Guiding Principles A framework to shape how we work and lead decision-making for members of the Department of Pediatrics
Engagement in the Department’s Mission, Vision, and Values Social Impact and Belonging
Self-direction, Reliability, and Efficiency
Collaboration Mentorship and Leadership
Well-being
Our Mission The University of Wisconsin Department of Pediatrics promotes and enhances the health of children through outstanding clinical care, exemplary education of pediatric trainees, performance of cutting-edge research, and vigorous advocacy.
Our Vision Provision of the safest and highest quality, innovative, and coordinated care in an environment that supports inquiry and discovery and promotes well-being and professionalism.
Our Core Values Accountability Compassion Diversity Empathy Excellence Innovation Integrity Respect Teamwork
Engagement in the Mission, Vision, and Values of the Department of Pediatrics • Be present. • Know, understand, and embody the department’s core values in all that you do. • Let the department’s mission, vision, and core values guide your decision-making. • Respect your colleagues’ time. Be prepared for individual, team, and department meetings by bringing questions, concerns, and discussion items. • Participate in and encourage others to be involved in departmental committees and initiatives. • Act positively and professionally as a representative of the Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Public Health, UW–Madison, and UW Health Kids.
Self-direction, Reliability, and Efficiency
Collaboration
Mentorship and Leadership
• Foster a sense of belonging in everything you do.
• Maintain regular work hours and use time effectively.
• Commit to and actively engage in teamwork.
• Recognize, support, and value differences in people’s identities, backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and opinions.
• Complete tasks with a high level of accuracy, personal responsibility, and initiative.
• Prioritize your attendance at department, team, and division meetings.
• Be open to receiving and providing constructive feedback in order to support the ultimate success of all involved and impacted.
• Aim to meet project timelines and deadlines. Proactively communicate challenges and develop a plan with colleagues to get back on track or reschedule.
• Regularly and actively participate in discussions with colleagues regarding project developments, challenges, and successes.
Social Impact and Belonging
• Strive to contribute to a workplace and work environment where everyone feels safe, comfortable, and welcomed. • Expect that experiences of others will differ from your own and welcome the opportunity to learn from each other. • Model bringing your authentic self into the workplace and encourage others to do the same. • Strengthen your personal commitment to ongoing learning on topics related to social impact, belonging, and building community. • Embrace and face uncomfortable situations. This can foster remarkable growth and change.
• Use available resources (department and SMPH intranets, UW and UW Health websites, colleagues, etc.) when questions arise or something is unclear. • Use tools and systems to effectively manage to-do lists, monitor priorities, and stay on track to achieve goals. • Explore and share new tools and innovative approaches to working more efficiently.
• Recognize and support individual team members’ strengths to advance and foster engagement in the department’s mission. • Understand and celebrate that each and every employee plays a key role in our success. • Be open to and welcome viewpoints different from your own. • Engage in continuous improvement at all levels: individual, department, institution, and community. • No task is irrelevant, and its successful delivery or completion has a positive impact on the whole.
• Maintain transparency and an open flow of communication by sharing information with all members of the team. • Give credit and recognition to the people around you. Celebrate individual and team successes. • Learn from others at all levels of the organization. • Provide support to those around you. Offer assistance to other members of the team or department in order to contribute to its overall success. • Actively engage in teaching opportunities, sharing your knowledge and experience with others. • Participate in professional development opportunities and encourage others to do so as well. • Understand that we all make mistakes and can use them as an opportunity for learning and growth.
Well-being
• Practice compassion for yourself and your colleagues. • Seek out and use well-being and support resources provided by UW–Madison, UW Health, and other entities, and encourage others to do so as well. • Conduct work during typical business hours, whenever possible, and minimize late night, weekend, and holiday work. • Respect and support colleagues when they are out of office by pausing contact until they return. • Seek opportunities to align your strengths, interests, and departmental needs within your work. • Recognize that flexible work schedules support professional work, interests, and personal commitments. • Extend grace and understanding to everyone around you. Remember that you are not aware of the challenges they may be facing.
January 2026