Office of Research and Creative Endeavors

University of New Mexico

Health Sciences Center

School of Medicine

Department of Pediatrics

Vision Statement

To improve the health and well-being of children through research.

Mission

To enhance and improve the health of children of New Mexico through research relevant to New Mexico's population.

Goal

To engage every pediatric faculty and house staff in critical thinking and research as a valued part of the academic environment of the department.

Values

• Critical thinking
  
• Creativity
  
• Rigor
  
• Mentoring
  
• Sharing
  
• Accountability

Strategic Directions of the Research Component of the Department of Pediatrics

1. Create an environment that proactively encourages and supports research and creative thought.

• Establish research as a fundamental component of the Department of Pediatrics.
  
• Encourage and support pediatric faculty, residents, and professional staff in their efforts to initiate and sustain research.
  
• Promote collaboration within the department and university and across other institutions of higher learning.

2.  Promote research mentoring of faculty, residents, and professional staff.

• Assure high-quality, innovative research by faculty, residents, medical students and professional staff that embodies good science and is responsive to the needs of New Mexico's children.
  
  
• Strengthen the existing infrastructure that supports research in the department.
  
  
• Seek both internal and external funding to support research.
  

Targeted Objectives

• Increase the number of faculty proposing and/or conducting research.

• Develop a five and ten year plan for research for the department.
  

• Increase total revenue for research.
  

• Develop a formal research support program that includes a research coordinator position.
  

• Increase the number of structured events showcasing and supporting research, including increasing faculty and staff awareness of resources for research through frequent presentations at faculty meetings, etc.
  

• Consolidate knowledge base and information network for faculty.
  

• Strengthen the department's commitment to research by providing space, time, staff support, and “bridge monies” to support research.

Long Term Goals

• Establish the department as a center of excellence for pediatric research.
  
• Establish a Children's Health Research Center.
  
• Schedule site visits by outside pediatric researchers for annual research review.
  
• Increase the number of pediatric scientists