|
In U.S. News & World Report’s recent annual rankings
of hospital divisions and graduate schools, Hopkins moved up to number one in
Internal Medicine, tying Harvard, and maintained its number two ranking among
the nation’s 125 medical schools. Add these rankings to Hopkins’ being named
the nation’s best hospital for ten consecutive years, and leading the way in NIH
research grants.
All this recognition reflects the many strengths of both this institution and this Department of Medicine. The reason we’re strong is because we have outstanding faculty and trainees in medicine. But what continually comes home to me is what these external benchmarks don’t measure – the collegiality and commitment of this place. That’s a reflection of the way the people who formed this department viewed the practice of medicine.
In a way, we’ve been able to bottle this formula. People who come to Hopkins, whether to teach or to train, have the option of going to a number of outstanding institutions. But they’re attracted to the atmosphere here. That’s why we’ve drawn the interest of more than 100 outstanding leaders in medicine nationwide in our search for a new department chief. The response validates the respect with which this department is viewed. And it’s clear, regardless of who is selected, that our long tradition of superb care and science will continue.
Yet, it’s not an easy fit. We need someone who has a background in investigation, because research is such a key part of our mission. But we also need someone who has the administrative and interpersonal skills to lead the department at a time when there are significant external challenges, like declining clinical reimbursements. How does one create the resources and flexibility within a department to respond to such financial and other concerns? How do we continue to recruit and retain the brightest?
In response, we’re engaged in a number of initiatives, including a big push to increase philanthropy. We’re also exploring ways to integrate the medicine departments at our East Baltimore and Bayview campuses, creating closer collaborations and operational efficiencies. And, of course, we’re continuing the collegiality that is so special here.