Charter Purpose

The purpose of this council is to provide guidance and recommendations to academic departments at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix:  

  1. in community health-related matters
  2. to advocate for the health needs of the community
  3. to provide a forum for community engagement and feedback.  

The purpose of this council is to advise the academic departments of the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix on community health initiatives, advocate for the health priorities of our diverse communities, and serve as a forum for meaningful community engagement and feedback.

Why (Rationale)

To ensure that academic medicine at College of Medicine – Phoenix meaningfully improves community health by aligning institutional priorities with the needs, values, and lived experiences of the communities it serves.

Obstacles the Council Helps Address

  • Disconnect between academic planning and community priorities
  • Underrepresentation of community voice in decision making
  • Fragmented community engagement efforts
  • Limited feedback loops from community to leadership
  • Structural health inequities and workforce shortages

What We Aim to Accomplish

  • Elevate and prioritize community identified health needs
  • Strengthen trust and bidirectional engagement
  • Improve relevance and impact of education, research, and clinical programs
  • Inform policy, investment, and strategic planning at the department and College levels