Press Release
September 19, 2006
Contact: Anna Farneski
(973) 972-3000 or (980) 377-1681
farnesam@umdnj.edu
22nd Annual UMDNJ University Day Celebration Held in Stratford Today
Interim President Bruce C. Vladeck, PhD, gives State of University Address
STRATFORD — The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey community came together today to celebrate UMDNJ’s accomplishments in research, clinical care and education during the past year and to set a course for the future.
Robert J. Del Tufo, Esq., chairperson of the Board, welcomed several hundred faculty, students, and staff at the 22nd Annual University Day celebration held at UMDNJ’s School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Interim President Bruce C. Vladeck, PhD, delivered a State of the University address to the hundreds who took part in the celebration in Stratford, and from other remote locations throughout the University system via closed-circuit broadcast.
Dr. Vladeck outlined a series of steps and controls put into place since March to restore and reinvigorate the University, as well as establish financial and ethical controls to prevent the problems of past administration from reoccurring. Among the reforms are:
Expansion of the UMDNJ Board of Trustees to include six new members, the reorganization of Board committees, and the anticipated appointment of five new members by Governor Corzine following the signing of A-2900.
The creation of a new Office of Compliance with 28 newly created positions for investigators and auditors.
The near completion of the University’s 2005 financial statement audit, and the expected certification of the 2006 financial statement by the end of the calendar year.
A review of the University’s procurement and purchasing policies and procedures is nearly complete; a contract management office is being created to ensure better monitoring and completion of contractual requirements.
Recruitment of a new CFO of University Hospital, an important step in rebuilding trust in the Hospital’s financial oversight and overall strategic leadership.
“With some of these basic building blocks now in place, we can begin charting the next phase of our institution’s recovery and growth,” Dr. Vladeck said. “To that end, I am today announcing five strategic priorities for the University. In doing so, I hope to define a short-term agenda which will begin to reinforce the University’s strengths; create the reality as well as the atmosphere of positive, forward movement; and lay the groundwork for future greatness in all of the central areas of the University’s mission.”
The strategic priorities are:
An Ethics Initiative that will allow UMDNJ to learn from recent experiences and convert a period of institutional trauma into the starting point for the development of a national model for institutional conduct with the creation of an innovative program in ethics education for the entire UMDNJ community.
A plan to reinvigorate the University’s research with an investment in infrastructure that supports our researchers, especially those in the early states of their careers, by reorganizing the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, strengthening staffing at the Office of Research, and automating the Institutional Review Board.
Revisiting and refocusing the clinical services provided to the residents of Newark by the New Jersey Medical School and University Hospital consistent with the changing community needs.
An overdue investment in UMDNJ’s IT systems to expand data center capacity, enhance security of data systems and information repositories, and modernize certain basic business applications.
A plan to enhance collaborative activities across schools and campuses to encourage interdisciplinary education and research opportunities in both biomedical research and the provision of health services.
Among other University Day highlights, twelve faculty members were inducted into the Stuart D. Cook, MD, Master Educators’ Guild, which recognizes selected faculty members for their long-term commitment to excellence in education, scholarship, creativity, and their ability to motivate students and garner the respect of their peers.
The 2006 University Medal for Distinguished Leadership, which is presented annually to an individual whose career reflects extraordinary commitment to protecting the health and well-being of New Jersey residents, was presented to Dr. Leah Ziskin, of Cherry Hill. Dr. Ziskin, a former associate dean of the UMDNJ-School of Public Health and the former deputy commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, is this year’s honoree.
Related links:
 Interim President Bruce C. Vladeck, PhD University Day Address
Video Archive: University Day, September 19 in Stratford
|
