The UK Board of Trustees Health Care Committee summarized its strategic plan Wednesday during its January retreat.

Members of the committee talked about a new diversity and inclusivity process, the collaborative partnership with the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and forecasts for opening new floors to Pavilion A of the UK Chandler Hospital.

A review of the College of Medicine applicant pool in Kentucky from 2010 to 2015 revealed a consistent increase of the number of African-American applicants, reaching 25 percent in 2015. Graduation rates for all medical students remain at 95 percent across all demographics.

“It’s really not about saying we have this number of this type of race, it’s about matching quite frankly the complexion of the community, not in terms of color, but in terms of age, sexual orientation and life experiences to those of our patients,” said Bo Cofield, vice president and chief clinical operations officer. “It’s clear that if you’re cared for by someone who understands your situation, you have better communication, and better communication is key to the best clinical outcomes.”

Cofield highlighted studying from successfully diverse hospitals and partnering with the Institute for Diversity in Health Management in the proposed process.

“It isn’t just about diversity and inclusivity, it’s about engaging our staff, our faculty and our patients,” Cofield said.

From 2011 to 2015 the number of out-of-state residents has increased. In 2011 there were only 11 percent out-of-state and 24 percent in-state residents. As of 2015, there were 32 percent out-of-state residents and 25 percent in-state residents.

UK Healthcare inpatient capacity is at its max nearly every day, according to Ann Smith, Chief Officer of UK Hospital. More than 75 percent of 128 new beds in Pavilion A will be occupied upon opening in CY2016. Due to the capacity problem, Smith said UK HealthCare must consider additional expansion of clinical capacity to support the planned service line growth.

In the summer of 2016, the ninth floor of Pavilion A in the Chandler Hospital will be completed and will be full the day it opens with current patients, according to Smith. The tenth floor of Pavilion A ,opening in CY2016, will have a total of 64 beds.

The recommendation of a complete fit-up of the fifth floor in pavilion A will cost $37 million. The decision is subject to the Board of Trustees approval during the next meeting in February.

The recommended solution would be paid through the hospital’s own budget, which does not come from the state.

UK HealthCare and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center have agreed to partner for pediatric heart care and the potential of extending the partnership beyond these services in the future. This will enable more Kentucky children to receive care closer to home.