We are in the midst of strategic planning for the Implementation Science Center. Thank you to those of you who have provided feedback. For me, one of the questions I keep returning to during this process is a more basic question: What is a Center?

For a university center, it is common to be evaluated by how you are moving the core focus of the center forward—primarily scholarly work through publications and grants. However, anyone who has taken an ISC training or sat down and talked with me about the Center knows creating a community of implementation scientists—of like-minded people—is one of the most important goals for me. We do this work to have an impact and to be part of something larger than ourselves, and one of the ways we ensure we feel part of something large is through being part of a community. In my mind, a community has a shared language and way of thinking that supports and challenges you in ways that only serve to sharpen your thinking (and your grants!), and shared purpose.

One of the hardest parts about creating a center for me has been the challenge of creating this community—and it is largely the external forces and incentives that distract us and create demands we cannot ignore if we are going to maintain our jobs and our livelihoods. We need grants to pay our salaries and be promoted. We need to write publications to build our scholarly reputations (and be promoted). And in many ways, I’m okay with this because despite my greatest goal for the Center—my greatest wish for all of you is beautiful success that supports your well-being.

Therefore, we will continue to train people in implementation science, to write grants that move your work into routine practice in health systems and communities, and collaborate with you on publications.

AND there is an electric tea kettle, an assortment of teas, a set of comfy chairs, and a small table in our space to support our community. We also have desk set up with a docking station and two monitors you can reserve if you need some quiet time to concentrate. These are part of the invitation to be part of the community, to be part of something larger. And when you do decide to visit us, bring a friend and colleague. There is plenty of reading material—foundational work in the field.

There is also a book sitting on the coffee table by the comfy chairs called What Do You Do with an Idea? written by Kobi Yamada and illustrated by Mae Benson. The last line of the book is:

“And then, I realized what you do with an idea…you change the world.”

Thank you for being part of this community. I look forward to growing and strengthening it together.