by Jennifer Kowalewski

While unveiling Vision OHIO, President Roderick J. McDavis, Ph.D., stressed the important role OU-COM has in the future of the university. In his Jan. 17 speech, McDavis highlighted two key endeavors of OU-COM — the continuing collaboration on the integrated learning and research facility and the Community Service Programs (CSP) feature in the November issue of Ohio magazine. McDavis was joined by other university leaders during the first Vision OHIO Convocation, which was held at Walter Hall.

Our future is developing a supportive, learning-centered research university, which encourages all academic and academic support units to work individually and collaboratively to achieve Vision OHIO,” McDavis said.

Dean Jack Brose, D.O., took the president’s words as a challenge for the college in the coming years. But Brose says he believes his students and faculty are up to the challenges put forth in Vision OHIO. 

“President McDavis’ inspirational speech underscored his ambitious goals for the College of Osteopathic Medicine in research and community service,” Brose says. “The students, faculty and staff of OU-COM are committed to meeting and exceeding his expectations.” 

Vision OHIO is the university’s strategic plan that seeks to elevate its excellence and national prominence, specifically as a research institution, and to increase the university’s diversity, partnerships and resources. The plan also aims to facilitate the university’s ability to involve students in distinctive and interdisciplinary activities that serve the educational, social and economic needs of the region and state.

A key ingredient for Vision OHIO’s success is better health-care opportunities for those living in the community.

“Our ability to achieve that mission is thanks in large part to the College of Osteopathic Medicine, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary,” McDavis said.

“OU-COM’s impact on the nature and quality of medical care in Appalachia was recognized by Ohio magazine in its November issue. The magazine named OU-COM faculty and staff ‘Ohio Heroes’ for the support they provide to the college’s community service programs. The health of our citizens in the region, state and beyond is an integral part of our mission.”

OU-COM plays a vital role in Vision OHIO, with its push toward research development. McDavis also noted these in his speech.

“In order to provide greater support of our collaborative research efforts, we also must provide the necessary facilities to support this,” McDavis said. “With the approval of the Board of Trustees, Ohio University has begun developing planning documents for the integrated learning and research facility.

“This modern, approximately 100,000-sq. ft. facility will strengthen and advance the university’s research, research education and training capacity. Projected to open in early 2009, this facility will bring together research activities in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ College of Engineering and Technology, the College of Health and Human Services and the College of Arts and Sciences. In addition to significant health-care outcomes, the facility and associated research projects will provide invaluable research and research training opportunities for medical, as well as undergraduate and graduate, students.”

Brose says the new facility will not only increase collaboration, but enhance medical research at OU-COM itself.

“Since becoming president, Dr. McDavis has consistently demonstrated his strong support for OU-COM’s research and community outreach programs. I am very grateful to him for his leadership and for highlighting our efforts to the University community,” Brose adds.

Brose says CSP, with its free clinic, child immunization and medical screening program, are essential components of the college’s commitment to the community and part of OU-COM’s foundation of participation in fulfilling the goals of Vision OHIO.