I am fortunate to have the opportunity to serve as interim dean for Mayes College of Healthcare Business and Policy and witness, as well as nurture, the continued growth of both students and faculty.
Mayes College continues to build upon its mission of preparing individuals to think critically, creatively, and ethically as leaders in meeting the challenges of a global healthcare environment. If you read the newspapers or watch the news, you will see that the world is talking about the very things we are teaching, researching, discussing, and exploring. It is not often when a college is so focused on the very issues that are the primary topics of society.
Take the complex issue of immunization. Our undergraduate and graduate students, along with faculty, have been actively engaged in improving public health through knowledge dissemination and prevention regarding both hepatitis and H1N1. By working in tandem, the students and faculty of Mayes College address relevant healthcare issues, and moreover, contribute to the education, research, and community service missions of University of the Sciences. Their work has involved grant submissions to federal agencies and focused study of the laws and policies impacting utilization of immunization programs. They have even improved student uptake of the H1N1 vaccine by developing and implementing a viral marketing campaign to educate students about the value of vaccination.
Our alumni are also playing instrumental roles in the development of Mayes College. This year, due to the generosity of alumna Ilene Warner-Maron PhD’08 we will host the inaugural Lois K. Cohen Endowed Lecture Series in Global Health. On Monday, Oct. 4, 2010, the first lecture in the series will be presented by Mirta Roses Periago, director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the world's oldest international health organization and public health agency. We look forward to having everyone across the University take part in this open lecture series.
Two other Mayes College events include the hosting of the winter meeting of the Philadelphia Council of Writing Program Administration (PWPA) on Feb. 19, 2010. The PWPA is the largest regional affiliate of the national organization. Writing program administrators from across the region will conduct their meetings on our campus. In addition, our students and faculty will represent Mayes College at the Mid-Atlantic Writing Centers Association Conference at the University of Delaware during workshop/panel discussions and poster presentations. I believe writing is an important element of the Mayes College and I am pleased to see our continued involvement.
Another important change to share with you is the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Business program’s updated name. The broadening of the BS and MBA from “pharmaceutical” to “pharmaceutical and healthcare business” reflects our mission to prepare leaders for the broader healthcare industry and to provide our students with a degree that enhances their employment opportunities. The new name will officially be used for those students entering the programs after January 2010. Students currently enrolled in these programs have the option of selecting the new program name on their diploma or continuing with their original program title.
While I have listed only a few of the many accomplishments achieved by the Mayes College community over the past few months, you can see the strides we have made. For me, this work marks an important realization that we've advanced the work of transforming the Mayes College from the “new kid on the block” to a strategic academic partner - a college focused on making a difference in University of the Sciences, the surrounding community, and throughout the world. I am very honored and privileged to be working with such a diverse, dedicated, and caring group of faculty, students, and staff. I hope you will join me in celebrating many more accomplishments at Mayes as the semesters unfold!