The Training Experience

Coursework

MEL-STaR Scholars will take three courses from the Health Infrastructures and Learning Systems (HILS) graduate degree curriculum offered by the Department of Learning Health Sciences. Courses can be taken fully online, with no scheduled classes, or in residential format. Tuition will be paid by the program. For more information about HILS online courses see https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/lhs/education/health-infrastructures-learning-systems-hils-online/course-descriptions. Descriptions of residential courses may be found at https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/lhs/education/health-infrastructures-learning-systems-hils/course-descriptions.

Improvement Project

MEL-STaR labs, including U-M departments, statewide Collaborative Quality Initiatives, VA centers for quality improvement, networks of federally qualified health centers, and national research networks, provide opportunities for learning and research in environments where LHS research is already taking place and will complement the core HILS curriculum by providing scholars with an environment to design, test, implement and evaluate healthcare improvement strategies. All labs align with the following AHRQ/PCORI priority areas: high quality, safe care; prevention and improved care for people with chronic conditions; patient, family, provider, and community experience of care that enhances trust in the healthcare system and PCORI methodology standards. 

A full list of MEL-STaR affiliated labs may be found here.

Scholars will receive a $15,000 budget for expenses associated with their project, including travel to present project findings.

Mentoring

Each scholar will be supported by a four-person mentoring team that includes a patient partner.

Learn more about patient partners here. 

Community

Each scholar will become part of the LHS community consisting of past and present scholars, program staff, and faculty.

Time Commitment

The experience will cover 18 months but can be extended. Faculty-level and senior staff professional scholars can complete the program as a part-time component of their assigned duties. They must receive affirmation from their division/department head of 20% release time for coursework and the experiential project. Residents and fellows may participate as a part of a “research year” or a “gap year” by arrangement with their program director. Scholars with faculty appointments and scholars with a terminal degree in a clinical staff position are eligible for $10,000 in funding toward their release time.