David E. Lewis, Vice President for IT
It is truly an exciting time at the University of Rochester. The Meliora Challenge, the largest capital campaign in the University’s history, was launched during Meliora Weekend in October. The Challenge seeks to raise $1.2 billion to advance the University’s place as a leader in research, teaching, health care, performance, and service. Promoted funding opportunities include supercomputing in research and the establishment of a Digital Media and Innovation Center, which would support the interdisciplinary study and creation of new media technologies.
On December 8, the Finger Lakes region won $68.8 million from New York State for economic development, $5 million of which will support a partnership between the University and IBM for supercomputing in health science research. This funding will facilitate biomedical research through a new Health Sciences Center for Computational Innovation with the high-speed computing resources provided by the Center for Integrated Research Computing.
Amid these major announcements, information technology staff across the University continue to aim higher and provide advanced technology support for University activities. For the first time, the Meliora Weekend keynote address—delivered this year by former President Bill Clinton—was streamed live. Users on campus and off could connect to the stream via the University’s networks, creating an opportunity for all students, faculty, staff, and alumni to enjoy the event.
The new electronic medical record system, eRecord, was successfully launched at Strong Memorial Hospital in March and at Highland Hospital in June. Expanding to ambulatory services in summer 2012, eRecord will further unify patient information, improving communication among caregivers and the quality and safety of patient care.
The creation of mobile applications has helped the University stay connected on the go, and more features and functionality continue to be added. The second version of UR Mobile, released on Apple iOS and Android platforms in October, includes Blackboard access and parking information. Futurity, the scientific news application hosted by the University, has expanded beyond North America and the United Kingdom to include findings from top research universities in Australia.
I welcome you to learn more about our other recent initiatives in the 2010-2011 IT Annual Report, which showcases how the innovative use of technology helps build for the future and make the University ever better.
Meliora!
