University of Michigan School of Nursing Nurse Managed Centers
Health Care Centered Around You

Ann Arbor-based Packard Health and the U-M School of Nursing Announce Operational Partnership

Partnership Brings New Efficiencies to the Nurse Managed Center Model, Enables Continuation of Care Delivery for Community.

ANN ARBOR, MI – JANUARY 3, 2012 – The University of Michigan School of Nursing today announced the formation of a partnership with Packard Health (www.packardhealth.org) in Ann Arbor to continue to provide affordable, high quality primary health care to the community. Historically, the U-M School of Nursing has provided community outreach care through its own Nurse Managed Centers. This new strategic alliance applies the identical model of care and convenience as was being delivered via the U-M Nurse Managed Centers but with administrative and financial support from the Packard Health affiliation.

A challenging economic climate prompted The U-M School of Nursing administration to evaluate options that would ensure the long-term sustainability of its care model. Recognizing the synergies achievable, the decision was made to align with Packard Health, a well-established and well-respected local health care practice.

“For the better part of fifteen years, our Nurse Practitioner care model has been an invaluable asset for Ann Arbor,” said Kathleen Potempa, Dean of U-M School of Nursing. “Determined to preserve this resource for the coming years, we aligned with Packard Health as a means for gaining the necessary operational and administrative support. The community should expect our nurse faculty to see and treat patients just as they have been – with compassion and under the highest of standards. Any changes to the back office will ensure this care model remains a viable option.”

Staffed and managed by highly skilled, certified nurse practitioners who are also faculty at the U-M School of Nursing, the U-M Nurse Managed Centers have long provided care to patients in southeast Michigan. In the Packard Health clinic setting, U-M nurse practitioners will continue to diagnose and recommend treatment for common acute illnesses, disease prevention, and management of chronic illnesses and provide a host of other primary care services. However, the new facility can accommodate a broader population base than would be possible for the Nurse Managed Centers as previously organized, resulting in administrative and cost efficiencies that will enable longer term financial stability.
After February 6, 2012, nurse practitioners will be located at the Packard Health site to serve existing U-M Nurse Managed Center patients as well as new patients. U-M nurse practitioners transitioning from the Nurse Managed Centers will be managed under the Packard Health governance structure but will retain their U-M School of Nursing faculty status and commitment to its academic mission.

Upon request, patient medical records can be transferred from the existing U-M Nurse Managed Center locations to the Packard Health location. Details regarding location and hours of operation for the new clinic can be found at www.packardhealth.org.

If you are interested in utilizing the UM School of Nursing Nurse Managed Centers as part of a research project, please contact Emily Meuleman Evett, director, at 734-647-1636 to discuss your research interests.