April 2012 President’s Corner

Office of the President and
Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs
Clinical Building I, Suite 3100
8441 State Highway 47
Bryan, TX 77807

April 3, 2012

Dear TAMHSC Community,

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) recently made its re-accreditation visit to the Texas A&M Health Science Center and left very impressed with our facilities and equipment, teleconference capability, integrated institution, focus of our mission, and particularly, the students.

A few of the comments made by the SACS committee made me especially proud: our students are dynamic, energetic, articulate and represented our institution very well; our faculty and staff work very well together, especially in a dispersed environment; and my personal favorite, “You care for one another like a family.” Another comment especially important to me was that our faculty, staff and students “operate with integrity.” I couldn’t ask for anything more!

Three recommendations will require additional follow up before status consideration in December: finalize and approve new policy on definition of the credit hour; prepare a more detailed faculty development plan for the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP-CARE, Critically Appraise Relevant Evidence); and provide more detail and work on the online modules for the CARE initiative to be used by faculty and students.

It was apparent throughout the site visit that attention to detail leading up to and during the visit was noted and greatly appreciated. I know without a doubt that we have a fantastic institution but it is so rewarding to have a team of “experts” reiterate and validate our efforts.

Meanwhile, the respective accrediting bodies for our colleges also have completed their site visits.

The College of Nursing is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) through 2014.

The School of Rural Public Health completed its Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accreditation visit, receiving high marks and a full seven-year accreditation.

Baylor College of Dentistry was visited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), and the team’s comprehensive review resulted in re-accreditation of its predoctoral, postdoctoral and dental hygiene programs. In its predoctoral dental program, the college received no recommendations or suggestions and received nine recognized predoctoral program strength statements.

The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) completed its visit to the Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy in mid-February, and while we await the final report, the team indicated a positive, above average performance. The same is true for the recent visit by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the College of Medicine.

Again, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the hard work, time and energy put into making our health science center SACS re-affirmation and all site accreditation visits a success. Work well done!

Finally, I’d like to congratulate Dr. John Simmons of Texas A&M Physicians, who has been named to the 2012 Texas Rising Stars list to appear in the July issue of Texas Monthly. Dr. Simmons was chosen by his colleagues as an active physician standout (top 2 percent) licensed for 10 years or less, along with other indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement.

Until next time, best regards. You can always reach me at president@tamhsc.edu I value your ideas, learn from your concerns and believe in your commitment.

Best regards,
Nancy W. Dickey, M.D.
President, Texas A&M Health Science Center
Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, The Texas A&M University System