A $1 million gift from the Emma Eccles Jones Foundation will allow the U’s College of Nursing to create a new research center.

The Emma Eccles Jones Nursing Research Center, to be housed in renovated space on the nursing college’s fifth floor, will support graduate study, faculty preparation and clinical nursing research.

The center will enhance the ability of the college to supply nursing faculty, nurse educators and advanced practice nurses to meet the growing demand in Utah, according to Maureen Keefe, dean of the College of Nursing, and Presidential Endowed Chair Professor Louis Peery.

“Utah ranks third in the nation in the severity of its nurse shortage, behind Nevada and California,” Keefe said. “Each year a large pool of well-qualified prospective students applies to nursing programs throughout the state. However, inadequate numbers of nursing faculty limit our ability to prepare more nurses to respond to this critical shortage in health-care providers.”

The center will also facilitate the work of graduate students and faculty who are studying issues of health and healing across the life span.

Current research topics include cancer screening and prevention, care-giving and family support needs, symptom and pain management, aging and end-of-life care issues, neonatal care and physiologic stability and management of infant irritability or colic.

Most Wired Award

For the fourth straight year, the U Hospitals & Clinics have been named one of the nation’s 100 most wired health-care systems by Hospitals & Health Networks, a publication of the American Hospital Association.

Announced in the journal’s July issue, the award recognizes U Hospital for its Internet technologies that connect patients, physicians, payers, health plans and employees.

“The honor demonstrates a commitment to improve patient care throughout the community,” said Richard Fullmer, U Hospital executive director. “Technologies that link our patients, physicians and services help us provide care quickly and efficiently.”

The university supports interactive video and data transmission sites for the Utah Telehealth Network to help patients in the state’s rural communities, according to Pierre Pincetl, U Hospital chief information officer and assistant vice president for health sciences information technology services.

Among America’s Best

University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics is once again ranked among America’s Best Hospitals, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 13th annual survey of leading health-care institutions.

The report, published in the magazine’s July 22 issue, available this week, ranks 205 hospitals out of more than 6,000 in the country. This is the ninth time University Hospital has made the list.

“In a health-care environment where hospitals are being forced to close or consolidate just to compete, we are especially proud once again to be on the list of ‘America’s Best’ hospitals,” said Richard Fullmer, U Hospital executive director. “This pride is reflected in our continuing focus on providing the best and most cost-effective care for our patients.”

Interim Financial Chief

Gordon Crabtree has been named interim associate administrator for financial services for U Hospitals & Clinics.

“We are pleased that Gordon has joined us. His close relationship with state leaders and university officials, along with his fresh outlook, will greatly benefit the hospital,” said Rick Fullmer, executive director of U Hospitals & Clinics. “Gordon’s leadership will be invaluable as the hospital moves into the next year, with opportunities for new growth.”

Crabtree’s responsibilities will encompass all hospital finances, including accounting, patient financial services, the budget office, program review, contracting, patient access services, third-party reimbursement, medical records, payroll, accounts payable and decision support. He replaces Keri Anderson who is on a temporary leave of absence.

Before joining the U Hospital, Crabtree was managing director of finance for the Salt Lake Olympic Committee. He was also director of finance for the State of Utah from 1985-1995.

Crabtree graduated from Weber State University in accounting and received a master’s degree in business administration from the U.