Much of the planning process includes sharing ideas and innovative ways to solve the challenges set before us. The Health Sciences Library proposed a novel idea of using an online system, VIVO, to identify connections and enhance networking among UVA faculty. The University has agreed to support the implementation of this system. In VIVO’s own words: it “is an open source, open ontology research discovery platform for hosting information about scientists, their interests, activities, and accomplishments.” In June, when this system is available, I hope you will go by the Library and check it out. I am excited at the prospects of this tool helping to make team-based science, innovative education, and clinical integration that much more of a reality.
I would like to thank everyone who came out to last week’s Diversity Retreat. We cannot reach excellence in our three missions without diversity of thought, ethnicity, perspective, and gender. The conversation was honest and refreshing. Maintaining an ongoing dialogue of inclusiveness will be key to our success. Though there is no quick fix, promoting diversity will have a lasting and positive effect on our School.
You can find a copy of the School’s Diversity Strategic Plan that was developed by the Diversity Workgroup here. We also recently posted interesting resource materials from other Workgroups and Mission Groups, including items addressing community engagement, preparing medical students for the new landscape of healthcare, and discussing the culture of respect in the workplace. You can find these and other topics by visiting https://med.virginia.edu/asp/ and looking under “Sample Reading List” on the left-hand navbar.
Sincerely,
Nancy E. Dunlap, MD, PhD, MBA
Dean, UVA School of Medicine
James Carroll Flippin Professor of Medical Science
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