Promote respectful environments, equity, diversity, and inclusion within the Department of Medicine.
This core area encompasses the people, places, structures, processes, and methods that support the work of the Department of Medicine. As an organization, we work to promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning and working environment that
supports all our learners, faculty, and staff. Our culture supports our people in achieving their best potential and recognizes their meaningful contributions while focusing on their well-being.
We will advocate for increased resources for collectively identified Department-wide priorities, build capacity across the learning health system, and be adaptable in the face of emerging technologies to meet the needs of health populations. Advancing this core area will also continue to promote the restoration of the interdependent health of people, places, and the planet. In this culture and environment, all of our people, places,
and structures can thrive in collaboration.
Goals
Create and sustain a respectful & supportive organizational culture and inclusive learning and working environment
Our goal is to establish a respectful and supportive organizational culture and inclusive learning environment. As we implement this vision, individuals will feel valued and supported, fostering an environment where everyone thrives within the Department of Medicine.
We are collaborating with the Faculty of Medicine REDI Office to conduct a self-assessment to identify gaps in well-being, equity, diversity, and inclusion. The Department of Medicine Equity Committee, in partnership with other relevant stakeholders, is formulating strategies to address these gaps and support all department members.
We demonstrate respect by recognizing and celebrating community achievements and contributions. We are exploring academic contributions by clinical faculty for recognition and establishing mentorship and career advancement opportunities. We are refreshing the Faculty and Staff Awards Program to acknowledge excellence and diversity across distributed sites. Additionally, we have initiated a spotlight program to highlight research, faculty, staff, and learner initiatives.
Continuous improvement of processes that promote efficiency, responsiveness, innovation, and a responsible & sustainable use of resources
This goal encourages identifying ways to continuously improve our operations and seeking opportunities to collaborate and align processes within our Department, across our 18 divisions and distributed sites.
We aim to enhance support for diverse health populations.
We are advancing strategic priorities by identifying key areas and funding sources to support improved processes and virtual technology.
We are enhancing knowledge sharing through an intranet on the Department website, centralizing best practices in HR, administration, and operations to support staff and faculty development. Accessing the Department’s, Faculty of Medicine’s, and UBC’s best practices empowers members to improve skills and processes, strengthening our ability to deliver quality care and meet strategic objectives. Our focus on efficiency, responsiveness, and innovation aims to optimize service delivery effectively, ensuring responsible and sustainable resource utilization.
Enhance strategic alignment across the department, health partners, and the University to advance the vision of a learning health system
To advance our vision, we enhance strategic alignment across the Department, health partners, and the University through cohesive plan implementation and collaborative partnerships.
We foster cohesion and synergy by promoting the alignment of division strategic plans with our overarching Strategic Plan: Transforming Health Together. With our site leads and department-level support, we ensure the effective implementation of our plan, fostering engagement and ownership among leaders.
Furthermore, our Division Heads cultivate meaningful relationships and partnerships with hospital foundations and research institutes. Collaborating to raise research funds for divisional priorities bolsters research endeavors. It supports aligned projects within the Department, advancing our strategic mission and the vision of a transformative and inclusive learning health system.
Support systemic transformation that promotes the restoration of the interdependent health of people, place, and planet and reduces our negative environmental impact
As a responsive and sustainable organization, we are dedicated to supporting systemic transformation to restore the interdependent health of people, places, and the planet while minimizing environmental impact. The Department will partner with units and sustainability leads at UBC to identify and implement opportunities to reduce environmental impacts, increasing the adoption of actions that contribute to UBC-wide sustainability priorities.
Our approach ensures alignment, maximizing impact on advancing planetary health goals. By coordinating with units on environmental sustainability, we aim to imbibe accountability, leveraging expertise and resources to address global health challenges. Our commitment to integrating sustainability principles into our operations aims to restore planetary health while advancing healthcare excellence and improving well-being.
Advance recommendations from Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC) Calls to Action, Indigenous Strategic Plan (ISP), and the In Plain Sight Report
Respect, inclusion, and diversity are a cornerstone of our Department, and can only be formed by advancing the relevant calls to action. To advance this goal, we identify relevant actions from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and ensure their implementation across administrative offices, divisions, and distributed sites.
Crucial for fostering meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples, we prioritize cultivating knowledge around Indigenous Cultural Safety. Before engaging with the First Nations Health Authority for potential projects, researchers undergo cultural safety training as their responsibility to demonstrate commitment to Indigenous Cultural Safety while conducting research, teaching, and patient care. Collaborating with the Faculty of Medicine, we integrate Indigenous perspectives into medical education, demonstrating our dedication to reconciliation, Indigenous health advancement, and well-being.
Increase integration and create synergies between clinical care, research, and education
We aim to strengthen the Department’s relationships with the regional health authorities within British Columbia and the Provincial Health Services Authority. By doing so, we aim to improve our alignment and communication between all our sites and external stakeholders.
This goal includes enhancing relationships and fostering important discussions that combine efforts and strategic collaboration within and across other health organizations.
Transforming Health Together: 2023-2027 is the strategic plan for UBC’s Department of Medicine
Special thanks to all the faculty, staff, students, trainees, and partners across the province who have contributed to the development of this plan.