Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., wants economic development to be a natural extension of UNMC’s mission.
In fact, the topic took center stage March 23 at the Chancellor’s Eighth Annual Strategic Planning Retreat, a day designed to outline the campus’ direction for the next three years, as well as explore strategies for excellence.
“As an economic engine for the state and region, we need to blend economic development into all of our activities and embed it into our missions of teaching, research and outreach,” said UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D.
During the daylong retreat, panel members representing the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and McCarthy Group Inc., discussed why economic development is a critical role for academic health science centers, as well as how effective UNMC is in promoting economic development.
Participants also engaged in breakout sessions that addressed economic development issues, including UNMC’s top priorities for increasing economic development in the areas of education, research, community partnerships, cultural competence, technology development and employee loyalty.
“There was a lot of innovation at this retreat,” said John Adams, Ph.D., assistant vice chancellor for budget and strategic planning at UNMC. “Rather than doing the traditional strategic update, we took time to explore new ideas along with introducing the notion of economic development and how it permeates all of our activities.”
The groups also explored the following five “big ideas” that span UNMC’s critical success factors:
- Establishing a College of Public Health – Participants discussed the idea of creating a College of Public Health and how that would benefit Nebraska.
- Enhancing UNMC’s role in global health — Participants discussed UNMC’s global roles in education, research and patient care, as well as how to better coordinate global health activities.
- Creating a center for interdisciplinary education – Participants discussed the idea of creating a structure to support interdisciplinary activities and the possible outcomes.
- Expanding UNMC’s clinical research-rural focus – Participants discussed opportunities for expanding rural focused clinical research and how doing so would benefit Nebraska.
- Utilizing emerging communication technologies – Participants discussed opportunities to use such new communications tools as blogging and podcasting to convey UNMC’s message to its publics.
The retreat provided leaders an opportunity to explore the five initiatives, which were first introduced by the Chancellor’s Council last fall. “Further work will be required to flush out the ideas discussed at the retreat,” Dr. Adams said. “As we progress, the Chancellor’s Council will consider appropriate actions.”
“The planning retreat plays an essential role in shaping the medical center’s future and in making sure everyone is working toward the same goals,” Dr. Maurer said. “Competing goals and distractions will appear throughout the year. We must prepare for it, but not give up on our strategic plan.”
In preparation for the retreat, participants reviewed the latest edition of UNMC planning information and quality indicators, a compilation of data and current initiatives. The 2006 version can be found on the UNMC Intranet.
In addition to UNMC leaders, representatives of UNMC Physicians, the University of Nebraska Foundation, Central Administration, UNMC Student Senate and The Nebraska Medical Center attended the retreat at Westside Community Center.
Dr. Adams said the updated strategic plan would be reviewed and possibly adopted by the Chancellor’s Council on May 9. Watch UNMC Today for updates.