“The path from dreams to success does exist. May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get on to it and the perseverance to follow it.”
– Kalpana Chawla, American astronaut and aerospace engineer, and the first woman of Indian origin to fly to space
Earlier this month, Ohio State celebrated the arrival of Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. as our university’s 17th president. I am delighted to welcome President Carter to the Buckeye family and eager to begin the collaborative work that will advance our mutual goals across the university, College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center.
In a video message, President Carter shared his passion for service and his dedication to our land-grant values. I was pleased to hear him reference student success as his “ultimate North Star.” This reminded me of just how critical the identification of a North Star – or a vision – is to any organization, including one as multi-faceted as ours.
At the College of Medicine, we are committed to our ambition of transforming the health of our communities through inclusive and innovative education, discovery and patient-centered care. And as the Wexner Medical Center’s current strategic plan nears its conclusion, we are also supporting the development of the next chapter for the enterprise.
Under the leadership of our CEO John J. Warner, MD, the medical center recently launched a strategic planning effort that encompasses the breadth of our tripartite mission. Once in place, this plan will serve as the medical center’s roadmap for the next seven to 10 years, and it will connect our work in vital ways to the land-grant, community-focused mission that serves as the very foundation of Ohio State.
Obtaining feedback from faculty, staff and learners is an ongoing and essential aspect of this planning process. Through a variety of mechanisms, our organization has been asked a fundamental question, the answers to which will define and hone our shared vision and foster a collective identity for our teams.
The question is this: Who do we want to be?
It is a simple question, I know, but it rarely leads to simple answers. From creating groundbreaking solutions that tackle society’s biggest challenges to enhancing patient experience and outcomes to helping learners reach their full potential – and everything in between – our priorities as an academic medical center are plentiful, powerful and important.
By establishing a compelling shared vision for our medical center, we will be able to set strategic priorities and make crucial decisions that align with our desired future and the future of Ohio State with President Carter as our leader. This vision will be a constant, guiding presence that keeps us on track and reminds us why our journey – and our perseverance throughout that journey – is so worthwhile.
With the start of this new year, I encourage all of you to think about who we want to be and engage with the strategic planning process. Together, we will envision what is possible and, through our collective courage and collaboration, make it happen.
Dean, College of Medicine
Leslie H. and Abigail S. Wexner Dean’s Chair in Medicine
Vice President for Health Sciences, Wexner Medical Center