Dean's Letter

When I moved to North Dakota nearly twelve years ago from Kentucky, our executive team set out with distinct and immediate goals for the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences; one can’t help but reflect and marvel at the end of another successful year to appreciate just how far we’ve come together.

From Dreams to Reality

Our patient-centered learning curriculum continues to be a national role model. Mayo Medical School is revising their curriculum to be like ours and others have taken notice.  To be one of only eight medical schools in the entire nation studied by the Carnegie Foundation as an example of how to educate doctors for the 21st century is both an honor and testament to our strong program.

We have been outspoken on the importance of professionalism and offer one of just a few courses on interprofessionalism in the country; others are following our lead.

Our Center for Rural Health is, no doubt, one of the best in the world.  We have the only Rural Assistance Center in the nation and over 46 projects underway, connecting resources and knowledge to strengthen the health of people in rural communities.

Progressive research continues in the areas of cancer, diabetes, alcoholism, neurodegenerative disorders, eating disorders, drug addiction, and preventative medicine and behaviors.  I am so very proud of our faculty who are not only excellent teachers but also contribute to new knowledge for treatment and prevention of diseases.  We have increased outside funding for research from $4-6 million to $16-25 million; attracting excellent faculty and fueling North Dakota’s economy.

Moving Forward

Like most deans across the country, a major goal of mine for the next few years is to raise endowment money for the school.  Our tuition is now at the national average for public medical schools and student debt for the incoming class upon graduation will average $125,000.  We are committed to asking our alumni, friends, foundations and businesses to join us in financial partnerships.  Endowments for professorships, chairs, scholarships and technology will help us retain and attract outstanding students and faculty while minimizing tuition increases.

So, where does that leave us?  With our record of success, we continue to set lofty goals and are striving to be the top community-based school in the country.  We must assure through private philanthropy that we have the resources to maintain a quality institution and assure future students the outstanding education we continue to deliver.  I hope you will join me in this quest.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy holiday season!

H. David Wilson, M.D.

Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean

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