Dear School of SHP and UTMB Communities,
The University of Texas Medical Branch School of Health Professions (SHP) has a long-standing history of excellence and innovation in educating health care professionals for leadership roles in the state, nation, and international arenas. We also are famous for our strong research enterprise success. With this auspicious success in the areas of education and research, we turn to the future and ask “How can UTMB SHP prepare health care professionals for the future in terms of making major impacts on patient care and community support?"
Within this context, we present our Strategic Plan focused on "Advancing Health Professions." Our RISES Initiatives were designed by leadership, faculty, and staff, with input from the UTMB Community, with the goal of focusing our future efforts toward achieving our mission and goals in a highly effective manner. This document serves as a planning tool, not to be mistaken for a strict road map. With this guiding document, UTMB SHP aims to lead the advancement of health care professional fields in the areas of education, research, community service with diverse constituents, and health care practice. We invite you to join us - whether you be a future student, potential collaborator/community partner, or future faculty/staff member. We are looking for greater opportunities ahead!
David A. Brown, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Senior Vice President and
Dean, School of Health Professions
The RISES Initiative
Guided by our RISES initiative, the UTMB School of Health Professionals will focus on the following strategic priorities for the 2021–2026 period: Research Activity, Influence & Impact, Student Success & Preparedness, Experiences in Clinical Settings, and Strategic Capacity & Transformation.
- Research Activity
- Capitalize on the strength of our scholarly activities to improve healthcare education, knowledge, and practice.
- Influence & Impact
- Forge strong programs and partnerships that increase the visibility and influence of the School of Health Professions.
- Student Success & Preparedness
- Prepare our graduates through innovative academic offerings, interprofessional education, and holistic community experiences.
- Experiences in Clinical Settings
- Advance our mission and vision through expanded clinical experience opportunities for our faculty to engage in.
- Strategic Capacity & Transformation
- Create a work environment that embraces workforce diversity, organizational development and lifelong learning.
Key performance indicators are measurable values that demonstrate how effectively an institution is achieving its long-term strategic goals.
These metrics are used to determine an organization’s progress in achieving its strategic and operational goals, and also to compare finances and performance against other institutions within its industry.
- Recruitment and retention of students, faculty and staff
- Pass rates in field-specific national certification exams
- Satisfaction ratings and evaluations from students, faculty and staff
- Recognition of faculty and staff accolades
- Faculty publications, research funding and scholarly productivity
- Community, regional, state and national partnerships and collaborations
- National and global rankings of academic programs
- Fundraising, development and alumni engagement
SHP Academic Programs
We offer certifications, bachelor's, master's and doctoral health profession programs. In addition to classroom lectures, lab experiences, and clinical skills competencies, our programs offer clinical training opportunities in a variety of settings to ensure our students have exposure to a diversity of professional opportunities.
Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Clinical laboratory graduates become an integral part of healthcare team by performing, managing, and interpreting laboratory tests.
Health Professions
For practitioners currently working in health care, this advanced degree opens up opportunities for leadership as healthcare managers or executives within their organizations.
Nutrition & Metabolism
Graduates of the Metabolism MS/ DI program are trained to become credentialed registered dietitian nutritionists. Students receive in-class, online, and hands on training opportunities in a variety of settings.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists evaluate, analyze, and provide interventions to individuals and communities to develop, restore, adapt, and maintain function necessary to participate in meaningful occupations and optimize quality of life.
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy graduates are movement experts that examine and treat persons of all ages to improve their ability to move, reduce or manage pain, restore function, prevent disability, and improve health.
Rehabilitation Sciences
Rehabilitation Science is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on human function and disability, enhancing physical, psychosocial functioning and overall quality of life.
Respiratory Care
Respiratory therapists are specialized healthcare practitioners that have training and expertise in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cardiopulmonary diseases.
SHP Mission, Vision, Values and Philosophy
SHP Mission
The mission of the School of Health Professions is to provide excellent and innovative education integrated with high impact research and quality clinical experiences producing healthcare professionals that advance the future of healthcare.
SHP Vision
The School of Health Professions envisions a multi – disciplinary school engaged in diverse, collaborative and innovative solutions that produces future healthcare professionals and clinicians who provide world class patient care and cutting-edge research.
SHP Values
All constituents of the School of Health Professions practice the values endorsed by UTMB:
- We demonstrate compassion for all.
- We always act with integrity.
- We show respect to everyone we meet.
- We embrace diversity to best serve a global community.
- We promote excellence and innovation through lifelong learning.
SHP Philosophy
Health profession's education should focus on student competency and compassion for the clients they serve.
Research and innovation is the hallmark of a great institution. We are always looking for new ways to make things better.
Service to the community is an attitude that characterizes professional people. Professionals always put the needs of others before their own. The campus community is part of a larger community, with whom we must partner if we are to be effective. Our educational programs emphasize community-based learning and practice.
Evidence-based patient care is critical for providing clients with the best healthcare outcomes for a better quality of life.