School, School of Public Policy, and School of Public Health.  Dr. Davis also serves as Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan.

For this MOOC entitled “Understanding and Improving the U.S. Healthcare System,” ALL UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN STUDENTS ARE WELCOME.  It will bring principles and challenges of the U.S. healthcare system to learners in an accessible way, and will encourage them to examine their own assumptions and experiences as they learn-through-innovation.

The program launches on January 12 and lasts for 6 weeks.  It is designed for full-time students to be CO-CURRICULAR, to take ALONG WITH their UM course load.  The MOOC format allows for asynchronous learning, so that students can view the content and participate in online discussions at times convenient to them.  There’s no cost to participate.  And for students who participate, a Statement of Accomplishment will be available.

As a unique feature of this learning opportunity, students will participate in small-group discussions regarding the design of health plans during Week 5.  The group discussions will be held on campus at a variety of times to be convenient to students, and will be facilitated by faculty from the UM Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.  The Institute is sponsoring this learning experience along with the Provost’s Office for Digital Education and Innovation.

Please visit umich.learnushealthcare.org for more information, and share this information with any UM students you think may be interested.