news - Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences

A Roadmap for the FutureKCUMB Develops New Initiatives in Five-Year Strategic PlanStory by Natalie Lutzunit plans, which are department-based strategic plans thatsupport the broader institutional roadmap.Led by Larry Segars, Pharm.D., Dr. P.H., associateprofessor and chair of pharmacology and microbiology,the committee was tasked with identifying issues facingKCUMB and developing initiatives around them.“We wanted to give the Leadership Team input on whatfaculty and administrators felt was needed to advance theUniversity,” Dr. Segars said. “Our ultimate goal was to findthe most important action items campus-wide that theLeadership Team and the Board should consider as a partof the Strategic Plan. We wanted initiatives that were globaland not tied to individual departments.”While the Strategic Planning Committee was finalizingits recommendations (See “KCUMB’s Key Initiatives Underway”),the University’s Leadership Team was also developing aseries of metrics to help guide effective implementation ofthe plan. Called “KCUMB Pathways” and based upon thebalanced pathway model, this measurement componentof the Strategic Plan identifies four constituent groups andtheir perspectives, and includes objectives, baseline metrics,measurable goals, accountabilities and timelines.The key initiatives, which include development of along-term Campus Master Plan for the physical campusand the KCUMB Pathways plan, were presented in April toKCUMB’s Board of Trustees. The Board tentatively approvedthe initiatives and provided direction to develop financialfeasibility assessments.“These (recommendations) give us a good barometerby which to assess where we need to allocate our resources,”said Joe Massman, executive vice president for financeand operations, chief financial officer and chief operatingofficer, who serves as vice chair of the Strategic PlanningCommittee. “It helps create our vision of where we want togo and gives us direction.”Continued on page 6Guiding PrinciplesPart of the Strategic Planning process included reviewingand modifying KCUMB’s mission, vision and values.Adopted in 2011, these serve as the guiding principles forthe University and its Strategic Plan.The term strategic planning has become a commonbuzzword in today’s companies. Its definition is clear:envision a future and create a roadmap to get there.Yet, very few organizations successfully execute their plans.KCUMB is working to become the exception to the rule.In a university environment, decisions to strengthen orimprove a campus and its programs are made in the greatercontext of how they will ultimately impact the school’sconstituents – alumni, faculty and staff, the community inwhich it exists, and, most importantly, its students.As planning for KCUMB’s five-year Strategic Plan beganin fall 2010 and continued throughout 2011, an understandingof these constituents helped guide a group of committedUniversity faculty, staff, alumni and administrators as theytackled three key questions:Where are we going?How will we get there?How do we know when we have arrived?“As far back as I could determine, the University developed,but never fully implemented, a Strategic Plan,” said H.Danny Weaver, D.O. (COM ’84), FACOFP, KCUMB presidentand chief executive officer. “I felt it was important to helpdrive that process and to get various constituents’ input ona strategic vision for the university based on each constituencywe represent.”Once the initial plan was developed in late summer 2011(See “A Closer Look at KCUMB’s Five-Year Strategic Plan” on Page 7),the next step was identifying key initiatives that would helpKCUMB best reach its strategic goals.“KCUMB and higher education, in general, are facingsignificant challenges,” Dr. Weaver said. “Whether it berising tuition and student debt, the health-care needs of ourcommunity, or meeting our mission and goals, the initiativesneeded to reflect an understanding of what we are facing as aninstitution.”Dr. Weaver appointed a Strategic Planning Committeeto evaluate tactical proposals set forth in the University’sKansas City University of Medicine andBiosciences is a community of professionalscommitted to excellence in the education of highlyqualified students in osteopathic medicine, the biosciences,bioethics and the health professions. Through life-long learning,research and service, KCUMB challenges faculty, staff, students andalumni to improve the well being of the diverse community it serves.Integrity: Demonstrating respect, honesty and professionalismCompassion: Caring for students, patients, colleagues and all humanityExcellence: Achieving quality in all that we doCollaboration: Working with others to achieve mutual goalsIntellectual Curiosity: Pursuing personal and professional growthInnovation: Embracing new practices to improve outcomesHeritage: Honoring the legacy of our pastKCUMB will be recognized as a nationalleader in education, research, clinicalpractice and service.4 Summer 2012 KCUMB CommunicatorSummer 2012 KCUMB Communicator 5