CAAHP Purpose and Mission
The Central Association of Advisors for the Health Professions serves as the voice of health professions advisors in our region. CAAHP is an organization committed to the professional development of advisors for the health professions. We provide opportunities to share information and experiences, debate issues, and establish professional relationships for the benefit of the students we serve.
CAAHP is composed of professionals from colleges and universities. We are faculty, staff, and administrators; we are full-time and part-time advisors; we advise for one profession or for the entire spectrum of health professions. Yet, we share a common bond through our roles as advisors for the health professions in the twelve-state region. This region includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. CAAHP is one of four regional associations that comprise the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP).
Vision
- CAAHP strives to build a community of culturally competent advisors committed to the holistic development of students.
- We promote equity and access in the education and development of each student’s unique path towards becoming a healthcare professional.
- We introduce students to the breadth of health professions and interprofessionalism.
- We hold ourselves and our students to a high standard of ethical behavior.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
As an organization, CAAHP recognizes the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging as vital components in every workplace, educational setting, and healthcare setting. Thus, we are committed to embracing its role in fostering understanding, inclusion, open-mindedness, growth, and compassion to benefit all our members.
For membership, at all levels, CAAHP seeks to promote a culture of belonging through the creation and support of internal initiatives that eliminate discrimination in all forms. Our organizational bylaws, communications, and goals will weave these core values into the fabric of its daily operations. Also, CAAHP provides opportunities for its members to develop and expand their understanding of the many aspects that make our colleagues and students unique, the challenges they face, and how to assist in alleviating barriers. Further, CAAHP supports leadership and actions in college institutions and healthcare professional programs that are informed by and promote these core values. In addition, for the students our CAAHP members advise and instruct, we recognize the necessity for equitable opportunities and informed practices in advising.
The above encourages a non-discriminatory environment within CAAHP and will carry forward into the workplace and educational settings of our members. Building a culture that fosters genuine feelings of belonging for all is a critical factor in workplace satisfaction, performance, and engagement, which benefits all our members and ultimately, their institutions/organizations and their students.
CAAHP Statement of Ethical Principles for Advisors
CAAHP Strategic Goals:
- Increasing CAAHPacity of our Membership by reaching out to advisors from community colleges and underrepresented states.
- CAAHPitalizing on Our Internal Expertise by having more engagement from all CAAHP membership beyond conferences.
- CAAHPturing data: increasing evidence based advising through research practices.
- Maintaining CAAHPtivating Communication Channels: Improving communication to and amongst advisors (e.g. website, social media, newsletter).