Mary Chesney Named the Director of the DNP program

Mary Chesney, PhD, RN, CNP was named the director of the School of Nursing’s doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program July 1, 2010. Chesney’s health policy background positioned her for a leadership role in Minnesota’s 2008 health care reform law where she influenced the state’s model of health care homes (see Minnesota Department of Health website for details). She serves as the advanced practice nursing representative on the Minnesota Health Care Reform Review Council. In 2009, the Commissioners of Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Department of Human Services (DHS) appointed Mary to the Minnesota Quality Improvement Institute, a health care reform think-tank that includes MDH and DHS commissioners, health professionals and legislators. Mary’s work is looking further into the future and asking how hospital systems, clinics, home care facilities, etc. can pool resources and share risks and benefits in a new model of care called Accountable Care Organization (ACO). This model will focus on value in terms of quality while keeping costs contained.