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An innovative Health Management Education Partnership (HMEP) was initiated to develop management education initiatives through the exchange of information and ideas. Health education efforts, projects and activities exist between the University of Scranton and three strategic partners in the Slovak Republic: Trnava University, the Health Management School and the University of Matej Bel. The BRIDGE model (Building Relationships in Developing and Growing Economies) utilizes several innovative educational initiatives and strategic projects including a professional journal, faculty development, professional development, curriculum development, certification and accreditation, faculty-students exchange and development of educational materials and modules. The BRIDGE organizational structure is reviewed as well as specific workplan objectives to operationalize the HMEP encouraging mutual cooperation, collaboration and sustainability of efforts. The model stresses implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all initiatives through a strong community effort, focus on research, deployment of educational resources, curriculum modification, development of interpartnership activities, conferences, workshops, fieldwork experiences and study tours. Applied management practices enhance market-oriented solutions to health care delivery problems emphasizing a focus on privatization and entrepreneurship through education.

This article provides a conceptual framework for understanding changes occurring in the accreditation process for institutions of higher learning in the Slovak Republic. Health sector transformation is occurring rapidly throughout the Central and Eastern European region as former socialist states are experimenting with market-oriented approaches. Educators and universities are playing an important role in the development of knowledge, skills and abilities of current and future health practitioners. Accreditation is viewed as an important process in the continuing development of quality health service management curricula and preparing competent practitioners for the health care field. Historical considerations are examined as well as future directions for accreditation in the Slovak Republic.

Results of ongoing cooperation of four educational institutions in the field of Health Management Education in Slovakia are reviewed. The specific benefit of multilateral collaboration for the situation in central Europe is discussed in the context of a Health Management Education Partnership (HMEP). The project is based on a grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with assistance from the American International Health Alliance (AIHA). The U.S. partner is the University of Scranton, Scranton, Pennsylvania. Three organizations are involved in the partnership from the Slovak Republic: Trnava University, University of Matej Bel in Banska Bystrica and the Health Management School (HMS) in Bratislava, each having specific priority and focus in health management education. The HMEP program is designed to reach about 30 teachers of health administration as well as 200 undergraduates, senior and middle managers from health service organizations every year. The collaborative endeavor stimulates the communication and creation of personal and human relations, not only on an individual and institutional level, but on a community as well as national and international level. The project supports the development of knowledge and skills, professional identity and educational processes in health management. The emphasis is on increasing the quality of education and training in Slovakia through multilateral collaboration, curricula development, professional development, symposia, support of consultancies and accreditation. Specific areas of content are designed to address health policy, law, ethics, insurance and quality improvement.