Our Priorities
We aim to prepare future health professionals to meet the needs of the 21st century with a population that is the most diverse in U.S. history and who may live longer than any previous generation. We are focusing on the learning environments where our future health professionals train so that they learn not only prevention and the social determinants of health but are well prepared to care for people when they are ill. This means learning the scientific basis of disease and taking advantage of the discoveries and breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment so that they make wise choices while providing compassionate care.
At the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, we foster innovation in clinical learning environments by investing in three areas:
Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Belonging
We must ensure that everyone who receives care and those who learn, teach, and work in clinical environments are treated equitably. Systemic inequities that reduce career satisfaction and limit advancement opportunities for health professionals from historically underrepresented communities, including people of color, women, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community, members of some religious groups, and individuals from low-income households need solutions.
Learn MoreIncreasing Collaboration Among Future Health Professionals
Students, residents, and graduate students historically learn and train as highly skilled, but largely autonomous, professionals. This “siloed” approach is obsolete and is being replaced by environments where health professionals and their learners work together as a high functioning team. This means promoting collaboration among health care providers, such as nurses, social workers, physicians pharmacists, and others so that learners in these environments are trained to provide the highest quality patient care as members of a collaborative team. Public health leaders play a critical role in promoting community health and preventing disease and are vital collaborators with the health care team.
Learn MorePreparing Future Health Professionals to Navigate Ethical Dilemmas
To succeed today, health professionals need more than clinical skill. They must also be prepared to navigate the complex ethical dilemmas that arise when confronting barriers that conflict with professional ideals and aspirations. Those teaching in learning environments cannot anticipate every scenario, but they can equip future health professionals with essential tools for navigating dilemmas that arise when managing issues of patient access, end of life, interactions with other health professionals and many other complex situations.
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