One of the blessings of academic life is the academic calendar. To every thing there is a season. Whether or not the groundhog sees his shadow, grant cycles cycle, brilliant doctoral candidates defend their theses, and we look forward to a successful Match Day for the senior medical students. If it finally seems wintry outside, inside we have spring spirit.
Daniel V. Schidlow, MD
Although changes in health care are on the horizon, and we don't know how they may affect the delivery of care or clinical training, the essence of medicine and science as it pertains to our mission of research and education remains unchanged.
Another constant is that as a University and a medical school, we remain committed to the promotion and protection of a policy of diversity. Who knows better than a scientist or physician the countless significant contributions to human life and understanding made by people in other countries or by people in the United States who came from around the world? The value of diversity is undeniable. One of the College's guiding principles is acknowledgement that diversity — in faculty, professional staff, students and trainees — enables our mission.
An inclusive, collaborative environment enhances everyone's work. Our basic science departments are flourishing. In addition to interdepartmental and cross-campus collaborations, many researchers are engaged in extramural associations, such as the National Cancer Institute-designated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center Consortium. Several multidisciplinary grants are among the numerous awards we continue to attract from the National Institutes of Health and other sources. There are also increasing collaborations between our basic and clinical scientists in many areas, including, for example, immunology and infectious diseases. The basic science departments and their research are at the foundation of everything we do.
Speaking of foundations, we are nearing the launch of Foundations and Frontiers, the new medical education curriculum, which will be fully implemented for the next entering class. For the Foundations phase, our basic science, clinical and medical education faculty have done a superlative job in teaming up to create courses that integrate multiple disciplines for a more holistic approach. Foundations and Frontiers reshapes and builds upon the best of what we have and adds experiences that will keep our medical students on the leading edge.
No matter the twists and turns in the health care landscape, we will continue to do our part in producing top scientists and physicians to serve our communities and our nation.
Daniel V. Schidlow, MD
Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg Dean
Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs