New strategic goals and priorities for the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) have been launched with approval of its Faculty Executive Council.

The goals and priorities were developed over the past 18 months with leadership from the dean and vice-president and the vice-deans, consultation with faculty and staff and review by the council. They were most recently revised over the summer to reflect the Faculty’s responsiveness to the environment.

“This will be our way forward for the next five or so years and it is important that we embrace these directions,” said Paul O’Byrne, dean and vice-president. “At the same time, the Faculty will also be fully engaged in the university’s Shape the Future development – that will be absolutely critical.”

McMaster President David Farrar began the Shape the Future initiative this week by opening a university-wide consultation process on how McMaster should develop over the next 30 years. These consultations will inform the development of a new vision and strategic plan for the university.

The new strategic goals for the Faculty include updating of the guiding statement of purpose and the vision.

“The strategic goals and priorities have been expanded and refreshed to include specifics regarding the research mission, and to embrace the Faculty’s commitments for building a more inclusive community,” said Susan Denburg, former executive vice-dean and associate vice-president, academic, who oversaw the revisions to the plan.

“We have wanted this document to compellingly reflect the Faculty’s values, goals and priorities and ensure that it remains current and relevant, irrespective of challenges we face,” she said.

The five strategic goals for the Faculty:

1. Preserving and growing the university’s reputation for excellence and innovation in education
2. Pursuing ground-breaking and impactful research consistent with McMaster’s commitment to advancing human and societal health and well-being
3. Enabling a culture consistent with the Faculty’s tenets
4. Advancing the Faculty’s influence and leadership profile locally and globally
5. Ensuring the Faculty’s fiscal and operational strength, stability and efficiency

“This Faculty, through the excellence of our faculty members, staff and students, has consistently raised the standard for leadership in health sciences education, research and clinical care, and I know that having these goals and priorities set will enable us to have the direction to continue to strive for excellence in all that we do,” said O’Byrne.