Longtime med center cardiologist John Windle, MD, has been named UNMC’s first associate vice chancellor for healthcare artificial intelligence, Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, announced today.
Dr. Windle’s named chair, funded through the University of Nebraska Foundation, also has been renamed as the Richard and Mary Holland Presidential Chair for Healthcare Artificial Intelligence.
Operational goals
- Build a sustainable business model for Healthcare AI at UNMC.
- Establish a technical committee to evaluate the feasibility of proposed plans (support for an AI incubator).
- Create a continuous AI horizon-scanning function.
- Establish a national AI funding and partnership program.
- Develop an enterprise AI portfolio management system.
“Artificial intelligence has emerged as a key part of our daily lives and as a driver for transforming all areas of our healthcare mission including the educational, clinical and research aspects in profound ways that makes it a major strategic priority for UNMC,” Dr. Davies said. “It is important for me to appoint a leader whose sole focus is on AI, who can help ensure that the myriad of possibilities it promises are realized on our campus and beyond, while being mindful of its risks.
Dr. Davies said that Dr. Windle brings not only extensive experience in AI, but also “an understanding of our campus, and a demonstrated history of strong partnerships across and outside the NU system in his current role as the director of the Center for Intelligent Health Care, as a previous department chair and decades-long as a faculty member. He is a perfect fit for this new position.”
No new state funding was necessary to support Dr. Windle’s new role, Dr. Davies said. Although Dr. Windle’s role will focus extensively on the research and teaching missions of UNMC, he will work closely with UNMC’s clinical partners in approaching AI through a holistic lens.
“Artificial intelligence is here, but where it is going is really unknown,” Dr. Windle said. “What we will do at UNMC is to stay focused on our strengths: collaboration, agility and the development of unique AI solutions that advance science and improve the health of Nebraskans.”
As associate vice chancellor, Dr. Windle will co-chair UNMC’s Campus Steering Committee for Healthcare Artificial Intelligence and be accountable for ensuring the committee’s mission and goals are accomplished. (See sidebar for committee membership). Dr. Windle also will provide oversight and directly supervise a future director of the UNMC Center for Intelligent Health Care, a position he will temporarily continue to serve in until a successor is chosen.
“This new position is tied directly to our current strategic plan, to ensure that our priorities related to AI are realized and that they have a direct positive impact on all our strategic goals,” Dr. Davies said. “Dr. Windle will also coordinate with our clinical partners to establish and maintain a shared vision for AI, and then ensure our plan and actions deliver on that vision.”
In his position, Dr. Windle will serve as a liaison to the NU AI Institute directors: Santosh Pitla, PhD, and Adrian Wisnicki, PhD. Dr. Windle will report to the UNMC Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, with a dotted line to Chancellor Davies.