During President John Langell’s report to the Board of Trustees at its meeting Wednesday, Sept. 8, he outlined various reasons why NEOMED is in outstanding shape. Dr. Langell discussed the University’s financial strength due to sound management of assets, market strength and efficiencies realized through NEOMED members’ use of Lean Six Sigma principles. He added that NEOMED was well-positioned in medical education and for growth with the introduction of new programs; the redesign of some existing ones; and leading the way in how current and future health professionals are developed. Dr. Langell offered the Master of Medical Science in Anesthesia and the Master of Leadership in Health Systems Science as just two examples of degree programs in the works, and cited other initiatives ― a dental school and Neurosciences Institute ― that are being explored.
Our campus is also safe and quite healthy. Dr. Langell shared that our total campus vaccination rate is 96%, with 93% of employees and 99% of students disclosing that they have been vaccinated. [Editor’s note: These figures are from three weeks ago.] Dr. Langell attributed the high numbers to the fact that members of the NEOMED community are largely supportive of the science that we teach. He added that while the choice program was still in place, NEOMED’s vaccination requirement for those without exceptions will be effective Dec. 17, 2021.
With Dr. Langell’s remarks, the great work by NEOMED’s faculty, staff, and students was also on full display.
- Diversity, equity and inclusion: 30% of the College of Medicine’s first-year class are underrepresented minority students.
- Investing in faculty: Salary benchmarking and development
- Creating transformational leaders: VITALS and NEOvations Bench to Bedside
- Partnerships: University Hospital rotations and Summa Health’s grand opening on NEOMED’s campus
And as other initiatives were shared by leadership members via committee reports, it was evident that each aligned with the objectives of the strategic plan endorsed by the Board last September.
In other actions, the Board of Trustees saluted two long-time members: Paul Bishop and Chander M. Kohli, M.D. It also announced two firsts ― Mr. Bishop as the first-ever Emeritus Trustee and Dr. Kohli as the first-ever Distinguished Professor of Neurosurgery.
The Board re-elected Rick McQueen and Phillip Trueblood as board chair and vice chair, respectively. Tim Timken, who was present, was announced as Dr. Kohli’s successor.
Photo (L to R): Richard McQueen, President Langell and Phillip Trueblood