As 2024 ends, we at California Northstate University College of Medicine (CNUCOM) take pride in reflecting on the significant topics that have shaped the past year. Here are some key highlights:

Advocating for Physician Mental Health

Progress on World Mental Health Day:
“California’s role in destigmatizing mental health care for physicians represents crucial progress for our profession.”
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The implementation of the CNUCOM Leave of Absence Policy 4120 underscores our commitment to supporting student and physician mental health. This policy allows students in good academic standing to request a leave of absence for academic, employment, maternity, military, medical, research, or educational enrichment purposes. Full policy details are available here.

Expanding CNU Education Programs

The opening of the College of Dental Medicine has introduced new programs for our students, including the DMD Degree Program and the RDHAP (Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice) Program. Courses such as Human Systems, Odontology, Oral and Maxillofacial Studies, and Behavioral and Social Sciences are now available to students, alongside training in ethical healthcare delivery for diverse populations. With 80 dental procedure chairs and state-of-the-art technology, the College of Dental Medicine is advancing research into innovative oral health solutions while equipping future healthcare professionals with the tools to solve complex problems and reduce healthcare costs. Visit us at 2200 X Street and Broadway, Sacramento, CA 95818.

“This cutting-edge facility is poised to redefine dental education and patient care in Northern California.” "College of Dental Medicine Grand Opening"
Expanding healthcare education infrastructure: "This cutting-edge facility is poised to redefine dental education and patient care in Northern California." linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7265372124565897217/

California Northstate University Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

We are excited to announce the launch of our nursing program and eagerly anticipate welcoming the inaugural class of nursing students at CNU. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for this exciting new program is scheduled for later this month, with the first cohort of exceptional students set to begin their studies in January 2025.

This program is thoughtfully designed to address the evolving healthcare needs of our community. It offers an integrated learning environment that combines hands-on clinical experience with interdisciplinary education in collaboration with the COM.

Our goal is to equip nursing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver compassionate, expert care. Additionally, we are committed to preparing our students for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, with an annual graduation of 100 nursing students.

Strengthening Healthcare Partnerships

We are thrilled about plans to build a state-of-the-art Medical Center and Teaching Hospital in Sacramento, located on the former site of the Sacramento Kings arena. Construction begins in 2025, setting the stage for our students to deliver world-class patient care in the years ahead.

Collaboration with other Medical Education Teams in Atlanta and the annual Learn Serve Lead conference of the AAMC

This year in Atlanta, at the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges annual meeting, Learn Serve Lead, we had a 10-member team unite with academic leaders across the country to tackle the challenges facing medical education, healthcare delivery, and research. Key discussions addressed crucial topics such as the impact of AI on healthcare, advancing health equity, and the importance of humanism in medicine.

We also had the opportunity to engage with LCME (Liaison Committee on Medical Education) Secretariat staff to ensure readiness for our upcoming limited survey in February. We are confident in the preparation of our materials for the LCME. The team also learned an immense amount and interacted with those entrenched in medical education.

Our experience here has been incredibly productive as we learn how to best serve our students and faculty to shape the future of medical education.

A Personal Note

On a personal note, watching our daughter Dayna complete her UCLA Internal Medicine residency and begin her hematology-oncology fellowship at UC Davis has reminded me why we are passionate about bridging medical excellence with systemic transformation. Our daughter Rachel, (CNUCOM class of 2023) is thriving in her Family Medicine residency in Sacramento and will pursue fellowship opportunities in Sports Medicine.

Preparing the next generation of physician leaders to transform healthcare organizations remains at the heart of our mission.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Our commitment is to cultivate physician leaders who excel in both the art and science of medicine while championing ethical solutions for sustainable and accessible healthcare delivery. We have a remarkable opportunity to shape the next generation of physicians.

The path forward is ours to forge. Let us advance with purpose and unity in our mission to transform lives through the practice of medicine. Together, we strive to connect medical excellence with systemic transformation.

To our faculty, students, and healthcare partners: your dedication and commitment inspire innovation and excellence in everything we do.

With gratitude and best wishes for a successful 2025,

Rich
Richard S. Isaacs, MD, FACS
Dean, Senior Vice-President of Medical Affairs, and Chief Academic Officer
Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
California Northstate University College of Medicine
9700 W Taron Dr
Elk Grove, CA 95757
Office (916) 378-3532
Mobile (916) 952-1934
Richard.Isaacs@CNSU.edu
California Northstate University College of Medicine
#innovation #academicmedicine #healthcare #CNUCOM #transformation #2025 #Healthcare #HealthNews #HealthTalk #HealthInnovations

The United States (U.S.) healthcare system is a global leader in innovation but faces a critical challenge: its high cost. In 2023, healthcare consumed 19% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP)—nearly double the average of other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations—without delivering significantly better health outcomes.

The percentage of healthcare consumption of the U.S. GDP has been doubling every 10 years. For example, the percentage of GDP consumption for healthcare was 4% in 1984 and now represents 19%. This is caused by rising unit pricing including healthcare services and prescription drugs, technological advancements, administrative costs, healthcare labor costs, and increased inpatient and outpatient utilization from expanded disease burden.

These rising costs create widespread repercussions. Patients struggle with access to care, delays, and crushing medical debt, while providers and health systems face resource constraints and mounting administrative burdens. Disruption is needed to transform care delivery. We must prioritize cost reduction alongside quality improvement. By embracing evidence-based medicine, we can streamline care, focus on proven, cost-effective treatments, and enhance accessibility and affordability. This approach benefits everyone: improved patient outcomes, fewer unnecessary treatments, and a more sustainable healthcare system.

This month, I share my thoughts regarding my top three recommendations to make our healthcare system more efficient and effective.

1. Adopt Value-Based Care Models: Transitioning from fee-for-service to value-based care can enhance patient outcomes while controlling costs by focusing on the quality rather than the quantity of services provided. This works when insurance is applied in a pre-payment model which rewards prevention and quality. This approach prioritizes high-quality treatment tailored to patient needs and measurable outcomes. By focusing on value and efficiency over volume, we can streamline processes, eliminate unnecessary tests or procedures, and improve overall effectiveness. Value-based care ensures resources are used wisely to deliver better results while controlling expenses.
2. Enhance Preventive Care and Population Health Management: Investing in preventive measures and managing population health can reduce long-term healthcare costs by addressing health issues early and promoting healthier lifestyles. Investing in preventive care and population health management is a powerful way to reduce healthcare costs. By focusing on illness prevention, early intervention, and proactive treatment of chronic conditions, we can save resources while improving outcomes. Strategies like vaccinations, screenings, and lifestyle changes help detect health issues early, when they are easier and less expensive to address. Tackling social determinants of health and improving population health also reduce long-term care demands and associated costs.
3. Leverage Technology and Telehealth: Implementing telehealth and optimizing electronic health record systems can improve care coordination, reduce unnecessary visits, and lower administrative costs. By leveraging technology and data analytics, we can reduce healthcare costs without compromising patient care. Tools like electronic health records (EHRs), telehealth, and analytics streamline workflows, optimize resources, and highlight cost-saving opportunities. These solutions enhance decision-making, enabling targeted interventions to improve cost-effectiveness while maintaining safety and quality. Healthcare organizations that are agile and capable of integrating new technologies and innovative strategies will play a pivotal role in transforming the American healthcare system. Specifically, those that embrace value-based care models, prioritize preventive measures, and harness the power of technology and telehealth will emerge as leaders, paving the way for others to follow.

In future blogs, I am eager to describe the intricacies involved in each of these areas.

These images are credited to my favorite data sources, Statista and The Commonwealth Fund and provide visual context for the US healthcare cost vs comparative quality data across the globe.

Dear College of Medicine Community,

As Veterans Day approaches, I want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to those who have served in our armed forces. Our veterans are remarkable individuals who have answered the call to protect and defend the freedoms we cherish. These heroes embody the values of duty, honor, and unwavering commitment to our country.

This Veterans Day, let us come together to recognize not only their sacrifices but also the sacrifices made by their families, who have stood by them through every challenge. Remember those we have lost, honor those still with us, and take inspiration from the courage and resilience of the veterans among us at CNU and across our hospital network.

The men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform inspire me every day, and I take great pride in working alongside the many veterans here at CNU and throughout our hospital network.

With deep gratitude,
Rich

Photo taken in 2018, during the unveiling of these statues, at National Harbor which features several military soldiers that honor the U.S. Armed Forces. The collection, titled “America’s Team - Protecting Your Freedom,” was introduced on Veterans Day 2018 and includes five statues representing each military branch (Coast Guard, Air Force, Army, Marines, and Navy).
Designed by Ivan Schwartz of Studio EIS. Photo courtesy of my personal photo library 🙂.

Richard S. Isaacs, MD, FACS
Dean California Northstate University College of Medicine
Senior Vice-President of Medical Affairs and Chief Academic Officer
Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery