Strategic Framework

The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health strategic framework was finalized in April 2023 by an 11-member steering committee with input from seven committees and more than 450 faculty, staff and learners. It was endorsed by the school’s Academic Planning Council. This framework is intended to be actionable and inspiring, adding value to the development of targeted strategic plans from more than 90 major units in the school such as departments, centers, institutes and programs.

Unit strategic plans are aligned with the framework, formulating goals and objectives that correspond to the strategic pillars. Progress towards goal achievement are monitored. Thus, the strategic framework sets the foundation for progress, coordinating activities across the many different disciplines within the school. Scaffolding goals and objectives to strategic pillars is a tangible way to practice the continuous improvement that is needed to advance the school’s highest priorities and pursue our shared vision of healthy people and healthy communities.

Pillars and Goals

Promoting Health and Health Equity

  • Identify the health impacts of structural inequities and injustices and develop solutions that improve individual and population health.
  • Evaluate and implement ways to create meaningful and sustainable health and health equity.
  • Promote equitable access to quality health care through our teaching, research, practice and advocacy.

Pursuing Excellence in Teaching and Learning

  • Excel at innovative teaching methodologies that engage our school’s community.
  • Emphasize an inclusive, scholarly team approach to integrate the teaching of basic, clinical, and translational sciences and public health.
  • Inspire a community of engaged lifelong learners.

Advancing Innovative, Impactful Research and Discovery

  • Investigate transformational questions in the basic, clinical, translational and population sciences to produce new knowledge, improve clinical care and enhance human health.
  • Foster strong, interactive relationships throughout our broad and diverse researcher and research participant communities.
  • Encourage multidisciplinary approaches, leveraging team science and new technologies to tackle tough challenges that advance health and health equity.
  • Strive to be exemplary research mentors and coaches.

Becoming an Anti-racist, Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive School Community

  • Commit to dismantling racism in ourselves, our school and our community.
  • Strive for equity in our policies and practices.
  • Build an inclusive community in which people from marginalized identities and backgrounds thrive.
  • Promote a culture of respect and belonging among our faculty, staff, learners, partners and the communities we serve.

Creating the Future Together

  • Cultivate and promote interprofessional and interdisciplinary work culture.
  • Encourage and empower individuals to practice effective leadership.
  • Strengthen collaborations and partnerships to catalyze learning, discovery and implementation.
  • Listen and work as allies with our patients and communities.

Committing to the Success and Well-being of Each Other

  • Create and support a compassionate culture in which we care for and value each other and all can thrive.
  • Embrace recruitment and retention strategies as essential investments in our future.
  • Prioritize the professional and personal development of our people with a focus on equity.
  • Provide the resources and tools for people to be successful.