ICAHSM was developed by the SPH to provide advanced professional training in health services administration specifically designed for international markets.  Professors Michael A. Counte and James C. Romeis are Co-Directors of the Center.  Professor Counte has considerable experience with international health systems management education and directs the MHA-T degree program.  Professor Romeis has worked closely with Professor Counte in the development of the MHA-T having 6 years of teaching experience in the program and was the Director of the SPH doctoral program for 12 years.  

SLUSPH has affiliation agreements with National Yang Ming University, Fu Jen University, Chang Gung University, Chung Shan Medical and Dental School, Taipei Medical University, ROC and Dalian Medical University, PRC.  In addition, ICAHSM has visited and begun discussions with the Centre for Health Management Sciences, in Lahore, Pakistan.  Appointing faculty from our partner institutions makes it is possible to have the SPH and host country mentors and research collaborators.  Such a structure for collaboration is unique, enhances the quality of the DrPH and MHA training programs immeasurably and provides an incentive for scholarly research and consultative collaboration.  

The ICAHSM is an umbrella organization with four functional areas of excellence:  

• Graduate level instruction (MHA, DrPH) and courses in health service management (provided by SLU and select local faculty with academic credit offered through Saint Louis University)  

• Management development programs for practicing health care executives and clinical managers  

• Tailored, organizational service and consultation projects  

• Organization or system-specific applied health services research   

There are other types of specific activities that will be worthy of development but there are specific programmatic emphases that are continually emphasized by the ICAHSM. These priorities are:   

• An emphasis on true collaboration between SLU and its joint-venture partners.  

• A focus upon managerial competencies or skills that are essential to effective leadership.  

• Understanding of how health care managers need to help their organizations respond to the introduction of a managed care environment.  

• An applied or hands-on orientation to managerial skill building.  

• Continuous quality improvement of health care organizational processes and clinical outcomes.