Read the latest edition of MU Medicine magazine.
Research
The NextGen Precision Health Initiative will elevate the University of Missouri’s research capabilities.
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Wellness
Burnout is taking a severe toll on clinicians. Steve Keithahn wants to make MU a better place to practice medicine.
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To tackle the stress of medical school, students work with faculty to find ways to improve mental health.
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Education
The MU School of Medicine was singled out for outperforming expectations on the USMLE Step 1 and 2 tests in a recent study. MU’s patient-based learning curriculum is a possible factor in the students’ success.
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Missouri has a physician shortage. MU’s Rural Track Pipeline Program is part of the solution.
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Class of 1988 scholarship helps second-year medical student pursue her dream.
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CoxHealth Scholarship Gives Davis Another Pillar of Community Support
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Alumni News
For Dale Okorodudu, the path to more diversity in medicine begins with mentoring.
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In Memoriam
Bill Salzer, 1950-2019
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Letter from the Dean
Since last spring, I’ve worked with our faculty and other MU Health Care and campus leaders to develop an academic health system strategic plan. I want to particularly recognize the leadership of MU Health Care CEO Jonathan Curtright and university Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Latha Ramchand.
The success of the health system and the university are intertwined, which is why we need to coordinate on one strategic plan. The health system, which makes up about a third of the budget of the University of Missouri, must continue to grow to create efficiencies and support the academic mission. The School of Medicine plays a key role in the academic mission of the university, earning the research grants and publishing the high-impact articles that will ensure MU maintains its status as a successful member of the American Association of Universities.
The objectives of the strategic plan are: Make a distinct impact, grow our ability to serve and align MU’s capabilities in health. We are determining where we have the greatest opportunity to make an impact based upon our research strengths and population served. We are focusing on options to increase our clinical scale, services and overall efficiency. And we are considering ways to align, collaborate and effectively work with university colleagues.
In January and February, we will finalize the specifics of the plan and determine the implementation timeline and accountability measures.
Collaboration is the theme of many of our new endeavors, some of which you can read about in this magazine. The NextGen Precision Health Institute, which is being built next door, will bring together the best scientific minds from various schools and colleges on all four University of Missouri campuses. It will be a center for biomedical research — particularly in the fields of neurosciences, cancer and vascular disease — that will translate into better health for Missourians. The $220 million NextGen is the largest investment the UM system has made to advance research and innovation.
Another example is the Midwest Biomedical Accelerator Consortium (MBArC), a new program centered at MU that is funded by a National Institutes of Health grant. It will foster collaborations between investigators from all of the University of Missouri campuses and establish a robust research and educational link between MU and the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City and its partnering universities. The consortium will extend into six midwestern states and reach up to 16 universities, which will work together to transform biomedical innovations into small businesses whose products improve patient care.
We also must continue to collaborate in the areas of patient care and education. Each of us is a member of one or more teams that care for our patients and ensure their safety. Teaching our medical and graduate students, as well as training our residents and fellows, requires effective collaboration based on trust, communication and mutual effort.
Patient care, education and research are all parts of our mission. Those faculty, staff, residents and students who contribute to one or more of these aspects of our mission should all be recognized and appreciated.
I hope you enjoy reading about the latest accomplishments of our faculty, students and alumni who make us proud to be a part of the MU School of Medicine.
Steven Zweig, MD ’79, MSPH ’84
Interim Dean
Professor of Family and Community Medicine
University of Missouri School of Medicine
