IAIMS Operational Phase Grant for UMDNJ

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal seeks to advance the implementation of the IAIMS Strategic Plan previously developed by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) through an Operational Phase grant that emphasizes two of the plan's goals in particular: integrate information resources in support of UMDNJ's endeavors, and garner the University's research, educational and scholarly resources to increase efficiency and enhance effectiveness. These two foci were selected as most essential to the attainment of UMDNJ's IAIMS vision of "The Virtual University of the Health Sciences." With its five geographically-dispersed campuses, eight schools and two health care units, UMDNJ faces unique challenges in realizing potential synergies; information technology can be an invaluable resource in this regard. In recent years, and, in particular, since its initial IAIMS Operational Phase application in 2000, UMDNJ has augmented this resource through significant information technology infrastructure investments in the Department of Information Systems and Technology and the University Libraries, a commitment that will continue throughout the AIMS Operational Phase. The Operational Phase includes projects related to the integration goal that span the educational, clinical and research missions. With regard to the coordination goal, encouraged by receipt of a state grant to significantly develop UMDNJ s education and research programs in bioinformatics, in March 2001, the Board of Trustees created a statewide Informatics Institute, deeming it a major initiative and area of emphasis for UMDNJ. The mission of the Institute is to foster the coordinated development of academic degree and certificate programs in informatics disciplines, and to promote informatics research. Its key role will be to facilitate the sharing of knowledge among centers of excellence within the University to build competence in bioinformatics and health informatics in teaching, research and patient care. Implementation of this Institute, which will become the permanent home for the IAIMS Operational Phase project at UMDNJ, is well underway. The IAIMS Operational Phase will be directed by a leadership team consisting of the Principal Investigator, the University's Senior Academic Officer, to whom the Informatics Institute also reports, and Co-Directors with responsibility for the execution of the various project goals. An ongoing evaluation of project impact throughout the grant period will provide data for continuous improvement as well as a more formal assessment of outcomes annually and upon project completion. In large part, UMDNJ and other extramural funds will support the Operational Phase, with the requested IAIMS funding directed primarily to educational initiatives, Institute development and core project staff.