It didn’t happen quite on day one. But within months of when OMRF’s founders signed our articles of incorporation, the first publication featuring our mission statement appeared, proclaiming: “That More May Live Longer.”
In the ensuing three-quarters of a century, that mission has remained constant. It’s true that we’ve made a few tweaks to the phrasing; it currently reads, “…so that more may live longer, healthier lives.” Still, when we recently polled employees about whether these eight words encapsulated our collective goal as an organization, we heard a resounding “Yes!” – more than 80% gave it a thumbs-up.
That poll was part of a foundation-wide exercise that took place during the past year. Through a series of targeted discussions, listening sessions and surveys, we wanted to ensure we understood who we are as an institution.
Beyond re-examining our mission, we also wanted to know what core values connected us. We listened to what our employees – all of them – told us, and we ultimately captured those values in seven succinct statements, which we unveiled in the summer.
That process, though, didn’t represent an endpoint. Recognizing what binds us together is vital. Yet if we want those values to permeate everything we do, we need to bring them front and center. We need to celebrate them.
This past fall, we took the next step. We displayed all of the values, represented by colorful puzzle pieces, prominently in our Research Café. We did the same thing in conference rooms spread throughout the foundation.
We opted for puzzle pieces because they don’t stand on their own. They’re part of a larger picture. To complete that larger picture, you need to combine them seamlessly with complementary pieces.
In other words, they’re an apt metaphor for a fully integrated, well-functioning organization.
In October, we hosted a come-and-go breakfast where we gave each OMRFer a mug emblazoned with the value – condensed to a single word – of their choosing. During the event, I and other members of our senior leadership team visited with employees as they had to make choices between, say, “Exceptional” and “Compassionate.” Not surprisingly, quite a few asked if they could have multiple mugs. We got very good at saying “no” nicely.
Moving forward, we’ll do all we can to keep these core values top of mind. As you’ve probably figured out by now, this annual report is a piece (see what I did there?) of that effort.
In these pages, we’ve carefully selected OMRFers to represent our values. We hope their stories make clear the reasons we’ve chosen each of them.
Still, as you read, know that we could have chosen countless others to personify the core traits that make OMRF what it is. Because solving the mysteries of human disease is a challenging puzzle. The answers require many unique pieces, all of them fitting together just so.
Andrew S. Weyrich
President
