As I mentioned in my last email, one of the first things I want to accomplish as president is to learn more about what you think the university’s priorities should be going forward. To that end, I’m excited to announce that I’ll be going on a walking tour of HSC from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26. Ruth Roman, executive vice president and COO, and Jason Hartley, vice president of operations, will be with me as I go into buildings and stop by offices. I’m looking forward to meeting more of you and hearing your thoughts about HSC.
I also wanted to update you about my activities since becoming president last week. My first official event as president was stopping by a thank-you luncheon for the HSC faculty and staff who assisted with the successful AIM-AHEAD annual meeting in August. The meeting featured speakers, a poster session and tours of HSC’s Regional Simulation Center. From those who invited speakers, set up rooms, gave presentations, created videos or took care of numerous other details, this event could not have happened without everyone working together.
You might remember that last year, HSC received a $50 million award from the National Institutes of Health to lead the AIM-AHEAD Coordinating Center based at HSC. AIM-AHEAD was established to enhance diversity in the fields of artificial intelligence and machine learning with an emphasis on reducing heath disparities and promoting health equity. This is important work that fits HSC’s purpose and mission.
I also attended The Mad Scientist Ball, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History’s annual fundraiser, this past weekend. The event included mad science demonstrations and lab coats given at the door for each person to wear. It was truly a great way to spend the evening supporting a community partner and one of HSC’s neighbors in the Fort Worth Cultural District.
Tuesday brought a trip to Austin for the UNT System’s Joint Budget Hearing. At this hearing, we presented HSC’s Legislative Appropriations Request for FY 2024 and 2025.
On Thursday, I attended the BioNTX iC3 Life Science Summit in Grapevine and spoke on a panel titled “Novel Investments and Strategies to Drive Health Equity.” This summit allowed industry leaders to come together to discuss strategy and learn about the latest innovations, products and services in North Texas bioscience research. Although this meant that I missed Thursday’s HSC Faculty Assembly, I am excited to speak at the next assembly and hear more from HSC’s outstanding faculty.
Later today, I look forward to going to the US India Chamber of Commerce DFW Wellness and Workplace Conference in Addison. I’ll be speaking on a panel titled “Discover Market Dynamics Shaping the Future of Health Care.” U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy is the keynote speaker for this exciting conference.
If you are not in your department when I drop by on Monday, you can attend one of the other campus events I will announce in the near future. Until then, please feel free to send me your thoughts at president@unthsc.edu. Thank you for all you do to make HSC successful, and have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Sylvia Trent-Adams