New Book on Academic Health Center Transformation is Released

WASHINGTON, June 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ A new book from the Association of Academic Health Centers (AAHC) designed to guide and inform organizational leadership, policymakers, researchers, and educators in healthcare, business, and academics has been released. The Transformation of Academic Health Centers: Meeting the Challenges of Healthcare's Changing Landscape frames the possibilities, challenges, and best practices for these important institutions in the new healthcare era.

Published by Elsevier, the book's chapters are authored by established senior leaders and policymakers representing academic health centers in the United States and worldwide. "Academic health centers are essential engines of the healthcare system given their critical roles in health professions education, research, and patient care; this volume provides forward-thinking and thought-provoking perspectives that set the stage for the evolving role of these institutions as they seek to advance knowledge to improve health and well-being," said the book's editor and chapter author, AAHC President and CEO Dr. Steven A. Wartman.

The book is divided into five sections: The Evolution of the Academic Health Center; Educating the Future Health Workforce; The Challenge of Discovery; Preparing for Health System Change; and a concluding piece on Future Shock or Future Success. Each chapter provides case studies as appropriate, lessons learned, and recommendations to challenge both current and future leaders.

"Neither an academic 'ivory tower' nor a pure business, academic health centers are a unique hybrid of both. Blending traditional academic values with the business of patient care requires exceptional leadership. As this book amply demonstrates, academic health centers are in the process of transforming themselves to meet ever-changing societal needs and priorities," said Wartman, adding "While they are responding to numerous public, scientific, and economic forces, academic health centers are also leading the way in educating a new generation of health professionals, making scientific breakthroughs that offer new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, and providing cutting-edge patient careall with the goal of improving health and well-being."

The Transformation of Academic Health Centers offers a one-stop reference and should be of interest to all stakeholders in the social, professional, and economic role of academic health centers. The book can be ordered from the AAHC website or by contacting the association directly: 202-265-9600.

The Association of Academic Health Centers is a non-profit association dedicated to advancing health and well-being through the vigorous leadership of academic health centers.

SOURCE Association of Academic Health Centers