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Based in Minnesota Mayo Clinic launches new artificial intelligence education program using $10 million in funding from the Harper Family Foundation.
Mayo Clinic’s Harper Family Foundation Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Education Program will train staff and healthcare professionals to ethically deploy the best AI technology for patients, the health system said.
“The Harper Family Foundation was created through the hard work, success and generosity of Mike and Josie Harper as an enduring resource to support education, leadership and health care, and to strengthen our communities,” said the Harper Family Foundation Board of Directors.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT?
Mayo Clinic hopes the effort will accelerate career development opportunities and spread knowledge among staff as the health system deepens its use of technology.
Earlier this year, the Mayo Clinic have joined forces with 3D imaging startup JelloX Biotech on artificial intelligence-based imaging analysis technology.
At the HIMSS24 global conference in Orlando, Florida, in March, a team from the Mayo Clinic presented the “global digital strategywhich involves several key steps, including developing a “future state vision” and defining guiding digital imperatives.
The Mayo team has been working seriously on this project since 2020, and throughout Phases 0 and 1, it has made key decisions on the long-term master plan – a plan that includes a multi-year timeline for investing in digital experiences, with a focus on digitally optimizing its physical spaces.
Last year, the Mayo Clinic said it was Google Cloud partners for generative AIstarting with a Gen App Builder app generator in clinical workflows. Enterprise search in Generative AI App Builder should make it easier for clinicians and researchers to find information to help improve patient outcomes, Google Cloud said. The Gen App Builder app generator supports HIPAA compliance.
THE MOST GENERAL TREND
Dr. Mike Harper Jr., who previously served as executive dean of Mayo Clinic and as a member of the Mayo Clinic board of directors and trustees, and his wife, Mary Harper, are both directors of the foundation, which is based in Omaha, Nebraska. In addition to practicing neurology, Harper is currently a professor at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.
His father, Charles M. Harper Sr., was CEO of ConAgra Foods from 1976 to 1992. Mr. and Mrs. Harper Sr. established the Harper Family Foundation in 1993. Its primary focus is to support organizations working in education, social services, health, youth and civic projects.
Recognized by Mayo Clinic as a philanthropic partner, the foundation previously established the Harper Family Foundation Scholarship Fund for the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in 2018. The foundation has also made gifts to support the Mayo Clinic Hospice program and the Poverello Fund, as well as unrestricted gifts.
Jeff Lagasse is editor-in-chief of Healthcare Finance News.
E-mail: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.