This fall, I find myself reflecting on the exciting path ahead as we advance the mission of the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis. Together, we are committed to bold system change and health equity — a charge we do not take lightly as we work to make a lasting impact on the future of health care and the communities we serve.
Our school continues to ride the waves of change with resilience, keeping our eyes steadfastly on our mission and vision. We seize opportunities to innovate, growing into an institution that builds the next generation of health care leaders, practitioners and researchers. In this pursuit, we have relied on the strength of our UC Davis partnerships and community connections, recognizing that true success is only achieved when we work together.
Our alumni, students, faculty, staff and donors all share our commitment to optimal health and health care equity for all, and I am immensely grateful for the collaboration of our UC Davis Health partners as we grow together to advance our mission. We are proud of our innovative graduate programs and the generations of equity-minded nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants we are shaping. We are excited by the recent successes of our doctoral students, research faculty and their life-changing work.
To meet the needs of the health system and the state of California, we launched new programs that prepare mental health practitioners state-wide and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists for patients in the UC Davis Health catchment area and beyond. Their contributions fill workforce gaps in new ways for California.
These practitioners, along with all graduates of our five degree programs, go on to serve their communities with the highest levels of care and compassion. Their successes are a testament to the dedication of everyone in our school.
We are recognized as a top-25 nursing school and as leader in health care education diversity — awards that reflect hard work and stand as symbols of the impact we are having in nursing science and health care. Yet, our mission does not end with accolades; it is an ongoing commitment to serve UC Davis Health, contribute to our wider UC Davis community and advance health care.
Our research continues to grow, driven by the complexity of the health care world around us. We are expanding our collaboration with the health system becoming an indispensable partner in achieving mutual goals. Our strong partnerships in the community enable the School of Nursing to lead in the health system’s efforts to “believe in better.” Experts from our Family Caregiving Institute complement older adult care in the UC Davis Health Healthy Aging Clinic through caregiving consultations. It is through these collaborations that we see the real, lasting change we strive for: a health care system that reflects our values of inclusion, leadership and innovation.
As I shared earlier this year at commencement, the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing lies at the intersection of humanity, innovation, empathy, diversity and leadership. It is through these guiding principles that we have flourished. I urge each of you to embrace the opportunities ahead with the spirit of our co-founder, Betty Irene Moore, as your guide. Her legacy inspires us to push boundaries and challenge conventions as we strive for a better tomorrow.
Thank you for your continued partnership. Together, we will build a future where health equity is not just an aspiration but a reality.
