Message from the Chair
Dear DFMPHS Community,
As we move through the winter season, I’m pleased to reflect on recent highlights from across our department and share a few important updates as we look ahead to the months to come.
We continue to make steady progress in planning for the emerging School of Public Health, and I am grateful to those who are contributing thoughtfully to this important institutional effort. As this transition evolves, it provides us with an opportunity to clarify and strengthen our own departmental identity and strategic direction.
Over the past several months, we have engaged in a focused and forward-looking rebranding and strategic planning initiative designed to position DFMPHS for the next era of impact. I invited our faculty and staff to join in a candid reassessment of who we are, what distinguishes us, and where we must lead. Through this collaborative process, we have refined our Vision, Mission, and core values to more clearly articulate our commitment to optimizing health and well-being for individuals, families, and communities. We have identified bold priorities for the next three to five years — strengthening and expanding our educational programs, accelerating impactful and innovative research, elevating clinical excellence and outcomes, and investing intentionally in faculty development and infrastructure. This work is not simply about refreshed language; it is about sharpening our focus, amplifying our strengths, and positioning our department to lead with clarity and purpose. We are currently engaging stakeholders for feedback to ensure this direction is both ambitious and achievable, and I look forward to sharing the finalized framework soon.
A highlight of the winter season was our DFMPHS Holiday Luncheon, which provided a wonderful opportunity to come together in celebration and gratitude. During this gathering, we proudly recognized the promotions of two outstanding faculty members: Dr. Rhonda Dailey, promoted to Associate Professor in the Research Track, and Dr. Rachel Mahas, promoted to Associate Professor in the Clinician Educator Track.
Also, last December, we celebrated the retirement of Dr. Juliann Binienda – a long-time faculty member, division leader, nationally recognized educator and accomplished scholar, who truly embodied the heart and soul of our department. I am very pleased to announce that she is now Professor Emeritus within our department. Congratulations again Dr. Binienda for a well-deserved retirement and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
Looking ahead, I encourage everyone to mark their calendars for our Annual Department Research Day, which will take place on April 16th at IBio. This event remains a cornerstone of our departmental calendar and offers a wonderful opportunity to showcase the innovative and impactful research and scholarship happening across DFMPHS. It is also a chance to celebrate our collective accomplishments, learn from one another, and spark new collaborations that move our research forward.
Thank you, as always, for your continued dedication, collaboration, and contributions to our department. I am grateful for all that you do and look forward to the exciting work ahead.
Warm regards, Jinping Xu, MD, MS
Professor and Chair, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences