Mission Statement Research Articles

A proposed roadmap: one department of surgery’s plan for diversity, equity, and inclusion

PurposeDisparities remain in academic surgery that negatively impact our patients and our community in multiple ways. The Department of Surgery (DoS) at Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU) formally established a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council in 2020 to address the multifaceted etiologies of these inequities. This manuscript describes the steps taken by this council to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workspace, which were guided by the framework provided in the white paper “Ensuring Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Academic Surgery” by West et al.MethodsThe DEI Council was constructed into four working groups: Antiracism, Gender Equity, LGBTQIA + , and Community Engagement. Each group is charged with a unique mission statement to address pertinent inequalities. Various initiatives include educational lectures, workshops, quality improvement and health advocacy projects.ResultsThe DEI Council has achieved progress by modifying hiring, promotion, and tenure policies and facilitating mentorship. Changes have been made to call expectations and lactation policies for residents and faculty who are expecting or new parents. Nine observerships and financially supported subinternships for underrepresented groups have been completed and will continue. DEI professional development modules, retreats, and monthly cultural humility discussions have been established. Cultural humility and competence of the DoS cohort has been measured through validated tools.ConclusionThere is much work ahead to achieve our DEI goals. This manuscript demonstrates progress that can be replicated and improved at other institutions as we all strive toward a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world of academic surgery.

IDEA AND PERSONA REPRESENTATION OF THE 2024 INDONESIA PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES: A SYSTEMIC FUNCTIONAL LINGUISTICS CASE STUDY

To achieve an ideal democratic process, voters need to have sufficient information about every candidate before making a well-informed decision. To understand the candidates’ values, one can look at their particular language choice which is realized in their idea representations from text elements (vision and mission statement) and persona representations from visual elements (campaign posters). Combining two theoretical frameworks, Systemic Functional Linguistics and The Grammar of Visual Design, this research aims to explain how presidential and vice presidential represent their ideas and personas through vision and mission and campaign posters in the 2024 Indonesia Presidential Election. Finding shows SFL and Visual Design Grammar can explain how politicians reflect their thought and ideas into set of material and mental clauses while supporting the clauses with respective posters, as shown by Candidate 1 and Candidate who enhance their ideas with a coherence visual elaboration, meanwhile Candidate 3 do not show idea and persona congruity in their texts and image representations

From Mission to Market: Assessing Sector Overlap Between Nonprofits and For-Profits

The ongoing debate about the distinctiveness of the nonprofit and for-profit sectors has intensified, particularly in light of recent research suggesting increasingly blurred boundaries due to the marketization of the nonprofit sector. In this study, we are the first to analyze mission statements ( n = 611,077) from both sectors to examine their distinctiveness and potential overlap. Our findings reveal that while the two sectors remain largely distinct, there is also significant overlap. This similarity is driven by marketization, with nonprofit organizations showing greater alignment with the for-profit sector than the reverse. Our results underscore concerns about the marketization of the nonprofit sector, as we find a negative correlation between marketization (similarity to the for-profit sector) and the expressive functions of nonprofit organizations. Although nonprofit organizations exhibit both strong expressive and instrumental functions, these two dimensions are negatively correlated within the sector, highlighting an inherent trade-off.

The Prehospital and Disaster Medicine Mission Statement.

This article discusses changes to the Prehospital and Disaster Medicine (PDM) mission statement which will take effect as of January 1, 2025. The new mission statement focuses on innovative, high-impact, evidence-based research.

Getting into Good Trouble: A case study on getting started in organized physician advocacy

The Good Trouble Coalition (GTC) was established in 2022 by healthcare and public health practitioners in Indiana, aiming to channel frustration into action amidst the politicization of public health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper focuses on the origins of GTC, detailing the motivations behind its formation, particularly the need to counter legislative attacks on public health and the patient-doctor relationship. It outlines the critical steps required to establish a nonprofit advocacy group, including gathering a multidisciplinary team, creating a mission statement, incorporating as a 501(c)(4), and securing funding and resources. Key actions taken by GTC in its first year include publishing an open letter against abortion bans, organizing legislative testimonies, engaging with media, and holding public protests. By sharing GTC’s journey, the paper aims to provide a roadmap for other healthcare professionals and public health workers interested in organizing for civic advocacy and promoting health equity.

Upcoming Changes to the Prehospital and Disaster Medicine Journal.

In this editorial, upcoming changes to the mission statement, available article types, and instructions for authors are highlighted. These changes are expected to start on January 1, 2025.

Critically evaluating university mission and vision statements

Critically evaluating university mission and vision statements

How Do We Assess Social Justice and Leadership at Institutions? A New Study Looks at Mission Statements

How Do We Assess Social Justice and Leadership at Institutions? A New Study Looks at Mission Statements

Making abstract values tangible: how European University Alliances construct their visual identity in the perspective of creativity

The European University Initiative established 64 transnational alliances of higher education institutions. Each of these European Universities Alliances seeks to align universities to enhance academic excellence and competitiveness of the European Higher Education Area. While branding of higher education institutions has become a professionalized practice, creating a transnational alliance poses challenges beyond traditional academic visual identity. The aim is to map out visual and discursive self-representation patterns of European University Alliances on their websites, involving European values such as for example, international cooperation, student mobility, and inclusivity. Using multimodal discourse analysis, this study examines online construction of academic identities of selected European University Alliances. It analyses (1) composition, colour, and typography used in European University Alliances’ logotypes; (2) the features of photographs and graphics; and (3) the typology of names and keywords in mission statements. The findings highlight the importance of generic imagery and compositional devices evoking positive emotional responses as well as recognizable cultural symbols and colours that align with the values of academia and “Europeanness”.

Essential work, invisible workers: The role of digital curation in COVID‐19 Open Science

AbstractIn this paper, we examine the role digital curation practices and practitioners played in facilitating open science (OS) initiatives amid the COVID‐19 pandemic. In Summer 2023, we conducted a content analysis of available information regarding 50 OS initiatives that emerged—or substantially shifted their focus—between 2020 and 2022 to address COVID‐19 related challenges. Despite growing recognition of the value of digital curation for the organization, dissemination, and preservation of scientific knowledge, our study reveals that digital curatorial work often remains invisible in pandemic OS initiatives. In particular, we find that, even among those initiatives that greatly invested in digital curation work, digital curation is seldom mentioned in mission statements, and little is known about the rationales behind curatorial choices and the individuals responsible for the implementation of curatorial strategies. Given the important yet persistent invisibility of digital curatorial work, we propose a shift in how we conceptualize digital curation from a practice that merely “adds value” to research outputs to a practice of knowledge production. We conclude with reflections on how iSchools can lead in professionalizing the field and offer suggestions for initial steps in that direction.

Do Physician Assistant Professional Doctorate Missions and Learning Outcomes Align With the Physician Assistant Professional Competencies?

Introduction There are little published data about curricula of physician assistant (PA) postprofessional doctoral programs. This study examined current mission statements and learning outcomes for common and emerging themes aligned with the PA professional competencies. Methods This qualitative study examined postprofessional doctoral programs that matriculated PAs as of December 2023. Program web sites were analyzed for mission or purpose statements and learning outcomes. Open coding of the PA professional competencies generated a final code list. Mission and purpose statements and learning outcomes were uploaded into ATLAS.ti and compared with the code list for common and emerging themes. Investigator triangulation confirmed themes. Results Twenty-two programs had mission statements on their websites. The most identified competency theme was the development of leadership skills (64%). Sixteen programs had learning outcomes for 30 concentrations. The most common competency themes in the concentrations' learning outcomes included knowledge/evidence (50%), leadership (40%), and communication (37%). Emerging themes comprised engaging in scholarly activity (29%) and performing research (37%). Discussion Because leadership was the most common theme in mission or purpose statements and learning outcomes, additional leadership training appears to be an area of focus for postprofessional PA programs. Despite common themes across the programs, there appears to be diversity in the areas of content focused on meeting the program's prospective students' needs more than alignment with the competencies. Including research and scholarly activity within postprofessional doctoral programs raises the question of whether this is an emerging area of focus that should be included in the PA professional competencies.

The Hidden Identity of Hispanic Serving Institutions in Texas

ABSTRACT The current study examined HSI-status identification in mission statements and main webpages of all Texas HSIs. Only four institutions explicitly mentioned their HSI status in their institution’s mission statement. Mission statements were also analyzed for keywords such as “diversity/diverse,” “culture/multicultural,” and “access.” Slightly more than half of the institution’s mission statements included related keywords. Webpages were observed for HSI status and/or other culturally diverse distinguishing banners and 14% of institutions advertised their HSI status on their website home page. These results align with and extend previous research and suggest that HSI status remains somewhat hidden. A more obvious presentation of HSI identity could enhance serving and better uphold the mission of the institution. However, obvious presentation may also be challenging in the current political climate in states like Texas.

Professional identity development of advanced practice nurses: Evaluating its integration in curricula and relevance for professional practice

AimTo demonstrate how students, alums and faculty view the effectiveness of the integration of university mission statements into curriculum and their significance for preparing for professional practice. BackgroundThis study builds on previous research exploring the influence of mission, vision and values statements in informing DNP program curricula and contributing to the development of students' professional identity by analyzing how the themes found were integrated into curricula and their perceived relevancy for practice. DesignA mixed-methods approach was used called Group Concept Mapping, which built on the previous qualitative data found using quantitative analysis. A DNP program in the U.S. American Midwest participated in this research. Participants included thirty-one students, alumni and faculty from this DNP program. Methods32 statements were generated from the previous study, where participants completed a sorting and rating activity in the Group Wisdom software system. Next, the participants sorted these same statements into groups based on their perceived similarity and the results were analyzed using two bivariate statistical methods that created concept maps. Lastly, participants further identified how each statement was clearly articulated in their DNP educational experiences and how relevant these themes were for professional practice. ResultsThe results suggest that the participants found most themes to be clearly articulated in the curriculum and found them relevant to practice. ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that educational experiences that allow nurses to develop a professional identity are well-integrated into the DNP curriculum and that these themes have relevance to professional practice.

Correction: English medium instruction in Ethiopian university mission statements and language policies

Correction: English medium instruction in Ethiopian university mission statements and language policies

Effects on personal and cultural wellbeing of attending free community outreach concerts given by a professional orchestra

Despite hundreds of investigations into the benefits of arts engagement for health and wellbeing, much of what we know comes from research in clinical settings, and little is understood about the positive effects of attending live musical performances. As many professional orchestras have begun re-examining their purpose and mission statements, they also seek ways to measure their impact beyond ticket sales and donations in hopes of highlighting positive effects on concertgoers and their community. The purpose of this study was to explore the impacts of a free community outreach concert series provided by a professional orchestra on individual and community wellbeing in a large city in the United States. The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews, paired interviews, and a focus group with 18 participants between the ages of 18 and 77 years. Abductive analysis allowed us to consider emerging themes and pre-existing theories of wellbeing concurrently. The results showed three primary areas of impact on concert attendees’ wellbeing: emotional, social, and cultural. Concert attendance fostered positive emotional states and reduced negative emotions, led to personal feelings of connection with the orchestra and across the community, and contributed to personal- and local-cultural wellbeing. In addition to reinforcing much of the prior scholarship on the effects on wellbeing of arts participation, particularly in the emotional and social domains, the results highlight new possible connections between community outreach programs and increased cultural wellbeing.

The development of the National Council for Osteopathic Research - Research Network (NCOR-RN): A qualitative focus group study of osteopaths’ views

BackgroundPractice Based Research Networks (PBRNs) are groups of clinicians working with academic organisations to conduct research that answers questions relevant to clinical practice. A PBRN for osteopathy in the UK would be a suitable approach for the National Council for Osteopathic Research to achieve its mission statement of ‘developing a culture of research’. ObjectiveWe aimed to explore osteopaths’ views on the utility of creating a PBRN and to identify barriers and facilitators to their involvement in a PBRN. MethodsFocus groups were conducted as part of a free CPD day advertised nationally to all osteopaths to collect qualitative data. A reflexive thematic analysis framework was used to develop themes from the data. ResultsForty osteopaths took part in 5 focus groups conducted at three locations around the UK. Six themes were developed describing the utility, barriers, and facilitators to developing a PRBN for osteopathy: research experience, finance and time, developing osteopathy, insecurity and identity, integration into practice, and PBRN organisation. ConclusionsOsteopaths perceived a PBRN had the potential for increasing the evidence base for osteopathy, enhancing the status of the profession, and improving patient care. Various barriers and facilitators to their involvement with a PBRN were identified.

Investigating the role of community organizations in communicating extreme weather events in New York City: A content analysis.

The communication of extreme weather forecasts (e.g., heatwaves and extreme precipitation) is a challenge for weather forecasters and emergency managers who are tasked with keeping residents safe during often unprecedented situations. Weather models have inherent uncertainty, and the ability for potentially life-saving information to get to the people who need it most (e.g., those who need to evacuate) remains a challenge despite the proliferation of digital access to information and social media sites like Twitter. It is also unclear the role that community-based organizations and super-local governmental entities play or may play during weather events in transmitting weather information and providing assistance. In New York City, there remains robust inequality, with communities that are historically disadvantaged often suffering the highest number of deaths and level of destruction following weather events. Results from interviewing 26 New York City community leaders suggest that local organizations often act as intermediaries, passing on official weather information to members of their audience, regardless of the mission statement of their organization. Common challenges for communities in responding to extreme weather include lack of access to information, language barriers, and insufficient resources. Considerations for future weather communication strategies are discussed.

Embedding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into the Career Curricula

The United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals provide a framework for addressing global challenges, linking environmental sustainability to individual and social well-being and social justice. This article explores how embedding the SDGs into career development can enhance career exploration and contribute to a sustainable future. Drawing on experiences from teaching a senior career capstone course, it highlights strategies for integrating the SDGs into career interventions. Key components include developing personal mission statements, researching organizations, analyzing future work trends, and conducting informational interviews. The article also presents evidence of the course's impact on students' thinking and provides practical advice for implementation.

Not Walking the Talk: The Effect of Prioritizing Profit or ESG Impact on Employee Behavior Across ESG Impact- and Shareholder Value-Focused Mission Statements

ABSTRACT We experimentally examine the impact of mission-statement focus (environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impact or shareholder value) on employee effort before and after firm trade-off actions prioritizing ESG impact or profit. We find that employees exert more initial effort given an ESG-impact (versus shareholder-value) mission. However, subsequent trade-off actions can be costly for firms with ESG-impact missions. Regardless of a firm’s mission statement focus, employees respond positively to actions that prioritize ESG impact over profit; however, relative to a firm with a shareholder-value mission, a firm with an ESG-impact mission will experience more negative employee responses when the firm takes actions that prioritize profit over ESG impact. Further, firms with ESG-impact missions cannot easily reverse the negative effects of their profit-prioritizing actions; employee effort does not revert to original levels if the action is subsequently reversed. Finally, we provide evidence that mission-statement focus and firm actions influence employee turnover intentions.

Situating the science of disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) in Nepal for policy and planning

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) emphasises the necessity for “more science” in advancing Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR); however, this initiative often falters in developing countries. This paper utilises a situated knowledge framework from feminist science studies to analyse the knowledge institutionalisation pathways of two Scientific Administrative Organisations (SAOs) in Nepal: the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) and the Department of Mines and Geology (DMG). These organisations are pivotal in generating knowledge advisories for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM). Our findings indicate that knowledge production processes within these institutions are profoundly shaped by their contextual realities. Notably, the understanding of what constitutes “science” for DRR is influenced by the vision and mission statements of the SAOs, which are further informed by national mandates. The study also reveals entrenched knowledge hierarchies and power dynamics that elevate hazard research to “core science,” while relegating social science-based risk assessments to a secondary role. By examining these SAOs, we highlight how SAOs operational context complicates the straightforward demand for “more science”. To address these challenges, we argue for greater visibility of the operational context of these SAOs and emphasise the need to reassess their positioning within the DRR landscape to meet the evolving expectations for risk-based scientific advisories.