Mission
The mission of the University of Western States is to improve the health of
society and advance the science and art of integrated health care through
leadership and excellence in health sciences education, service, and the
enhancement of knowledge through research and scholarship.
Vision
UWS is committed to improving the quality of human life. We will be a leader
in education and healthcare, renowned for our programs, facilities and
people. We will achieve excellence through transformative practices in
teaching and learning, scholarship, wellness promotion, and by fostering
professional and community relationships.
Values
At the University of Western States (UWS), we value:
The patient
The highest priority at UWS is the consumer of the health care delivered by
the University’s faculty, students and graduates. From the recipient of a
simple health care screening, to a massage therapy client, to a patient
receiving care from a physician, there can be no greater importance than the
needs and trust of the person receiving that care.
Teaching excellence and lifelong learning
As an institution of higher education, the University is committed to
excellence in teaching and the promotion of a supportive and innovative
learning environment that guides, enhances and nurtures student learning and
understanding. Faculty and students desire to work collectively to develop
habits of self-inquiry, discovery, sharing of knowledge, and self-directed
learning that will guide a lifetime of increasing knowledge and skills.
Intellectual freedom
The University vigorously supports the freedom to access, explore and
express ideas relevant to the institution’s mission without restriction, and
seeks to provide a neutral setting that balances respect, integrity,
curiosity, and accountability.
Service
The University accepts and respects its responsibility to serve its
constituents, including clinic patients and clients, students, alumni, the
health professions, and the community.
Collaboration
Partnerships and collaborations with other institutions, professionals, and
the community are vital to the growth and significance of the University.
We also seek to promote collaborative efforts within the University between
faculty, staff and students.
Conservative and integrated health care
Inherent in the University’s health care philosophy is an emphasis placed
upon conservative care that minimizes risk and cost and that encourages
interaction between various health care providers and disciplines to provide
the most appropriate care. The University believes that the health care
consumer is best served through the practitioner’s integration of evidence
and reason-based knowledge, clinical expertise and judgment, logical
thinking, and attention to patient-specific factors and variants.
Tradition
The University cherishes its long and respected history of educating
chiropractic physicians. As new programs are added to the University’s
academic portfolio, we will not neglect our heritage, nor will we allow our
traditions to lessen the value and importance of new ideas and programs.
Integrity and Ethics
UWS strives to be an exemplar of professionalism, honesty, integrity and
ethical conduct. It believes these traits should characterize and permeate
the institution, its employees and its students. The University also values
sincere and frank introspection and reflection, and incorporates these
values into its accreditation and assessment practices.
Stewardship
As a steward of human, physical, fiscal and environmental resources, the
University shall sustain and enhance these resources, and ensure their
availability to future generations, through a commitment to trust, ethics,
social and fiscal responsibility, and sound financial judgment.
Scholarship
The University values the development and sharing of knowledge, and supports
the implementation of scholarship in teaching, research and clinical
practice by its faculty, staff and students. It is a core responsibility of
UWS to contribute to the expansion of understanding of the art, practice and
sciences related to healthcare and education.
Leadership
UWS has a tradition of promoting and providing leadership and seeks to
continue to develop, nurture, and attract leaders in its students and
employees. To this end, the University encourages its students, faculty,
staff and graduates to commit to caring, meaningful communication, prudent
exercise of authority, acceptance of responsibility, and motivate and
provide direction to others.