University of Florida College of Dentistry faculty, staff and students participated in the launch of the 2019-2024 Strategic Planning Process in May and June, with a goal of having a completed plan ready for launch by December 2017.
A series of town halls for DMD students, staff and faculty on June 21 and 22, and a reception marked the official start of the process, following the initial formation of a steering committee and four workgroups in May. A town hall session for residents is scheduled in August.
“We officially begin our journey to develop a new Strategic Plan that will serve as the guiding framework for our college’s priorities and growth for the next five years, said A. Isabel Garcia, D.D.S., M.P.H., dean of the college.
In May, an online survey collected perceptions of UFCD’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as the opportunities and challenges that respondents saw as facing dental education today and in the future.
“The survey feedback was very thoughtful, covered a range of topics that are critically important to address in depth through the working groups. The richness of the comments conveys a clear passion, commitment and engagement in this collaborative process and the amount of positive comments from so many of you underscores your collective pride and belief in our college’s future.
A steering committee was created to help drive the process but the real creative force behind the new plan will come from four working groups that care focusing on research, education, patient care, and institutional growth, support and advancement.
A page on the shared governance area of our website includes details about the working groups and their membership, steering committee membership, relevant links to more information and more.
Dr. David Guzick, senior vice president for health affairs at UF and president of UF Health, spoke during the reception June 21, and congratulated the college on the project’s kickoff and the overall strengths of our program, noting that the dental school is well-known for its excellence.
There are many outside considerations that are important to incorporate into the plan – the changing landscape of academic dentistry, emerging technologies for teaching and delivering oral health care, and changes in the way we deliver education, scientific achievements, and fund all of these pursuits.
“In articulating our common goals and what our measures of success will be, we can better focus our energies and resources to ensuring this college’s continued excellence as an institution and great place to learn, discover and provide care,” Garcia said.
Note: We want to encourage all students, residents, staff, faculty, and alumni and friends to share any input on the strategic plan by emailing or talking in person with members of the steering committee or workgroups. All members are listed on the strategic planning website, as well as areas of focus for each of the workgroups. Please note that meetings are open to those interested in attending so if there are specific areas of interest, please feel free to engage.