We are now accepting applications until April 30, 2025!

Learn more

Our Program

MN-LHS program logo

Empowering healthcare professionals with the skills, training, and resources needed to advance embedded research and build thriving learning health systems.

Since 2018, the Minnesota Learning Health System Embedded Scientist Training (MN-LHS) Program has trained and mentored scientists to conduct embedded patient-centered research to improve healthcare.

The key objective of the MN-LHS program is to establish Minnesota as a learning health system (LHS) by cultivating a skilled workforce with LHS competencies and training, real world experience, and a support network to promote success. The MN-LHS program operates as a collaborative with five hub sites (core partner clinical sites) including: M Health Fairview, Essentia Health, HealthPartners, Hennepin Healthcare, and Minneapolis VA. The program receives support through:

Recognizing the need to diversify training opportunities to meet the needs of individuals at various stages of professional development and career paths, the MN-LHS program now offers three track options, including:

  • MN-LHS Scholars: Early scientist / faculty career development
  • MN-LHS Fellows: Postdoctoral trainees and predoctoral trainees with dedicated LHS research or integrated training programs
  • MN-LHS Internships: Intensive 1-3 month programming for exposure to LHS competencies

The MN-LHS program was initially supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) as a K12 Institutional Mentor Career Development Program (2018-23). The collaborative under this initial funding mechanism included the University of Minnesota, M Health Fairview, Mayo Clinic, Hennepin Healthcare, and Minneapolis VA, and several other partner sites. Importantly, MN-LHS scholars have also been generously supported internally by OACA, CTSI, and CLHSS.

desin-shops

Design Shops

Design Shops are interactive, seminar-style presentations open to all.  They focus on implementing LHS competencies and training in real time, enabling deeper understanding and practical application.

MN-LHS Leadership 

Headshot of Tim Beebe
Co-Director, Administrative Core
Melton
Professor, Division of Colon & Rectal Surgery
Headshot of Nathan Shippee
Co-Director, Research & Education Core
Headshot of Elisheva Danan
Co-Director, Research & Education Core
Headshot of Felicity Enders
Diversity Champion, Administration Core
Headshot of Lindsay Bork Nichols
Administrative Director, Center for Learning Health System Sciences
Headshot of Kelli Johnson
Evaluation Director
Headshot of Amanda Trofholz
Research Outreach Manager, Center for Learning Health System Sciences
Headshot of Steve Dehmer
Site PI, HealthPartners & HealthPartners Institute
Headshot of Steven Fu
Site PI, Minneapolis VA & Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research
Headshot of Mark Linzer
Site PI, Hennepin Healthcare & Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute
Headshot of Stephen Waring
Site PI, Essentia Health & Essentia Institute for Rural health

On March 21, 2025 fourth-year medical students nationwide found out where they will spend their residencies. The University of Minnesota is happy to announce where our students matched.

Announcements
Marta Michalska-Smith, MD, with the University of Minnesota Medical School and M Health Fairview talks about the causes of arthritis, treatment options and research to improve knowledge around this chronic condition.
Press Release

The Department of Rehabilitation Medicine blends research and education with top-notch patient care through our M Health Fairview partnership. This dedication has earned the M Health Fairview Acute Rehabilitation Center the #1 spot in the Midwest, ranked by Newsweek/Statista in 2024.

Announcements

We are pleased to announce that, after a rigorous selection process, Dr. Walter Low has assumed the Director of the Stem Cell Institute (SCI) role.

Announcements