OUWB 2026-30 Strategic Plan

Planning at any organization is imperative to ensure direction, momentum, and success, according to Erin Shirey, director of Planning, Strategy, and Partnerships.

OUWB is no different and that is why the school recently when through the process of updating its strategic plan for 2026-30.

Shirey oversaw the effort that included gathering input from many different stakeholders and recently took time to explain the importance of such a plan, how it came to be, and what exactly is in the updated version.

“Strategic planning is common across sectors from education, industry, health care, and beyond,” says Shirey. “Organizations that don’t plan, or don’t follow their plan, often flounder or fail to reach their full potential.”

“Strategic plans provide a roadmap to help leadership make decisions, align resources (whether human or financial), and promote accountability,” she adds.      

Guiding the ship

Planning, no matter the organization, is difficult as it requires forward-thinking, creativity, vision, administrative commitment, and accountability. 

As OUWB’s planner Shirey says she helps “guide the ship.”

“I am not the one charting the course and when we reach our destination, it’s truly the accomplishment of our entire school not just me,” she says.

OUWB’s strategic plan was developed through the input provided by faculty, staff, students, alumni, Oakland University leaders, Corewell leaders, and community partners through our stakeholder surveys, town hall sessions, and committee representation.  Shirey says it’s important to note that although every voice and response can’t be represented in the plan, the sentiments and input from many is.     

“Throughout the planning process, and woven into our 2026-30 plan, we have had to – as silly as it sounds – reach for the stars to define our future direction as it relates to education, culture, community, innovation, and resources,” she says.

“Academic medicine, health care, and society is evolving and OUWB must use its strong, unique foundation to stay ahead of and compete with what is around us.”

OUWB 2026-30 Strategic Plan

According to Shirey, there are several foundational elements to any strategic plan (although wording can differ) which demonstrate core purpose (mission), what they aim to do/be (vision), principles that guide their work (values), and what they plan to focus their resources on (pillars) during a planning period. 

OUWB’s mission has remained consistent over time with its focus and purpose being to educate compassionate physicians.  The current mission was developed and rolled out in 2021 and remains:

To develop compassionate physicians who are dedicated to improving the health of their communities, collaboration, and lifelong learning.

“Although our mission has never wavered, with each new strategic plan comes the need to refine our vision which charts the direction of our work and what we hope to accomplish during our planning period,” says Shirey. 

Focusing on OUWB’s strategic pillars and its future through 2030 and beyond, the school’s vision is:

To be a recognized leader in medical education inspired by our commitment to community engagement, championing innovation, and enhancing culture to improve the health of every person.

“OUWB’s values define how we engage with one another, are the backbone to our culture, and are used as a compass to guide the decisions that we make whether in the classroom, a clinical setting, or in an administrative setting,” says Shirey.

Although there are only five words that might be posted around O’Dowd or on a PowerPoint slide, Shirey says her hope is that all OUWB community members understand, implement, and hold themselves and others accountable: 

Collaboration: We cultivate an environment grounded in teamwork, professionalism, and appreciation for diverse perspectives.

Compassion:  We are a school that cares; treating everyone with kindness and dignity.

Community:  We are committed to fostering diverse communities where every person feels valued, supported, and empowered to learn, lead, and serve.

Excellence:  We pursue the highest standards in medical education, research, innovation, and person-centered care.

Service:  We engage with our students, faculty, staff, and community partners to improve health, expand access, and advance equitable outcomes.

“Our students, their education, and their success are at the core of the work we have outlined in our five-year plan,” says Shirey. “OUWB’s goals focus on and are meant to enhance and expand the success of our school, our researchers, our efforts in the community, and beyond all in the name of successfully educating the next generation of compassionate physicians.” 

“My hope is that through my work I will one day be personally, positively impacted by the care provided by an OUWB-educated physician,” she adds.