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    Hot Topic Discussions: Strategic Planning and Management

    The Group on Institutional Planning (GIP) Strategic Planning and Management Subcommittee supports the academic medicine community by sharing best practices, developing resources, and fostering dialogue on key issues in strategic planning.

    Since 2020, the subcommittee has hosted monthly "hot topic" discussions on areas such as developing, implementing, and monitoring strategic plans, aligning budgeting with planning, and communicating institutional priorities.

    To enhance usability and navigation, we’ve organized the content by topic area. While some discussions date back several years, the insights remain timely and highly relevant.

    This page highlights important conversations led by the GIP Strategic Planning and Management Subcommittee. Browse the topic areas below to find summaries and materials most applicable to your work.

    For questions or to get involved, contact us at gip@aamc.org.

    Strategic Planning Assessment & Development

    The Role of Assessment in Strategic Planning

    Date: July 2020
    Carolyn Brayko, PhD, and Leslie Johnson, MBA, discussed how assessment is critical to both launching and sustaining strategic plans. Selecting relevant metrics and avoiding “analysis paralysis” is key. Focused, data-driven evaluation supports impactful decision-making.
    Materials:
    Presentation slides (PDF)
    Reference resource, “Data-Driven Strategic Planning Moves Missions Farther Faster”

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    Strategic Planning Implementation & Monitoring

    How to Keep a Strategic Plan Moving

    Date: January 2024
    Erin Shirey, MPA, offered tips for maintaining momentum after a plan is launched. Key strategies include identifying champions, setting clear timelines, and using dashboards for tracking progress. Flexibility and tailored communication are essential for continued success.
    Materials: Presentation slides (PDF)

    Strategic Plan Tracking and Performance

    Date: September 2022
    Cassie Eno, PhD, and Jacki Reyes Hull, EdD, shared strategies for tracking strategic plan goals, simplifying progress updates for stakeholders, and maintaining accountability post-implementation. Institutions must define roles early and maintain regular updates to ensure accountability. Visual tools and clear metrics improve transparency and execution.
    Materials: Presentation slides (PDF)

    Strategic Plan Implementation and Stakeholder Engagement

    Date: June 2024
    Tina Caruso and Janice Renfro, MBA, shared how stakeholder engagement was crucial in launching a comprehensive strategic plan at Washington University and BJC Healthcare. The process unified multiple departments and partners under shared goals. Lessons learned emphasized cultural, political, and economic dynamics.
    Materials: Presentation slides (PDF)

    Implementing and Operationalizing Your Strategic Plan

    Date: August 2021
    Gerona McGrath, MBA, MEd, outlined how project management methodology helped implement Memorial University’s plan. Her presentation shared successes, challenges, and lessons learned. Execution, not just development, is key to strategic plan impact.
    Materials: Presentation slides (PDF)

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    Organizational Structure

    Organizational Structure and Its Impact on Strategic Planning

    Date: December 2024
    Andrea DiMattia, EdD, and Teresa Isbell, PhD, led a conversation on how unique academic structures influence strategic planning. Participants highlighted matrixed reporting systems, leadership turnover, and equity considerations. Adapting to institutional complexity is essential for successful planning implementation.
    Materials: Presentation slides (PDF)

    Organizational Structure Around Strategy and Staffing

    Dates: February 2021 and January 2022
    David Hefner, EdD, led a discussion on how strategy offices are structured and staffed across medical schools. Differences in reporting lines, leadership, and scope of work impact effectiveness. Understanding structural variation helps institutions optimize their planning approach.
    Materials: Presentation slides (PDF)

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    Culture, Values, and Inclusion in Strategic Planning

    Weaving Institutional Values into Your Culture

    Date: January 2025
    Erin Shirey, MPA, shared strategies for embedding mission and values into everyday institutional life. At Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, a values campaign helped unify students, faculty, and staff around shared principles like excellence and compassion. Keeping values clear and actionable supports a lasting, positive culture.
    Materials: Presentation slides (PDF)

    Strategic Planning Through a Change Management & Inclusion Lens

    Date: March 2025
    Sookyung Suh, PhD, PMP, emphasized the importance of inclusive, collaborative approaches to strategic planning in academic medicine. Institutions benefit from engaging diverse voices and using problem-solving frameworks to foster creativity and collaboration. By investing time in relationship-building and making the process enjoyable, leaders can enhance engagement and impact.
    Materials: Presentation slides (PDF)

    Inclusion of Different Voices in the Planning Process

    Date: January 2023
    Gerona McGrath, MBA, MEd, emphasized the value of diverse perspectives in planning. Involving faculty and staff early fosters buy-in and shared ownership. Co-chaired project teams helped Memorial University embed inclusion throughout the plan’s lifecycle.
    Materials: Presentation slides (PDF)

    Staff Participation in Strategic Planning and Management

    Date: February 2024
    Stefanie Carter, EdD, and Katie Maietta, MPPM, highlighted the importance of staff involvement in planning and decision-making. From new to established institutions, engaging staff improves morale, retention, and innovation. They also discussed challenges and national opportunities for inclusive participation.
    Materials: Presentation slides (PDF)

    Intersection of Strategic Planning and Institutional Culture

    Date: March 2021
    David Hefner, EdD, and Leslie Johnson, MBA, explored how aligning institutional culture with strategic planning supports long-term success. Leaders must embed values and behaviors into the planning process. Organizational structure and leadership engagement support this synergy.
    Materials: Presentation slides (PDF)

    Structure of Accountability

    Date: February 2022
    Erin Shirey, MPA, detailed a strategic planning process that emphasized leadership buy-in and transparent communication. Creating goal-specific teams and frequent reporting strengthened accountability. Participants discussed metrics, funding, and reporting variations.
    Materials: Presentation slides (PDF)

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    Change Management & Continuous Quality Improvement

    Organizational Change Management Models and Processes

    Date: September 2024
    Sookyung Suh, PhD, PMP, and Caitlin Wolf, MBA, provided frameworks and tools for navigating organizational change. Their session offered models, templates, and real-world insights to guide strategic planning through transitions. Attendees left with actionable strategies to support institutional success.
    Materials: Presentation slides (PDF)

    Match Rate Improvement Using Root Cause Analysis

    Date: September 2021
    Teresa Isbell, PhD, shared how her institution improved medical student Match rates using root cause analysis and the Five Whys methodology. She shared a CQI action plan tied to accreditation standards. Linking data to outcomes helped drive improvement efforts.
    Materials: Presentation slides (PDF)

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    Innovation, Environment, and Emerging Issues

    Integrating Climate Action and Sustainability in Strategic Planning

    Date: July 2024
    William T. Mallon, EdD, urged academic medicine to prioritize climate change as a health crisis. Medical schools must reduce carbon emissions, fortify infrastructure, and integrate sustainability into strategic goals. The AAMC supports institutions in taking action across clinical and academic settings.
    Materials:
    Presentation slides (PDF)
    View recording

    Intersection of Strategy and the Physical Environment

    Date: August 2022
    Kim Case-Nichols, MBA, explored how space planning and strategic planning intersect at a growing medical school. Facility expansion informed student needs and programming. Collaborative planning ensured infrastructure supported strategic goals.
    Materials: Presentation slides (PDF)

    Internationalization of Medical Schools

    Date: July 2022
    Gerona McGrath, MBA, MEd, described efforts to globalize Memorial University’s medical programs. International electives and global health initiatives were guided by values like reciprocity and equity. Breaking silos enabled collaboration among faculty, staff, and learners..
    Materials: Presentation slides (PDF)

    Strategic Alignment with Partner Organizations

    Date: February 2025
    Jeremy Franklin, PhD, Ariel Keklak, MPH, and Sara Lin, MPH, explored the challenges of aligning strategic planning across complex organizational structures. Institutions often face siloed efforts, leading to misaligned goals. Effective collaboration with partners and early feedback loops are key to developing cohesive strategic plans.
    Materials:
    University of Utah Health slides (PDF)
    University of California, Davis School of Medicine slides (PDF)

    Alignment on Budget and Strategic Planning

    Date: May 2025
    Ron Bates, MBA (University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Medicine), and Rebecca Hall, PhD (Houston Methodist), shared how their institutions are aligning strategic planning with budgeting. Houston Methodist uses a modular plan tied to financial forecasting, balancing optimization and growth opportunities. UNLV’s new medical school is working to align university and practice plan budgets to better support strategic priorities and long-term investment.
    Materials:
    Presentation (PDF)
    UNLV Budget and Strategic Plan Alignment (PDF)

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