The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Center for Health Administration and Aging Services Excellence (CHAASE) was established in 2000 to serve the ever-changing health care needs of the upper Midwest. CHAASE supports the UW-Eau Claire health care administration program through financial and programming assistance.

Vision

To be a bridge connecting our premier academic programs to practitioners, and serve as a conduit to advance a national presence in the field of health administration and aging services.

Mission

Providing guidance and support of the education of tomorrow’s leaders in the health administration and aging services field.

Goals

Goals for 2010 encompass four broad areas: Quality, Growth, National Influence, and Fund Development.

Quality
Establish a Combined Quality Index Baseline score for the Health Care Administration program
This new approach is being led by Dr. Johs and could have exciting national possibilities for NAB accredited universities.

Growth
Grow undergraduate program and begin two sections of undergraduate courses by 2010
We will be working on this initiative with College of Business support. Our initial plan to grow with a web-based adult learner certificate program was put on hold after an initial experience of limited enrollment.  

National Influence
Establish an approach to focus our activities on the most influential areas
We are at a critical strategic period for the Center with a great opportunity in front of us to begin to claim a place as a national resource for this field. Dr. Olson has been charged with the overall responsibility for this goal.

Fund Development
Develop a compelling case statement and launch a development campaign
Raise over $200,000 for operating expenses and over $500,000 in endowment. Gifts will be used to expand the number of scholarships, fund student participation in national and state professional meetings, fund off-campus meetings and retreats for practicum students, and provide supplemental support to the UW-Eau Claire student chapter of American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA), and support faculty and staff efforts toward the goals of the Center.

Recent Accomplishments

With the support provided by the university and the College of Business, and by friends and supporters through CHAASE, we are able to continue to make great progress for our program and the field.

• In 2010, three UW-Eau Claire health care administration students were among the first undergraduate students in the country selected to receive ACHCA academy fellowships. Micah Herold, a junior from Prescott, Wis., is helping to develop a student poster session for the 2010 ACHCA National Convocation. Herold is also working on a second fellowship which focuses on the development of expanded partnership opportunities between ACHCA student chapters across the country. Nikole Barcz, a junior from Madison, Wis., will help Dr. Douglas Olson continue his work with ACHCA to launch a national mentoring program. Kelsey Callahan, a junior from Forest Lake, Minn, will work with Dr. Olson on a study focusing on how critical long term care leaders work together, and how these relationships influence outcomes. Support for these fellowships comes from the UW-Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, CHAASE, University of Minnesota Chair for Long Term Care, ACHCA, and Pathway Health Services.

• Our students had increased access to health care professionals via participation in webinars, on campus forums, classroom presentations, and other student development opportunities. For example, CHAASE hosted a health care reform forum in October 2009. Panelists included Dr. Robert Burke, chair, Department of Health Administration, George Washington University; Clifton Porter, vice president of governmental affairs, HCR Manor Care; and Lisa Lamkins, advocacy director, Wisconsin American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Jennifer Johs-Artisensi moderated the discussion.
  

• Our faculty and students have provided leadership for the First Annual National Applied Student Poster Session, which will be held May 15-16, 2010 at the American College of Health Care Administrators Spring Convocation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

• CHAASE members successful petitioned our affiliated practicum sites to increase the annual stipend for UW-Eau Claire students from $12,000 to $18,000. This continues to be an important component of our practicum educational experience, and was especially helpful during a challenging economic climate.

• Our faculty and alumni will participate in the National Emerging Leadership Summit, which will be held June 15-18, 2010 at George Washington University.  
  

• UW-Eau Claire health care administration faculty held leadership roles within ACHCA, NAB and AHCA, which resulted in numerous opportunities for the Center and the program. This has also helped us position the Center to establish ourselves as a “national resource” for long-term and chronic care administration.