University of Virginia Health System

Sim S. Galazka
Professor and Chair

I endeavor to keep their attention fixed on the main objects of
all science, the freedom and happiness of man.

Thomas Jefferson, Monticello, February 26, 1810

The Department of Family Medicine at the University of Virginia was established based upon the fundamental values of compassion and knowledge, the blending of which are at the heart of the discipline of family medicine. This academic Department embodies a strong spirit and tradition of clinical excellence developed and evolved from its inception. This spirit includes values of integrity, kindness, collaboration, caring, and a commitment to the well being of patients, students, faculty, and staff. The present Department includes a cohesive dedicated group of faculty, resident physicians, and staff devoted to serving their patients, colleagues, the University and the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

From this strong base, the Department is striving to strengthen and develop its programs in scholarship and research, medical education, and clinical care. The Department is supported by a milieu within the School of Medicine characterized by strong leadership committed to clinical and scholarly excellence, a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration across disciplines, and a sense of both humility and pride within the faculty in their accomplishments and challenges.

In this context, the Department is becoming a national leader in Family Medicine by incorporating a spirit of innovation and change into its core values. A good department, like a good physician, should always be examining its actions, learning from experience, and attempting to improve, questing for new and better ways to achieve its goals. Scholarship and research are expressed through the pursuit of new knowledge and understanding about clinical problems encountered by patients and in the development of new clinical methods to enhance patient's health. Because family practice is about caring for patients and families, research activities focus on ways of improving the health of patients and communities while emphasizing prevention and wellness along with better ways to diagnose and treat commonly encountered problems. Specifically the Department's research focuses on three themes: 1) disease prevention and health promotion, 2) eliminating health disparities, and 3) clinical quality enhancement. Because the health of populations and communities should underlie these activities, the Department also focuses on the development of Information Mastery as a new clinical method for applying the best information available to the care of patients. Because of the rural nature of central Virginia, the Department includes an emphasis on rural health care in its research, education, and clinical programs.

Education lies next to scholarship in the heart of the Department. Excellence and innovation in education extends to teaching of residents, improving faculty performance, and helping practicing community-based physicians throughout the Commonwealth enhance their skills and abilities. The Department reaches beyond the bounds of its current domain to its affiliated residency programs in Lynchburg and Roanoke and to any other organizations interested in a collaborative mutually beneficial working relationship.

Teaching all medical students the principles, clinical methods, and techniques of family practice is an essential task for the Department. Implementation and maintenance of a comprehensive four year curriculum in Family Medicine assures that the Department meets these educational priorities, supporting the development of accessible primary health care within the University and Commonwealth of Virginia.

Compassionate, comprehensive, and effective clinical care to patients and families is the soul of the Department. Continuing to develop a sound clinical faculty base within the community is essential to the integrity of the Department. Strong ties to practicing family doctors throughout Virginia must be maintained through programs to support the continuing maintenance of sound clinical skills and techniques. Because family practice is a community-based specialty, education and research must occur in the community and be accomplished together with clinical faculty.

Finally, the Department's own clinical base must be sound in order to provide immediate instrumental support to faculty. Enhancing the ability of faculty and residents to care for their patients is a major priority. Facilities renovation in the Primary Care Center practice is an immediate task currently underway to support this work.

This Department is evolving from its present strong position within the School of Medicine to become a regional and national resource. Building upon its current solid clinical and educational reputation and programs, the Department and faculty are exploring new, creative, and innovative ways to enhance the health care of the people of Virginia. This endeavor is supported by a strong commitment from the leadership of the medical school and Health Sciences Center to assure the Family Practice is at the heart of primary care activities in education, critical inquiry, and clinical care. The future for this Department is filled with potential and excitement!