MISSION STATEMENT
Wyatt R. Hume, DDS, PhD
Provost and Executive Vice President
Academic and Health Affairs
University of California
Office of the President
The Office of Health Affairs (OHA) has a tri-partite
mission. First, OHA provides policy coordination and
support for the University's fifteen excellent health
sciences professional education programs that respond
to the needs of the citizens of California and the nation.
These programs include five Schools of Medicine, two
Schools of Dentistry, two Schools of Nursing, two Schools of Pharmacy, two Schools
of Public Health, one Veterinary Medicine School and
one School of Optometry.
Second, OHA ensures that outstanding clinical training opportunities are available in all relevant disciplines to the University's health professions students to augment their academic programs.
Third, OHA is committed to administering state-funded health research programs on AIDS, Breast Cancer, and Tobacco-Related Diseases through a fair and responsible peer review process modeled after the National Institutes of Health's grant review procedures. OHA is also devoted to encouraging multi-disciplinary geriatrics training, education, and research through the systemwide administration of the Academic Geriatric Resource Program.
Finally, OHA is committed to encouraging research and public understanding of the many issues that contribute to the health and well-being of the state's population by administering the Wellness Lecture Series.
OHA fulfills its tripartite mission by working in conjunction with UC faculty and staff as well as faculty and staff at external institutions and agencies to develop thoughtful, well-considered policy related to its health sciences education, training, and research programs. Working closely with faculty advisory committees and health sciences administrators on the campuses, OHA staff analyzes health manpower issues and contributes to the development of health sciences enrollment plans that meet the needs of the citizens of California and the nation.
Moreover, the Vice President
for Health Affairs reviews, coordinates, and approves
affiliation agreements for training opportunities at
external facilities and institutions. Another way in
which OHA carries out its three-fold mission is by coordinating
health sciences academic matters for consideration by
the Board of Regents. Another important path to accomplishing
OHA's mission involves OHA staff working closely with
the California Legislature, the Governor, and the representatives
of state agencies to develop an understanding of the
goals of its health sciences education, training, and
research programs, and to support proposed legislation
and the formulation of public policy that advances these
goals.