LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 11, 2005) -- Members of the new Kentucky Institute of Medicine™ (KIOM) met for the first time today at University of Kentucky’s Spindletop Hall.
The mission of the institute is to improve the health of Kentuckians by providing objective, evidence-based advice concerning health and health care to policy makers, professionals, leaders of society, and the public. The mission of the institute embraces the health of all Kentucky.
The institute will accomplish this mission by sponsoring research and developing a consensus among its members about issues relating to health and health care. The institute will respond to requests from outside sources for analysis and advice when this will aid in forming a basis for health policy decisions.
The Kentucky Institute of Medicine™ was organized by Dr. Emery A. Wilson, director of the UK Office of Health Research and Development. Wilson is former dean of UK’s College of Medicine. He recognized the success of the National Institute of Medicine and saw the need for an institute in Kentucky. The structure and organization of the Kentucky institute is based on the North Carolina Institute of Medicine, which was established in 1983.
“Kentucky needs a ‘think tank’ of individuals that can serve in an unbiased, advisory role about the health care concerns of the people – health care access, the uninsured, Medicaid funding, medical liability and other issues,” Wilson said. “The members who have agreed to participate so far certainly are knowledgeable and experienced about these issues. What the Pritchard Committee is for education, the institute will be for health care… a group that will establish policy and recommendations to improve the health of Kentuckians.”
The institute is staffed by the UK Office of Health Research and Development. Linda M. Asher serves as executive director and will be responsible for overseeing the staff of researchers and administrative personnel who manage the institute's projects.
Once the institute has been fully established and in operation, its leadership may determine the location and staffing necessary for continued operation.
Members of the institute are selected on the basis of their professional achievement and integrity and serve without compensation. Members are limited to about 100 and they may serve two five-year terms. There are 45 founding members who represent all aspects of heath care as well as other disciplines.
To bring a broad perspective in addressing complex public issues, at least 20 percent of the membership must be selected from professions other than those primarily related to medicine and health care.
Those selected as members cannot advocate for any particular discipline or position or represent the organizations with which they may be affiliated.
To view a list of members, go here. For more information about the institute, call Linda Asher at (859) 323-5567.
|
