-Adopted by the Board of Trustees on April 6, 2002

Mission Statement

The mission of Northwestern Health Sciences University is to advance and promote natural approaches to health through education, research, clinical services and community involvement.

Vision Statement

Our collective vision is to develop an environment that fosters exemplary, innovative and ethically based educational programs in natural health care. We will also support clinical research, provide leadership for the development of collaborative and integrated health care models, prepare students for successful careers, provide lifelong learning opportunities, and be of service to our community. Through assessment of the academic achievement of our learners and the effectiveness of our research and service programs, we will demonstrate our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.

Goals, Guiding Principles, and Fundamental Values

• We will provide an educational environment that fosters effective teaching and learning.
• We will improve the effectiveness of our educational, clinical and community service functions through institutional research and assessment.
• We will practice the science, art and ethics of our professional skills at the highest possible level, informed by evidence and clinical experience.
• We will create an institutional culture that values and cultivates respect, responsibility, diversity and communication.
• We will encourage and support clinical research as being necessary for improving the outcomes of care, and the credibility of all healing professions.
• We will work with professional associations, educational institutions, individual practitioners and others in the health care community to promote public health.
• We will establish an organizational structure and process supporting the responsibility of faculty for the ongoing assessment, development and improvement of our educational programs.
• We will establish a working and learning environment that fosters equity, respect, trust and the opportunity for personal and professional development.
• We will provide programs and support services that respond to the changing needs of our learners.
• We will emphasize the professional values, attitudes and behavior that we desire of our students in our academic programs.
• We will build stronger connections between our students and alumni.
• We will behave in a fiscally responsible manner in all aspects of the University operations.
• We will promote health and wellness throughout the University.
• We will prepare our graduates for practice in contemporary health care environments.
• We will support the professional activities, development and autonomy of the health care disciplines that exist within the University.
• We believe in and will promote a philosophy that the mind, body and spirit are inseparable in all matters of health.
• We believe that shared governance is essential to the health and vitality of our educational institution, therefore, we will establish mechanisms for collaboration among students, staff, faculty and administration.
• All clinical curricula will be supported by a basic science foundation, knowing that this is essential for assessment, diagnosis, clinical problem solving, treatment, preventive health and patient education.
• We value the strength a shared vision imparts that is based on institutional mission, values and principles.