Department of Medicine

Dalhousie University

Strategic Plan

Department-of-Medicine-Strategic-Plan-2026-30-Cover

Forward Together 2026-2030

Forward Together 2026-2030

Our roadmap for advancing clinical care, education, research, and organizational excellence over the next five years.

 

The Department of Medicine’s 2026-2030 Strategic Plan builds on the foundation established through our former plan, Forward Together 2020-2024, while responding to the evolving realities of academic medicine and healthcare.

Developed through broad engagement with department members, the Faculty of Medicine, and Nova Scotia Health, Forward Together 2026-2030 reflects a collective commitment to advancing clinical care, education, research, wellness, and system improvement.

Grounded in our mission, vision, values, and “true north” — the health of people and communities in the Maritimes and beyond — this plan provides a clear framework for how we will move forward together over the next five years.

Our Areas of Priority

Foundations for Success

Strengthening the people, systems, culture, infrastructure, and supports that enable excellence across all areas of the Department.

Key focus areas include:

  • Well-being and workplace culture
  • Leadership and workforce capacity
  • Administrative supports and operational excellence
  • Innovation and emerging technologies
  • Quality improvement and sustainability

Clinical Care

Advancing coordinated, inclusive, and sustainable models of care that improve patient experiences, strengthen partnerships, and support better health outcomes.

Key focus areas include:

  • Community and primary care partnerships
  • Access, flow, and system navigation
  • Multidisciplinary and inclusive models of care
  • Clinical stewardship and sustainability
  • Data-informed improvement and innovation

Education

Creating connected, supportive learning environments that foster excellence across undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing professional medical education.

Key focus areas include:

  • Educational infrastructure and coordination
  • Clinical educator development
  • Accreditation and educational quality
  • Learner wellness and mentorship
  • Educational scholarship and innovation

Research

Building a more collaborative, accessible, and well-supported research environment that advances innovation, discovery, and system impact.

Key focus areas include:

  • Research infrastructure and administrative support
  • Collaboration across research systems
  • Investigator-initiated research
  • Grant and project-development support
  • Research communication and visibility

Developing the Plan

This strategic plan was developed through a broad and iterative engagement process spanning more than a year.

Guided by a dedicated strategic planning committee, the Department gathered input through surveys, open houses, interviews, department meetings, and divisional discussions, while also engaging partners across Dalhousie University and Nova Scotia Health. In total, more than 700 pieces of feedback were collected and considered throughout the development process.

Three guiding principles shaped the development of the plan:

  • A systems approach that recognizes the interconnected nature of clinical care, education, and research
  • An evidence-informed approach grounded in data, experience, and leading practices
  • A commitment to ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement

This work reflects the collective insight, expertise, and commitment of our department members, partners, and broader community.

Moving Forward Together

With the strategic plan in place, the Department’s focus now shifts toward implementation.

Over the coming years, we will work with clinical and academic leaders, teams, and partners across the university and healthcare systems to translate these goals and strategies into detailed action plans with clear responsibilities, timelines, and measures of success.

We are committed to ongoing collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement as we move this work forward together.

Resources