By Sara Reeve
Speaking to faculty on the Health Sciences campus in his
first major speech about the academic future of the university, USC President
C. L. Max Nikias answered the question of why he chose this campus.
“Because we will be placing a spotlight on this campus,”
Nikias said. “This is your moment to shine–to shine on the Los Angeles stage,
and the national stage, and the international stage, as the Pacific Rim grows
in power and influence. Why this campus? Because the ancient and noble
profession involving medicine and human health is getting ready to dominate
this century.”
The address, held in the Mayer Auditorium on Wednesday, Aug.
25, acknowledged the university’s history as a “global research powerhouse,”
with a strong commitment to “conquering new intellectual frontiers.” Nikias
noted his belief that as the 21st century would be the age of
medicine and biology, medical schools and the biological and health sciences
would become more central to life at leading universities.
“All the leading universities will be known for their
medical and health sciences schools that perform translational research and
deliver world-class patient care by increasingly translating new ideas from the
laboratory to the clinic,” said Nikias.
Stating the desire to build on USC’s position as a leading
research university, Nikias described his priority to strengthen the Keck
School of Medicine and position it among the very best medical schools in the
country.
Key to that strengthening is the development of a vibrant
academic medical center. The April 2009 acquisition of USC University Hospital
and USC Norris Cancer Hospital, and the recent integration of all physician
practices into the university, has provided the university with fiduciary
control of all of its medical enterprise operations and an increased level of
autonomy.
“We are playing to win here,” he stated. “Let’s make no
mistake about it. When it comes to doing good for the world, we believe there
is a USC way to do it, and we compete for the right to do it the USC way. This
way is entrepreneurial, engaging, forward thinking, ethical, adaptable and
resilient. We aspire to put this approach to work as we build the very best
academic medical center in Southern California.”
Nikias outlined several initiatives designed to increase
patient revenue and prestige, both as a university and an academic medical
center with a top-tier medical school. He announced a campus beautification
project on tap for this year, which will provide a welcoming place for patients,
faculty, students and staff.
Referencing the legendary ability of the face of Helen of
Troy to launch 1,000 ships, Nikias joked, “If the new face of our City of Troy
could bring a few thousand new patients, we are all going to be very happy.”
Attracting new interdisciplinary faculty who can serve as
bridges between the campuses was also stated as a key priority by Nikias. He
acknowledged the recent $58.6 million Clinical and Translational Science Award
presented to USC by the National Institutes of Health as an example of the
stellar work that can be achieved when schools work together. The award-winning team is comprised of
faculty from eight different schools at USC.
“It is when our faculty, professors and students join with
others and learn to challenge our views that discovery and invention can reach
new levels on our campuses,” he said.
Key to all of these goals is an effort to increase revenue
substantially. Nikias told faculty to expect the announcement later this year of
the largest fundraising campaign in university history.
While the effort ahead may seem daunting, Nikias affirmed
that he believes the university’s position is strong, with plenty of untapped
potential.
“At the very moment when the center of gravity of our world
is shifting from the Atlantic to the Pacific, we will be able to extend USC’s
influence where it lies most,” he said. “Given USC’s location, our
international heritage and our academic strengths, this university can hope to
embody the intersection of the Pacific century and the biological century.”