Department of Learning Health Sciences
Revolutionizing Learning, Transforming Health

Join the first program in the United States to study learning at the individual to the national level.

A faculty addresses an audience during a symposium, with attendees seated and listening in the background.
Leading the Way in Learning

The Department of Learning Health Sciences (DLHS) is a first-in-the-nation basic science department focused on the sciences related to learning across multiple levels of scale-individual, group, organization, region and nation.

We work to improve health systematically by advancing the sciences that make learning effective, routine, and efficient. That's because we view learning as a continuous, never-ending process of discovery and implementation, leading to constant improvement and innovation.

As a department, we are committed to achieving three main goals: advancing research, providing education, and offering service programs.

Contact Us
Department of Learning Health Sciences
209 Victor Vaughan Building, 2054
1111 E. Catherine Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
About

Dive into our history and see how we've been revolutionizing learning and improving health.

Education

See how we train new researchers and practitioners who apply the sciences of learning.

Research

Discover how we generate new knowledge that can enhance learning at all levels of scale.

People

Meet our faculty, students and fellows who are translating medical knowledge into practice.

Service & Outreach

Explore our multidisciplinary approach to collaboration with researchers, institutions and communities.

Giving

Support us in leading health system innovation and empowering health professionals.

Learning As a Process of Discovery
A circular diagram illustrating a learning community model focused on addressing a health problem of interest.
Learning Health System Fundamentals

In a learning health system, the cycle of learning to change behavior and to improve outcomes applies to all workforce development, from individuals and groups to the system as a whole.

Watch A Video About Learning Health System Fundamentals
Logo for EMERSE, which stands for Electronic Medical Record Search Engine, with the letter 'e' stylized as a magnifying glass
EMERSE

EMERSE (Electronic Medical Record Search Engine) is software that helps researchers identify and extract important patient information like diagnoses, medications, procedures, and complications from clinical notes.

Explore EMERSE
Infographic depicting interconnected elements of a Learning Health System with icons representing education, family, technology, research, and healthcare
Learning Health Systems Journal

Our journal promotes interdisciplinary research aimed at advancing learning health systems that enable continuous improvement in health and healthcare through discovery and implementation.

Read the Learning Health Systems Journal
city tech stock image Stay In The Loop

Our department newsletter, The Loop, features faculty and education program news and awards, highlights of our research and education, collaborations across the medical school and the greater university and a message from the Chair. 

  • Read Our Recent Newsletters
  • Katie Lynch named CNAY 2025 Champion for Change
    Spotlight On
    HILS PhD student Katie Lynch named CNAY 2025 Champion for Change

    Congratulations to PhD candidate Katie Lynch on being named a Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) 2025 Champion for Change.

    Message From The Chair

    In today's rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the Department of Learning Health Sciences leads pioneering research and educational initiatives aimed at addressing the most pressing challenges in health, healthcare, and health equity.
    Through cutting-edge research, innovative teaching practices, and meaningful service, we are shaping the future of healthcare by developing systems that continuously adapt and improve, ensuring better outcomes for patients and communities alike.

    Chair, Department of Learning Health Sciences
    Gretchen Piatt
    Connect With Us
    Featured News & Stories See all news Michael Lanham
    Department News
    Dr. Michael Lanham Named Interim Chief Medical Information Officer for Michigan Medicine
    Faculty and staff in the Department of Learning Health Sciences are celebrating Dr. Michael Lanham on his appointment as Interim Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO) for Michigan Medicine.
    Vinod Vydiswaran
    Department News
    Vinod Vydiswaran Appointed Director of HILS Graduate Programs
    DLHS Chair, Dr. Gretchen Piatt announced the appointment of Dr. Vinod Vydiswaran as the new Director of the Health Infrastructures and Learning Systems (HILS) MS and PhD programs, effective July 1, 2025.
    John Donnelly (L) and Lisa Ferguson (R) holding awards
    Department News
    John Donnelly and Lisa Ferguson Honored with 2025 EBS Awards
    Two members of the Department of Learning Health Sciences (DLHS) have been recognized with 2025 Endowment for Basic Sciences (EBS) Awards.
    2025 Endowment for Basic Sciences Awards
    Medical School News
    Eighteen from UMMS honored with 2025 Endowment for Basic Sciences Awards
    Nine Medical School faculty members and nine research staff members have been recognized for their contributions to teaching and research with Endowment for Basic Sciences (EBS) Awards for 2025. Each of the nine UMMS basic science departments select a winner for each award. This year’s recipients received their awards June 12 during a ceremony in the Medical School.
    Louito C. Edje, M.D., MHPE, FAAFP
    Medical School News
    Louito C. Edje, M.D., MHPE, FAAFP, reelected to AMA Council on Medical Education
    Senior Associate Dean of Medical Education Louito C. Edje, M.D., MHPE, FAAFP, was reelected to the American Medical Association’s Council on Medical Education (CME). CME studies and evaluates all aspects of the medical education continuum and recommends national policies for medical and allied health education.
    group graduation photo
    Department News
    Cross-Border Collaboration Fosters Future Leaders in Medicine
    Three physician-researchers from China have completed a yearlong leadership development program at Michigan Medicine.