2009-10 State of the School Address Outlines Strategic Goals for the Coming Year, Presents Vision for Northwestern Medicine
J. larryJameson, MD, PHD, vice president for medical affairs and Lewis landsberg dean of the feinberg school of medicine, presents the State of the School Address. |
The Feinberg School of Medicine community assembled on October 19 to listen to the 2009-10 State of the School Address. The forward-looking event was led by J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, vice president for medical affairs and Lewis Landsberg Dean of the Feinberg School of Medicine.
In his address, Jameson discussed the realities faced by the medical school due to the difficult economic times. While the financial challenges have had a major impact on educational institutions across the country, his outlook was optimistic concerning Feinberg’s ability to garner continued financial support from organizations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
“This is a time of rapid scientific advancements,” Jameson said. “All of us should be speaking to our representatives about what we do and the importance of funding it. We need to advocate effectively for research.”
The tone remained encouraging, as Jameson discussed new opportunities to engage Northwestern University president, Morton Shapiro, PhD, and outlined the medical school’s strategic goals for the coming year.
These goals — to provide an outstanding, contemporary educational experience that attracts the very best students and residents; develop a distinct, collaborative, high-impact research enterprise; and support and encourage students, staff and faculty to assume leadership roles — were met with an appeal to all members of the Feinberg community, who each have an important role to play in helping the medical school to achieve excellence in patient care, research, education and service.
“I want the faculty to focus on the excitement happening in science and medicine, innovate, and think across disciplines,” Jameson said. “We want students to seek opportunities to be broadly engaged in the school. And, staff, share your enthusiasm with others, and bring more talented people to Feinberg.”
He continued by highlighting accomplishments in areas like research and education, acknowledging individuals who represent the creative energy and talent that is present throughout the enterprise.
These people included Blayne Sayed, a student in the Medical Scientist Training Program who was recently awarded a Herbert W. Nickens scholarship; Laty Cahoon, a PhD student in the Integrated Graduate Program in Life Sciences whose research was published in Science; Russell Robertson, MD, the new chair of the Department of Family Medicine who is leading the launch of the Physician Assistant Program; C. Shad Thaxton, MD, PhD, whose research in nanotechnology is helping to detect prostate cancer earlier; Melina Kibbe, MD, a vascular surgeon honored with a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers and selected by NUCATS to be awarded one of the first Drew Senyei, MD, Translational Research Awards; David Cella, PhD, named chair of the newly developed Department of Medical Social Sciences; and Matthew Durno, a staff member from the Office of Development who was named 2009 Employee of the Year.
Dean M. Harrison, president and chief executive officer of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare discusses the Northwestern Medicine initiative. |
Dean M. Harrison, president and chief executive officer of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, joined Jameson to present a topic of great anticipation: the implementation phase of Northwestern Medicine, a joint vision with Northwestern Memorial Hospital to become one of the nation’s elite academic medical centers.
“The plan to accelerate Northwestern’s recognition as “The Great Academic Medical Center” has a destination to be Top 10 by 2020,” Harrison said. “Northwestern Medicine will be an endorsement for what we do and where we practice … a brand promise for patients, students and employees.”
With integrated goals of delivering exceptional care, advancing medical science and knowledge, and developing people, culture and resources, this collaboration among clinical partners mirrors Jameson’s strategic vision for Feinberg.
“To be successful, we need to be able to align our planning, and use our resources judiciously, so that they foster the innovation that ultimately has an impact,” Jameson said.