A Catalyst for Change: University College Collaborates with First-of-Its-Kind Facility
The RiNo district in Denver might be best known for beer and art, but this fall the hip downtown hotspot welcomed a new neighbor: the Catalyst Healthcare Technology Initiative (Catalyst HTI). A collaboration between private enterprise, government, and academic organizations, along with healthcare providers and payers, Catalyst HTI is intended to accelerate innovation and effect change in the health industry.
University College is one of five colleges and schools at the University of Denver participating in the initiative, which is the first facility of its kind in the United States. The collaborative space will serve as a home for research, engagement, and social entrepreneurship.
“As an educational institution, we represent the opportunity to parallel research and business questions towards increasing the body of knowledge as well as offering solutions to the health industry as a whole,” said Bobbie Kite, associate professor and academic director for the Healthcare Management program. “Specifically, we’re building cross-disciplinary care coordination, workflow, and cybersecurity labs to focus on population health from a variety of perspectives while keeping a focus on the needs of our local and national communities.”
Bringing together community stakeholders to find ways to innovate within the health sector is a crucial component of the Healthcare Management program at University College, making Catalyst HTI a natural partnership to advance this mission and make an impact. Other prominent participants include Kaiser Permanente, the American Heart Association, and Delta Dental.
“DU’s partnership with Catalyst represents our commitment to innovative research, cross-disciplinary curriculum, and involvement in the community,” Chancellor Rebecca Chopp said. “We’re excited about the unique opportunities this collaborative space will provide, both for our students and faculty, and for our community partners.”