Mission, Vision & Values
Alignment/Focus
The mission of the new medical school aligns perfectly with the mission of Methodist University. The focus of the medical education program will be on training medical professionals for underserved populations, which is a perfect match for our service-focused mission. In non-metropolitan counties in North Carolina, growth in physicians-per-capita has been slow. Access-to-care issues remain concerning in many rural and underserved places. The University’s proposed medical school will be perfectly positioned to address this deficiency: Studies have shown that physicians tend to choose practice locations based on where they completed their education – 67.3% stay in the region where they both attended medical school and finished their residency.
The proposed medical school will focus on a health-systems approach, one that views healthcare as an evidence-based system of related factors that contribute to patient health – not just biological health, but psychological and sociological elements as well. This philosophy of medical education fits well with Methodist University’s longstanding liberal arts tradition.
Mission
To prepare our graduates to be socially accountable, community-engaged, evidence-based, compassionate, equity-focused physician leaders who will contribute to mitigating health disparities and improving health outcomes in southeastern North Carolina or wherever they may practice.
Vision
To shape a model of community-engaged health promotion and exceptional healthcare, serving as an example for the nation.
Values
- Humility
- Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Advocacy
- Interprofessional Collaboration
Goals
- To educate a diverse population of expertly trained medical doctors attentive to the needs of rural and underserved populations.
- To become a national leader in interprofessional, team-based medical education.
Strategic Planning Pillars
- Excellence in Medical Education
- Excellence in Research and Innovation
- Excellence in Community and Collaborative Partnerships for Sustainable Growth
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with focus on Talent Management
- Excellence in Integrated Healthcare
Pictured above: Cape Fear Valley Health CEO Michael Nagowski and Methodist University President Stanley T. Wearden sign an agreement with an intent to found a Methodist University medical school on the Cape Fear Valley campus.