Building a world-class academic health sciences center doesn’t happen overnight. Nor does it happen single-handedly.
The goal requires commitment, vision and a detailed roadmap.
For the past seven years, UNMC’s leaders have pursued excellence via strategies discussed at the Chancellor’s Annual Strategic Planning Retreat, a day designed to outline the campus’ direction for the next three years.
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The plan outlines campus goals, grouped under six critical success factors; the actions necessary to accomplish each goal; and the person(s) accountable for each goal. The update also informs employees of the progress that has been made in each area, as well as whether the actions have been fully or partially completed. “We have some challenges, but have gotten a lot accomplished during the past year,” said John Adams, Ph.D., assistant vice chancellor for budget and strategic planning. “We continually push our strategic planning goals and challenge ourselves to become an even stronger institution in every area.” The third quarter update is available on the Intranet (info.unmc.edu). Employees may access it via the ‘quick connects’ section by finding “2004-2007 strategic plan” and clicking on ‘progress report.’ |
The 2005-2008 retreat began March 25 with UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D. encouraging participants to think broadly and make big decisions. “Leaders shouldn’t be satisfied with modest goals,” he said, encouraging participants to “think big.”
“Big decisions have traction and will move the Medical Center forward, whereas, non-decisions are static,” he said.
“The retreat served to re-validate the strength of our current vision to become world-class, while also challenging us to take UNMC to even greater heights in service to the state and nation,” said Bob Bartee, executive assistant to the chancellor.
During the daylong retreat, two separate panels explored ways to improve UNMC’s entrepreneurial effectiveness and stay competitive in the global health care market. Subsequent sessions focused on specific aspects of the medical center’s various strategic goals:
- education (transitioning to learning-centered education),
- university/hospital partnership (communicating its strength),
- cultural competency (moving from diversity projects to a welcoming attitude),
- health care (controlling costs through prevention strategies),
- research (advancing biomedical research),
- community engagement (boosting our statewide impact),
- employee loyalty (valuing employees) and;
- entrepreneurship/new technologies (moving ideas into the marketplace).
In addition to UNMC leaders, representatives of UMA, the University of Nebraska Foundation, Central Administration and The Nebraska Medical Center attended the retreat at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center.