A Message from Dr. Christopher C. Colenda, Chancellor

As an academic health system based in a public university, we are reminded every day of the duties we have to contribute to the health of our state and the nation, to offer education and advancement to students whose opportunities would otherwise be limited, and to add to the body of knowledge that helps everyone more completely understand our world and our lives.

In 2012, West Virginia University and 105 other Land-Grant Universities across the United States are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act of 1862. This law, more than any other, helped Americans show the world how science and education can benefit an entire nation. Our public universities paved the way for research-based activities that conquered hunger and disease, created new technologies and industries, and educated millions of Americans who contributed toward our country’s successes.

In the 21st century, our challenge is to identify and address the issues that most matter to the people we serve. WVU has recommitted itself to improving the health of the people of West Virginia, and we at the Health Sciences Center are at the center of that effort.  A recent video about the impact of our faculty in one small community shows how we are fulfilling the promise of the Land-Grant movement.

Our continued success will require that we develop new ways to work across our many health disciplines, that we use both our public funds and our privately-developed resources effectively and efficiently, and that we make conscious and informed decisions based on how best to achieve our missions and serve the public. 

We are engaged in a multi-year effort, across all our schools and institutions, to identify our best opportunities, direct resources toward concrete goals, and hold ourselves accountable to our students, our patients, and the people of our state.  You can track our progress on our Strategic Plan website, http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/HSC2020.

We welcome feedback on these activities from everyone concerned with the future of our Health Sciences Center and the health of West Virginia.

Christopher C. Colenda, MD, MPH
Chancellor