University’s School of Health and Human Services is first academic institution to pursue recognition through Planetree Designation Program
San Diego, Calif. – The Dean of National University’s School of Health and Human Services, Dr. Gloria McNeal, will lead a presentation at an international conference this month on the topic of how academic institutions can better prepare health care professionals in exceptional patient-centered in coordination with Planetree, Inc., which is a mission-based not-for-profit organization that partners with healthcare organizations. The presentation is one among several involving National University faculty at the annual Planetree International Conference on Patient-Centered Care Oct. 15-18 in Baltimore.
National University, which is among the largest private nonprofit universities in California, is the first academic institution to pursue designation status through the organization. Planetree, which has worked with numerous healthcare organizations across the country and globally for nearly four decades, is considered the gold standard for setting standards and assessment of patient-centered care. The Planetree Designation Program recognizes organizations for achieving a high standard of patient-centered care, which emphasizes the active participation of patients and their families in the health care decision process.
Joined by Christy Schumacher, Director of Academic Placements and Compliance at National University’s School of Health and Human Services, Dr. McNeal will lead a session titled Navigating Faculty, Staff and Students Toward Gold: Academia’s Inaugural Planetree Journey. The presentation – takes place Oct. 16 from 9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at the conference, which is located in Baltimore. More than 1,000 healthcare professionals and educational leaders, representing 19 countries are taking part in the conference at the Baltimore Marriott October 15-17.
Over the past year, the University initiated a fully-inclusive process that involved identifying areas for curriculum alignment and integration, as well as patient-centered training, education and other supportive services provided by Planetree. In addition to the presentation by Dr. McNeal and Ms. Schumacher, other presentations by National University faculty will include a poster presentation by Dr. Peggy Ranke; a presentation on Planetree Certification (individual) development by Dr. Tyler Smith and Dr. Peggy Ranke; and a presentation by Prof. Linda Macomber on Person-Centered Informatics.
National University’s School of Health and Human Services, led by Dean Dr. Gloria McNeal, offers programs for students interested in clinical health sciences careers, healthcare administration programs, nursing degrees, public health, health informatics and more.
About National University:
Founded in 1971, National University is one of the largest private, nonprofit universities in California. With more than 230,000 alumni, National University is the flagship institution of the National University System. National University is dedicated to making lifelong learning opportunities accessible, challenging, and relevant to a diverse population of students. Four schools and two colleges – the College of Letters and Sciences; the Sanford College of Education; the School of Business and Management; the School of Engineering and Computing; the School of Health and Human Services; and the School of Professional Studies – offer more than 75 graduate and undergraduate degrees and 23 teacher credentials. Programs are offered at locations throughout California and across the nation, and are also available online. National University is headquartered in La Jolla, California.