Strategic Plan for Diagnostic & Treatment Sciences

Context For Planning

The Department of Diagnostic and Treatment Sciences was created in January of 2014, It consists of 5 different programs: Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Medical Dosimetry, Medical Laboratory Science, Radiation Therapy, and Therapeutic Recreation. There are 17 faculty members, 1 full-time and 1 part-time PSS that make up the department. These are all secondary admit, undergraduate programs with the exception of the Medical Dosimetry program which is a master's level graduate program. There is a plan that includes exploring the possibility of developing and implementing a master's level graduate program in Therapeutic Recreation. Additionally, there is a focus on increasing the size of cohorts within the Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Radiation Therapy, and Medical Dosimetry programs. As part of this growth, and impacting the Medical Laboratory Science and Therapeutic Recreation programs as well, there is an emphasis on recruiting a more diverse student population. Finally, there is a continuous effort to engage in the process of continual quality improvement for all aspects of the programs.

Mission

To prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be impactful and competent practitioners, enabling the provision of quality health-care services.

Vision

The Department of Diagnostic and Treatment Sciences is focused on inspiring students to be life-long learners who will continually exhibit a passion for their profession and strive to be impactful, competent, and innovative practitioners who contribute to the overall health and wellness of their communities.

Value Statement

Life-long learning
Innovative practice
Passion for our professions
Community connection
High quality & impactful practice

Strategic Priorities, outcomes, and key objectives

Strategic Priority Area 1: Actively engage learners at all levels.

Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.

Objective 1.A.1

At least 90% of undergraduate students participate in two or more other high-impact learning experiences prior to graduation, in addition to supplemental writing skills, general education issues, and capstone courses.

Baseline

Currently this is not tracked. Begin to track to establish baseline.

Progress

2019 Status
Achieved
Across all 5 undergraduate programs in the Department of Diagnostic and Treatment Sciences, 100% of students participated in 2 or more high impact experiences prior to graduation.

2018 Status
Achieved
100% of undergraduate students continue to participate in two or more high-impact learning experiences across all programs in the department.

Outcome B: Grand Valley is diverse and inclusive.

Objective 1.B.1

Increase diversity of students to 10%

Baseline

Across the programs in the DTS department the range of underrepresented groups is currently at 8%.

Progress

2019 Status
Achieved
Diversity has slightly increased from last year (19.5% v 19.3%). Underrepresented groups include males, race/ethnicity, adult learner and military.

2018 Status
Achieved
Increase in overall diversity of students in the DTS department to a level of 19.3% from 16.2% last year

Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.

Objective 1.C.1

All program/emphasis areas within DTS will have advisory boards made up of diverse audience of interests that will meet a minimum of 1x/yr.

Baseline

Currently not tracked

Progress

2019 Status
Achieved
All programs have advisory boards that meet at least 1x/year and are made up of diverse audiance of interests.

2018 Status
Achieved
All programs have advisory boards that meet at least 1x/yr and are made up of diverse audience of interests.

Outcome D: Grand Valley supports innovative teaching, learning, integrative scholarly and creative activity, and the use of new technologies.

Objective 1.D.1

Faculty from all programs will evaluate, and where appropriate, integrate new technologies to support delivery of curriculum.

Baseline

No baseline has been established.

Progress

2019 Status
Achieved
All programs within the department regularly evaluate and integrate new technology as appropriate.

2018 Status
Achieved
All programs within the department report the introduction of new technology on a regular basis.

Strategic Priority Area 2: Further develop exceptional personnel.

Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.

Objective 2.A.1

100% of programs/emphasis areas will achieve maximum level of accreditation

Baseline

Currently 5 of the 6 programs/emphasis areas are accredited at their maximum levels.

Progress

2019 Status
Substantive Progress
The Recreation Therapy program received the maimum level of accreditation for its initial accreditation period which began in 2019 so at this point 5 of 6 programs in the department have the maximum level of accreditation possible.

2018 Status
Substantial Progress
Four of the five currently accredited programs are currently at their maximum level of accreditation. It is anticipated that the Therapeutic Recreation program will receive the maximum level of accreditation for it's initial accreditation which will be reported in the winter of 2019. The MLS program did not receive the maximum level of accreditation due to an area of minor non-compliance during their most recent re-accreditation.

Outcome B: Grand Valley is diverse and inclusive.

Objective 2.B.1

To gather from each program/emphasis area what outreach is being conducted and/or planned to reach underrepresented groups.

Baseline

No current data collected.

Progress

2019 Status
Achieved
Each program has involvement in specific activities focused on outreach to underrepresented group

2018 Status
Achieved
Information is gathered on an annual basis from each program regarding outreach to underrepresented groups.

Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.

Objective 2.C.1

Over any 4 year period, 100% of faculty will participate in state, national, or international professional associations through service or scholarship activities.

Baseline

Not currently tracked

Progress

2019 Status
Achieved
All programs in the deparment have 100% faculty who have met this objective.

2018 Status
Achieved
All faculty from all programs in the department met this objective for the given four year period. MLS has one new faculty not listed as meeting this but is not counted due to the 4 year time period allowance.

Outcome D: Grand Valley supports innovative teaching, learning, integrative scholarly and creative activity, and the use of new technologies.

Objective 2.D.1

100% of regular department faculty will complete the hybrid/online endorsement program.

Baseline

Current <50% of regular department faculty hold this endorsement.

Progress

2019 Status
Achieved
Completion of the hybrid/online endorsement program is part of the onboarding process for all new faculty.

2018 Status
Achieved
100% of faculty hold this endorsement and it is part of the onboarding process for all new faculty to ensure continued compliance

Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.

Objective 2.E.1

To examine the allocation of fiscal/human/space/support resources to programs/emphasis areas to determine fairness and equity to promote excellence in teaching.

Baseline

Budgets have not been analyzed for comparison purposes.

Progress

2019 Status
Achieved
Review of budgets find that they are fair and equitable across programs.

2018 Status
Achieved
Review of budgets find that they are fair and equitable across programs.

Strategic Priority Area 3: Ensure the alignment of institutional structures and functions.

Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.

Objective 3.A.1

Complete plan for development of expanding programs in the department

Baseline

TR master's program prospectus submitted; anticipated timeline of program proposal and courses to be submitted during AY 2016-17 with expected start of F 2018.

Progress

2018 Status
Substantive Progress
Master's program in Therapeutic Recreation now has an anticipated start of F2020 for the one year program and F2021 for the two year program. Invasive Cardiovascular Sonography program is being developed outside the unit but will be brought into the unit once it starts.

2017 Status
Substantive Progress
Master's Program in Therapeutic Recreation has been delayed with anticipated start of F2019.

Strategic Priority Area 4: Enhance the institution's image and reputation.

Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.

Objective 4.A.1

Pass rate for all credentialing exams taken by students in the program/emphasis areas will exceed national and state averages for pass rates.

Baseline

5 out of 6 program/emphasis areas report passing rates greater than national pass rates.

Progress

2019 Status
Achieved
All programs have a pass rate which exceeds national averages for discipline credentialing exams. State averages are not available for comparison.

2018 Status
Substantial Progress
All undergraduate programs have a pass rate which exceeds national averages. State averages not available for any programs. Graduate program - Medical Dosimetry had a 73% pass rate for 2018 with a national average of 78.5%.

Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.

Objective 4.C.1

Each program will send out certificates of appreciation on an annual basis to each community organization/agency that has engaged in any type of partnership or collaboration.

Baseline

In place at 100% with some program/emphasis areas. No data for other program/emphasis area.

Progress

2019 Status
Achieved
Certificates of appreciation are sent out by the Vice Provost's for Health office on an annual basis.

2018 Status
Achieved
All programs ensure that some type of recognition is given to each community organization/agency that has engaged in any type of partnership or collaboration.

Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.

Objective 4.E.1

All programs/emphases will establish and update respective websites to accurately reflect current state of programs/emphases with assistance from college web page designer.

Baseline

No baseline

Progress

2019 Status
Achieved
All websites up to date and operational

2018 Status
Achieved
All websites are up to date and operational

Objective 4.E.2

All programs/emphases will maintain up to date websites.

Baseline

Currently 3 of 6 websites are up to date.

Progress

2019 Status
Achieved
All websites up to date

2018 Status
Achieved
All websites are up to date

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