Minnesota Learning Health System Embedded Scientist Training Program

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:

• AHRQ/PCORI P30 Learning Health System Embedded Scientist Training and Research (LHS E-STaR) grant (LEaRN: LHS E-STaR of the North, P30HS029744) (2024-8)
• Internal UMN support from Office of Academic Clinical Affairs (OACA), Clinical Translational Science Institute (CTSI), and CLHSS
• MN-LHS hub (partner clinical) sites

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.

MN-LHS Leadership