2. Mission of the University

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2.1 Mission Statement

Adventist University of Health Sciences, a Seventh-day Adventist institution, specializes in the education of professionals in healthcare. Service-oriented and guided by the values of Nurture, Excellence, Spirituality, and Stewardship, the University seeks to develop leaders who will practice healthcare as a ministry.

2.2 Vision Statements

The University Board of Trustees sets the official policies of the institution. It then charges the executive leadership of the institution to formulate and carry out strategies to implement those policies. To this end, the President, after consultation with his advisors, has issued four Vision Statements, which indicate in comprehensive terms the direction in which he wants to move the institution in fulfilling its mission. These four Vision Statements are:

Vision Statement I - Nurture

ADU will be an institution which encourages the personal and professional development of its students, faculty, and staff by nourishing their spiritual growth, fostering their self-understanding, and encouraging a passion for both knowledge and service.

Vision Statement II - Excellence

ADU will be an institution whose programs are built upon a wise blend of superior pedagogy and technology with spiritual values, which results in the highest level of professional practice by its graduates.

Vision Statement III - Spirituality

ADU will be an institution where Christian professionalism is such a part of each educational program that it becomes the distinguishing characteristic of its graduates’ professional practice.

Vision Statement IV - Stewardship

ADU will be an institution where growth is achieved by the prudent application of its physical, pedagogical, and financial capabilities to the educational needs of the healthcare industry in general and of Florida Hospital in particular.

2.3 Learning Outcomes

The faculty of Adventist University identified certain attributes they desire our students to demonstrate and value upon graduation from our institution of learning. We are committed to the inclusion of these attributes in our courses and personal and professional practices. The outcomes are reflected below:

Caring

The ADU graduate will be a caring professional who possesses a willingness to nurture other individuals in the context of healthcare as a ministry.

A caring individual:

1. Defines the concept of caring.
2. Identifies the principles of caring.
3. Engages in caring behaviors.
4. Analyzes the impact of caring behaviors in healthcare.
5. Evaluates caring behaviors of one’s self and others in healthcare.
6. Constructs new caring strategies for quality improvement in healthcare.

Communication

The ADU graduate will be an effective communicator who possesses appropriate verbal, nonverbal and written skills in the practice of healthcare as a ministry.

The effective communicator:

1. Employs appropriate mechanics, grammar and word usage based on American Standard English.
2. Organizes and presents thoughts in a coherent form.
3. Adapts both written and oral communication to the target audience.
4. Analyzes and critiques the communication of oneself and/or others.
5. Reads and evaluates research reports within the healthcare field.
6. Designs and presents scholarly activity.

Critical Thinking

The ADU graduate will be a critical thinker who gathers relevant information and analyzes and uses that knowledge in practicing healthcare as a ministry.

The critical thinker:

1. Identifies critical thinking strategies.
2. Interprets meaning using critical thinking strategies.
3. Classifies information using critical thinking strategies.
4. Develops solutions for complex problems.
5. Evaluates solutions for complex problems.
6. Uses critical thinking strategies in the design and implementation of scholarly activities.

Ethical/Moral

The ADU graduate will exhibit the characteristics of a Christian professional, treating everyone with respect and dignity in the context of healthcare as a ministry.

The ethical/moral individual:

1. Identifies the principles of moral/ethical behavior.
2. Illustrates principles of ethical/moral behavior.
3. Rates or ranks the importance of ethical/moral principles.
4. Applies ethical/moral principles in decision making.
5. Evaluates the ethical/moral principles in healthcare practice.
6. Integrates ethical/moral principles in healthcare practice.

Lifelong Learning

The ADU graduate will be a lifelong learner who pursues excellence and the ongoing acquisition of knowledge and professional expertise in the practice of healthcare as a ministry.

The lifelong learner:

1. Defines the principles of lifelong learning.
2. Reflects on learning strategies.
3. Engages in a variety of learning opportunities.
4. Demonstrates information fluency.
5. Examines growth and improvement in learning experiences.
6. Develops a personal plan for lifelong learning.

Professional Expertise

The ADU graduate will demonstrate professional expertise by passing appropriate professional examinations and exhibiting proficiencies within the context of healthcare as a ministry.

The professional:

1. Demonstrates an adequate knowledge base of their profession.
2. Performs skills appropriate to the clinical environment.
3. Advocates for the patients.
4. Examines the impact and effectiveness of the profession.
5. Supports the profession within the arena of healthcare.
6. Constructs new ideas and/or practices for improvement in the profession.

Service to the Community

The ADU graduate will be one who fulfills their social, civic and environmental responsibilities through their involvement in healthcare as a ministry.

The serving individual:

1. Identifies the needs of underserved populations.
2. Explains the importance of participating in a professional community.
3. Examines strategies to provide service to the community.
4. Engages with civic entities.
5. Evaluates service opportunities completed through self-reflection and peer evaluations.
6. Designs solutions to assist populations in need.