I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday with some time for renewal. On January 4th, I sent out a department-wide email, outlining the department’s key focus areas for 2016. Here’s an abbreviated version of those priorities, which were developed last fall based on a “SWOT” (strengths/weaknesses/ opportunities/threats) analysis:
Developing a sustainable financial model:
A new model for “funds flow” in the department is being implemented, with the goal of producing a more predictable and transparent method for determining DOM mission and clinical areas that need additional funding from the School of Medicine and the UVA Medical Center.
Growing the research mission:
The department anticipates recruiting and hiring several new clinical research faculty in 2016; we will also be working to strengthen support both for existing faculty research programs and for junior faculty seeking first-time funding.
Enhancing educational efforts:
In our educational programs, we will place an increased emphasis on patient safety, quality of care and health outcomes, for trainees at all levels – medical students, residents and fellows. We will also explore ways to address the growing tension between, and competing demands of, patient care and teaching, to ensure that our trainees are well-equipped to shape the future of academic medicine.
Leading the way in clinical care:
The department has experienced rapid growth in its clinical services over the last several years. In 2016, our focus will be on developing key differentiating services, and on expanding utilization of our services by UVA employees and the surrounding community.
Becoming the safest place to get care:
We will continue to expand our efforts to improve quality and safety in patient care, in support of the Medical Center’s “Be Safe” initiative. Areas of focus will include reducing mortality associated with sepsis; improving the process for accepting outside transfers; reducing preventable readmissions; and continuing efforts to redesign inpatient services to be more patient-centered and focused on quality and safety.
Increasing diversity in our community:
Inclusion and mutual respect will continue to be guiding principles for the DOM community. We need to work harder, however, to make the department more representative of the diversity in our surrounding community, and recruitment efforts will reflect that goal. We will also continue outreach efforts to local schools, and partnerships with community service organizations.
I am indebted to all of you for your contributions; I am amazed, every day, at the incredible things we are doing to improve peoples’ lives. We have problems to solve, processes to improve, issues to work on — but I’m optimistic that together, we’ll make the department a better place to work, teach and learn in 2016.
With best wishes for a happy and healthy new year,
Mitch
Filed Under: Message from the Chair
Tags: DOM