Incredible progress celebrated at 2024 State of the College address
It has been a tremendous year at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Efforts that begin at the academic institution to transform the health of our communities contribute to saving lives. So does honoring our commitment to educate the next generation of clinicians, scientists and leaders, explains Carol R. Bradford, MD, MS, FACS, dean of the Ohio State College of Medicine.
Dr. Bradford delivered the 2024 State of the College Address on Thursday, Oct. 10 in the Forum of the new Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Center. Faculty, staff, learners and leaders gathered to celebrate significant accomplishments from the past fiscal year and gain momentum for the excellent work that lies ahead.
Dr. Bradford set the stage by recognizing how the collective innovative work contributes to the inclusive and innovative education, discovery and care at the college. As does embracing a commitment to shared success.
“I hope that every day you see how your amazing work ladders up to this ambition and that you feel our culture is one where you are valued and able to thrive,” Dr. Bradford says. “Your passion is fueling the advancements that will benefit our patients and their families for generations to come."
Dr. Bradford shared some fiscal year 2024 points of pride, including highlights of advancements in research, access to health care in the community and innovative educational and well-being support. She also highlighted efforts in translational and foundational science and the support and protected research time provided to develop research leaders, especially promising early-and-mid-career clinician-scientists.
Amal Amer, MD, PhD, professor of microbial infection and immunity and vice chair of translational research at the Ohio State College of Medicine shared about a $15 million federal grant underway to find a solution to long COVID. Prosper Boyaka, PhD, chair of veterinary biosciences and Estelle Cormet-Boyaka, PhD, and Jianrong Li, DMV, PhD, both professors of veterinary biosciences at the Ohio State University, discussed the expected outcomes of the five-year long study.
Transforming the health of our communities was illustrated through the important work taking place at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Healthy Community Center on Columbus’ near-east side. It is a hub for the neighborhood, focusing on promoting healthier lifestyles. Joshua Joseph, MD, associate professor of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism and the center’s medical director and Javonte McDonald, the center’s director, shared about the programming and people improving health and wellness.
Dr. Bradford then shared how a key focus on education — the very heart of the college’s tripartite mission — centers ensuring learner’s feel supported and have access to mental health and well-being resources. Kim Doran and Anne Hinze, both learning specialists at the college and student counselor, Lora Eberhard from the college’s Office of Student Life, gave a moving story about Time Out Tuesday (TOT), a lunch program that supports students as they prepare to take their first medical board exam. TOT is quickly becoming a national model for other institutions to strengthen their community to support students and create connections with the community.
The event closed with a presentation by Jordan Lukens, MD. He shared his educational journey at Ohio State, time spent serving as the historic school mascot, Brutus, earning his medical degree from the College of Medicine and now serving as a resident of emergency medicine at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
“What we do here matters,” Dr. Bradford says. “Our size is one of our greatest strengths, providing an unparalleled wealth of opportunities and support. The sky is the limit for The Ohio State University College of Medicine, and I cannot wait to see where we will go next.”
