MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN OF MEDICINE
July 17, 2007
The School of Medicine recently received the final report from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). I am pleased to say that the report was extremely favorable, and the Committee voted to continue accreditation of the educational program at UTMB for an eight-year term.
In its report, the LCME noted that the “school’s faculty members demonstrate enthusiastic commitment to medical student education that embraces curricular innovation and the promotion of active learning through the Integrated Medical Curriculum.” The report also notes that “the School continues a long-standing commitment to recruit, matriculate and graduate underrepresented minority students, as well as students from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds.”
I want to take this opportunity to again thank everyone who was involved with the LCME process, and commend our faculty for their commitment to our teaching-intensive curriculum. This report is an affirmation of the strength of our educational program, and we should all take pride in that accomplishment.
During June I met with a second small faculty focus group session. One of the topics that came up in that group was access to the Faculty Lounge. I am pleased to announce that as of September 1, 2007, there will be no fee for faculty to join the Faculty Lounge. We hope to encourage the use of the lounge by all faculty members as an informal way to meet your colleagues and as a place to bring potential recruits who are on campus for an interview.
In recent months we have shared the clinical strategic plan with the clinical departments, the Schools of Nursing and Allied Health, and this month have begun sharing the plan with the basic science departments. Many who are new to UTMB have told us they did not realize that UTMB had so many off-island clinics. I am including a link to the map of our Community Based Clinics for your information, and for you to share with your family and friends
www.utmb.edu/map/clinics.asp.
In a previous message, I wrote to you about a joint effort with the Hospital to improve patient care and satisfaction. UTMB will be working with the Studer Group to improve the patient care experience. You will be hearing more about the plan in future months, as we begin the evaluation process that serves as the foundation of the program.
As you know, this is hurricane season, and the School of Medicine has posted its Hurricane Weather plan here
http://www.som.utmb.edu/news/news_weathertoc.html. The safety of our students and patients is paramount, as well as the safety of you and your family. In addition, the most recent issue of the School of Medicine electronic newsletter is available here
http://www.som.utmb.edu/e-NEWS/2006/Jul%201%20'07.htm.
We are working diligently on the School of Medicine budget, and are making progress toward a break even budget for this year. Special thanks to our department chairs and administrators, and others on campus who are working with us toward this goal.
Please join us August 7 at 5:15 in Levin Hall North for the Faculty of Medicine meeting. The agenda will include a budget review and an overview of the next six months in the School of Medicine.