New Health Sciences System Webpage Sliding into Place

The University of New Mexico Health Sciences webpages are undergoing a major overhaul designed to make it easier for users to navigate.

The first access to the UNM Health System by most people begins with the UNM Health Sciences webpages. The big question has long been one of how to showcase the myriad of Health Sciences programs and projects while at the same time ensuring that there is a cohesive look to those pages.

Easier said than done.

"Our programs are varied - everything from the mountain medicine rescue program to pediatrics," says Alex Sanchez, the UNM Health Sciences public information officer. "At times, this has led to a look that was not cohesive. Our goal with the webpage remodel has been to strengthen the 'look' of our webpages while giving individual departments the tools they need to show case their programs."

In the past, some pages have been difficult for those unfamiliar with the Health Sciences system to navigate. Others have looked great - but not particularly like they were part of an academic health system - an issue that can also confuse users, according to Sanchez.

"Patients, students, residents, researchers - our audiences are wide and varied," she says. "At the same time, The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center is one of the largest most diverse systems in the state."

The redesign focus is to create web pages that are user-friendly, whether that user is a potential student, health care professional or patient.

The Public Information Office is working with Stamats, a longtime academic website vendor based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to redesign Health Sciences webpages for optimal department flexibility while strengthening the Health System brand, Sanchez says.

"We have been evaluating best practices and making a schedule of redesigns. While some departments have already started their redesigns, the majority will start in early 2020," Sanchez says.

CLIVE is one new feature helping to drive a unique experience for each user. By hitting a hot key, (for instance, a 'learn more about our residency program') the user initiates a computer experience tailored to his or her needs.

Additional pages might prompt a potential applicant to find out about admission deadlines or requirements for a particular residency program. An expectant mom surfing the clinical areas would find resources she needs tailored to her particular stage of pregnancy, Sanchez says.

Yet all users would be seeing the same background templates, whether searching for research trials, medical services or physical therapy.

The web team is now scheduling meetings early in 2020 with departments to begin training on web writing best practices according to Sanchez.

A number of trainings will be offered in the coming months. Those who would like to schedule a session for their departments should contact Sanchez at alexsanchez@salud.unm.edu.

"We'll begin meeting with departments to discuss the process in early 2020 and expect to start moving content into the new educational templates in January and February, and then move to the clinical pages," Sanchez says.

"Our goal is for departments to take charge of their respective webpages after the remodel is in place," she says. "We recommend department web teams review their current webpages now and make a list of changes they would like to see. The more work you can do now in determining what you'd like to keep, omit or change will help ease the transition to the new design."

Backup support will continue from the Health Sciences web team. Minor updates are still being made by the web team and departments can contact them at hsc-webteam@salud.unm.edu. Departments will also need approval for any changes so that branding standards can be maintained.

The web team is also sponsoring bi-weekly phone calls that are open to interested departmental teams. To participate, dial into the conference line at 1-866-814-9555 and enter conference code 9423098844. The next call takes place January 22 at 9 a.m.