COI Awarded Grant for Lean Health

Eight northwestern Minnesota healthcare facilities along with Northland Community and Technical College (NCTC) were awarded a three-year $352,692 Minnesota Job Skills Partnership grant last October to develop and deliver lean health curriculum. Unique to this initiative is the commitment of regional manufacturers to serve in capacities of mentors, coaches, and subject matter experts. The grant affords this three-way partnership the opportunity to work together to address the possibilities of applying lean manufacturing principles to the healthcare industry. The overarching goal of this initiative is to realize substantial cost savings while maintaining and/or increasing the quality of healthcare for northwestern Minnesota constituents. This initiative also integrates intercultural communication and conflict management training from a foundation grant to maximize end results.

The eight healthcare facilities involved in Lean Health are: Clearwater Health Services, Bagley; Dakota Clinic, Ltd., Thief River Falls; First Care Medical Health Services, Fosston; Kittson Memorial Healthcare Center, Hallock; Lakewood Health Center, Baudette; Northwest Medical Center, Thief River Falls; Northwestern Mental Health Center, Crookston; Roseau Area Hospital and Homes, Roseau.

To help guide the application of lean manufacturing principles to the healthcare industry, representatives from the Highway #2 West Manufacturers Association and the Northwest Minnesota Manufacturers Association serve on the Lean Health Steering Committee. Members meet on a bi-monthly basis and provide project feedback and guidance. Representatives from Polaris Industries, DigiKey Corporation, Team Industries, Marvin Windows, North Region Health Alliance, and NCTC make up the Lean Health Steering Committee.

For more information relative to the Lean Health Initiative in Northwestern Minnesota , please contact Pat Balstad, Director of Lifelong Learning, at 218-773-4524 or pat.balstad@northlandcollege.edu