Julie Kuder

The strategic plan for Texas A&M Health, adopted in 2022, outlines the direction for the Office of Interprofessional Practice, Education, & Research (IPER) to lead and drive innovation in interprofessional education, research, and collaborative practice. It aligns with Texas A&M Health's Vision 360, Texas A&M University's Decade of Excellence, and emerging strategies from Texas A&M 2040. The plan emphasizes continuous improvement through transparent program evaluation and student assessment, adhering to the PDSA Model and Program Evaluation Standards, to enhance programming and advance related research and scholarship.

The panel discussion centered on the global opioid crisis and its impact, including statistics on overdose deaths in America and Texas, noting undercounting due to reporting limitations. Key discussion points focused on addressing the complexity of the epidemic by bringing stakeholders together, combating the significant local stigma associated with substance use disorder, and emphasizing the need for comprehensive treatment options, including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). Panelists shared personal experiences related to addiction, recovery, and the direct impact of opioid overdose deaths on families. Barriers to effective response were identified as stigma, inadequate training in addiction science for medical professionals, difficulties in accessing affordable and long-term treatment, and poor state-level data tracking for fatal and non-fatal overdoses. Concerns were also raised regarding the high rate of drug-related issues among juveniles in detention and the lack of mental health counseling access.

This document is the final report of the Texas A&M University Campus Carry Policy Task Force, outlining recommendations for the implementation of Senate Bill 11 (S.B. 11) regarding concealed handguns on campus. The plan's strategic direction focuses on ensuring compliance with the law while prioritizing campus safety and security. Key pillars include establishing clear governing factors and principles for policy application, defining specific prohibited premises (such as clinical and research facilities, counseling centers, private offices, child care facilities, athletic venues, and maritime vessels), and detailing license holder responsibilities and community outreach. The intended outcome is a comprehensive framework for the safe and lawful integration of the campus carry policy, informed by extensive campus community engagement and feedback.

Texas A&M Health's VISION360 is centered around service and innovation in healthcare. The plan focuses on being nimble and collaborative in education, research, and practice to address healthcare challenges. Key areas include creating a great place to work, fostering successful partnerships, delivering innovative care in austere environments, focusing on research growth, and achieving operational excellence. The plan aims to redesign the business model to support growth, diversify revenues, and increase efficiency, while also focusing on personalized professional training, interdisciplinary research, and community engagement.

Texas A&M University's priorities include rural population health, military health, and innovation through engineering. The university aims to transform health care delivery, address health disparities in rural populations, improve the lives of military members and their families, and create innovative health care solutions through collaboration between health care and engineering.