The University of Montana (UM) and the University of Montana Foundation have announced an $8 million grant in support of the L.S. Skaggs Institute for Health Innovation (SIHI). 

The grant from the Utah-based ALSAM Foundation will enable UM to engage a wide variety of stakeholders who are committed to improving health outcomes for Montanans and to construct a community-facing high-tech space to house SIHI programs. Launched in 2020, SIHI was established by a donation from the ALSAM Foundation to accelerate the adoption of telehealth and precision medicine training in Montana.

SIHI is led by Erica Woodahl and Hayley Blackburn, UM professors in the Skaggs School of Pharmacy, and the programs use pharmacist-led and team-based care approaches to increase access to healthcare services and support partners in rural and tribal communities across the state. SIHI also includes innovative research programs—including those in precision medicine and pharmacogenomics—to ensure that benefits resulting from research are realized for underserved communities.

“SIHI can creatively partner with communities and fellow health professionals to improve access to care across Montana, while simultaneously training our students to practice effectively in interprofessional teams,” said Blackburn. “We have the opportunity to be a national leader by providing a blueprint for pharmacists to expand their traditional roles in an effort to reduce the health disparities that exist across our country.” 

(Photo credit: Getty Images/sanjeri)