From the Chair: Overview

One Jefferson There is palpable excitement in the air here at Jefferson. Efforts to transform our University, led by our new President Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA, are well underway. Many from our Department have contributed to the changes we see on the horizon. “Health Is All We Do”…has been embraced as our new motto. “We will reimagine health care, health education and discovery to create unparalleled value”...has been embraced as our vision statement. A recent extensive strategic retreat process has generated a Blueprint for Strategic Action (BSA) with four foundational enablers. These are: • Partnerships • Diversity • Technology • Philanthropy. These foundational enablers are designed to help support our six critical pillars, which should be thought of as our six focused areas of energy: • Patients and Families First • One Jefferson • Seamless Clinical Enterprise • High-Impact Science • Programs of Global Distinction • Forward Thinking Education. I am delighted to report that we in the Department of Surgery will have major roles in each of these six pillars as we help to transform Jefferson over the near and far future. For example, we are already a top decile performer in several areas under the category of Patients and Families First. Our clinical enterprise has expanded, we participate in numerous clinical trials, and we have embraced regional satellite facilities. We see contributions to High- Impact Science from our ECMO program, from our oncology programs, in the area of endovascular biology, and in education. Moreover, we offer exceptional destination programs and we have driven curricular change and educational initiatives. American health care is changing. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) has launched. The excitement on campus is palpable. We are that.... Health is All We Do