Connections, best practices, and knowledge-sharing that transcends borders

To address some of the biggest challenges in healthcare today, it’s important for hospital and health system leaders to share knowledge, expertise, and best practices with one another—regardless of geographic borders. That’s why board members and administrators from three hospitals in the Netherlands recently participated in an Innovation Tour to the United States in April 2024.  

Facilitated by Medtronic, the goal of the trip was for Dutch hospital leaders to learn firsthand how U.S. health systems and payers are tackling some of the biggest opportunities and challenges in healthcare today.

In one stop on their U.S. tour, the Dutch hospital leaders spent an enriching half-day visiting the Visible Heart Lab, followed by a robust discussion with leaders from M Health Fairview and the University of Minnesota Medical School, including Clarence Shannon, M.D., David Satin, M.D., Abraham Jacob, M.D., MNA, Greg Beilman, M.D., and Pam Johnson, as well as Medtronic employees. Discussion topics ranged from innovation in care delivery and regionally integrated networks, to population health and approaches to communicating with patients digitally. 

“In the Netherlands we talk a lot about digitalization of our healthcare process, but we need to speed it up,” said one Dutch health system leader. “I was impressed by the way the University of Minnesota [Medical School] works. Minnesota is a large area, about five times bigger than the Netherlands, but we both still need to find ways to communicate with our patients in a digital way. I sense more urgency [to do this] in Minnesota than in the Netherlands. So how can we intensify that? They gave us some wonderful insights on how to do it.” 

"It was a pleasure for the University of Minnesota Medical School to host [Medtronic and hospital leaders from the Netherlands] during their U.S. visit,” says Timothy Schacker, M.D., Executive Vice Dean, University of Minnesota Medical School, and Infectious Disease Provider at M Health Fairview. “We appreciated the opportunity to share our innovative research and patient care models, and to have the opportunity to discuss the unique challenges and benefits of our respective health systems. We hope that the insights and connections that were made provide an opportunity for continued conversation and knowledge sharing."  

The Innovation Tour made a lasting impact on the Dutch leaders, who indicated their time at the Visible Heart Lab and learning from M Health Fairview and the University of Minnesota Medical School leaders were among their favorite parts of the trip. And the relationships won’t end there – leaders are already discussing future collaboration opportunities.

Photography credit: AngelicJewel Photography