Final Agreement Reached with University of Minnesota Physicians and Fairview Health Services
Dear colleagues,
Today, we are sharing an exciting step forward in our journey to improve health and healthcare in Minnesota. The University of Minnesota has finalized agreements with University of Minnesota Physicians and Fairview Health Services, forging a new chapter in our relationship with both organizations.
Pending approval by the Board of Regents and our partners’ governing groups, these important agreements will take effect in January 2027.
We recognize that our community has experienced a prolonged period of uncertainty. We are deeply grateful for your steadfast commitment to our mission and to each other. These agreements provide much needed clarity and a path to restore trust while sustaining and strengthening health and healthcare in Minnesota.
Throughout negotiations, the University has been guided by its 175-year land-grant mission to serve Minnesota. The agreements are a springboard to sustaining and strengthening the University’s commitment to educate tomorrow's health and healthcare workforce, to discover groundbreaking cures and to improve the health of all Minnesotans.
A Strengthened Partnership with University of Minnesota Physicians
Our agreement with University of Minnesota Physicians strengthens our partnership. Through strong collaboration, together we will support the University’s vital research, education and clinical missions.
The agreement details University of Minnesota Physicians’ commitment to support the Medical School’s research and education missions and clarifies our shared governance structure, providing a key University leadership role for the CEO of University of Minnesota Physicians and a crucial fiduciary role for the EVPHA/Dean on the University of Minnesota Physicians board.
As part of this new chapter, we will partner closely to introduce an evolved University Minnesota Physicians brand that reflects the excellence and distinctiveness of the University of Minnesota Physicians and the University of Minnesota.
A Redefined Partnership with Fairview
The University’s agreement with Fairview defines how we will partner to drive world-class medical research and education, affirming our shared goals and Fairview's financial commitment to the University’s academic health mission.
As previously shared, with the expiration of our current agreement at the end of 2026, we have mutually agreed to phase out the "M Health Fairview" brand and Fairview’s use of the University’s "Block M."
For more than 175 years, the University’s land-grant mission has been to serve the people of our state. These agreements build on that legacy, ensuring support for the University’s academic and research mission, helping to fund the University of Minnesota Medical School and research that leads to lifesaving cures. The agreements also will fund much-needed facilities investments, updates, modernization and maintenance of hospitals on the University’s Minneapolis campus and create opportunities for the University to explore new and innovative ways to sustain and strengthen health and health care in Minnesota.
Looking Ahead
These agreements are an important foundation as we continue to educate Minnesota's future health and healthcare workforce, drive innovation through our Elevate Extraordinary 2030 strategic roadmap, and expand care across the state, particularly in rural areas.
We are committed to working collaboratively with University of Minnesota Physicians and Fairview to move health and healthcare forward in Minnesota. Together, we will sustain and strengthen the University’s impact and ensure it remains a premier destination for faculty, providers, researchers, and patients.
Thank you again for your ongoing support and for all you do to serve our University and Minnesota.
In gratitude,
Rebecca Cunningham, President
Carol Bradford, Interim Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Interim Dean, Medical School