CHICAGO -- Nearly 300 principal investigators from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine gathered at the Fairmont Hotel for a day of discussion and brainstorming to generate transformative ideas that will help guide the Feinberg research enterprise for the next five years.
"My vision is to solidify our place as an elite medical school and we are on our way," --- Eric G. Neilson, MD, vice president for Medical Affairs and Lewis Landsberg Dean of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Over the course of nearly eight hours and three rounds of discussion, the scientists worked together to put forth impactful and strategic research ideas for Feinberg leadership to consider. Infrastructure needs were also addressed.
During each round of active tabletop discussion, facilitators recorded ideas into a web-based application. The ideas were projected onto screens around the room. After each round of discussion, the ideas were refined, voted upon and ranked.
Some ideas that rose to the top during the final ranking process included:
- Focusing on epigenetics/genomics/metabolics and environmental research in pediatric and adult disease
- Developing a lung health center or institute
- Creating sustained partnerships with communities for research
- Establishing an institute or center dedicated to personalized medicine and stem cells
- Becoming a world leader in myocardial biology
The hundreds of thoughts and suggestions generated during the retreat were recorded for future use and review. The event was managed by Learning & Organization Development staff from the Northwestern University Office of Human Resources, with support from Northwestern Information Technology. The retreat was hosted by Dean Neilson and Rex L. Chisholm, PhD, vice dean for Scientific Affairs at Feinberg.