I've begun to make my way around the state holding "Meet the Dean" sessions. To date, the schedule has included Madison, Milwaukee, LaCrosse and Green Bay, and I look forward to similar trips to Wausau and Eau Claire. It's been an interesting and important way for me to meet many of you, and I appreciate the extra time and effort expended so we can get to know each other.
I have three major goals for these Meet the Dean sessions. First, I provide some details about my background and credentials to give a bit of a foundation upon which to build our relationship. Second, I use this opportunity to outline my vision for the School and my role as dean as we move into the future. Third and very importantly, I encourage questions and discussion with the audience. We've talked about pharmacy current events, health care and our health care system, practice models, my personal philosophies about one thing or another, what's good and bad about the School's admissions policies, the wonderful (or horrible, depending on the day and the sport) outlook for the Badger sports teams, and an amazing array of other topics. These sessions have been an enormous success, from my perspective, allowing me to understand what's on your minds relating to pharmacy, in general, and to the School, in particular. I am a strong advocate of productive discussion and debate.
One of the questions that came up in Milwaukee transcended pharmacy, the School, and the University of Wisconsin in a very meaningful way. That question was along the lines of "What advice would you give to a 24-year-old graduate just leaving the School of Pharmacy this spring?" I thought this question was worth elaborating upon. It's certainly the job of the School to ensure that all graduates possess the knowledge and training to enter their practice or other career path of choice. My advice would be, Use that education to its absolute maximum level. In fact, stretch beyond what you already know and what is familiar to you. Look at your education as a life-long undertaking, just beginning with graduation. Actively develop your personal values and belief system that will guide your personal and professional decision-making. Strive for excellence in all you do and work to become a positive force in the profession, as well as in the local and global communities. And above all this, identify something, it doesn't really matter what, that you are passionate about, that you can be engaged in and contribute to in powerful and meaningful ways. Find that one thing, that single item or issue that fires you up, and make a difference in the world.
The "Meet the Dean" sessions will continue over the next several months. In addition to my meetings in Wisconsin, dinners are being planned in both California and New Jersey, and I am looking forward to the Wisconsin reception at the APhA meeting in Seattle. I also continue to expand my connections to PSW and the Pharmacy Examining Board, as well as several pharmacy groups in and around Madison. I look forward to meeting many more alumni and friends as I get out and about the state and around the country. Thank you for your continuing dedication to the School and its extraordinary students, staff, and faculty. And see you on the road!