Transforming the University: Final Report of the Clinical Sciences Enterprise Task Force

Abstract

The Clinical Sciences Enterprise task force was charged to define the clinical sciences and articulate its elements; to assess its current state; to identify goals for strengthening the key components of the enterprise and strategies for making the entire enterprise system effective and supportive of outstanding research, education and patient care; and to delineate the role of the clinical sciences in the strategic positioning of the University and Academic Health Center (AHC). There are pockets of real strength in the clinical sciences across the AHC, but each major area of the clinical sciences (clinical care delivery, education and research) needs to be strengthened further and the connections among the components of the clinical sciences need to be improved. The diversity of schools and professional disciplines with the AHC and the possibilities for collaboration are a significant asset. The prevailing lack of consensus at the University about the importance of clinical care delivery to the academic mission currently impedes the potential of the clinical sciences enterprise to deliver the most outstanding research, education and patient care.