Campus Connection

In his first State of the School address on September 25, Dean E. Albert Reece highlighted the accomplishments of the School of Medicine (SOM) and presented his vision for the upcoming years. 

Before a packed audience in the Medical School Teaching Facility (MSTF) Auditorium, he likened the success of the school to that of an eagle—continuing to improve and grow in spite of challenge and adversity.  The theme of his address was “Soaring to Greater Heights, Together.” 

“Just as an eagle flies higher and higher, we want our School of Medicine to rise higher and higher above the current and toward the high top-tier ranking among all medical schools nationwide,” said Dr. Reece.  “The School of Medicine leaders will use challenges to elevate the school to greater prominence.”

Many of the accomplishments he cited were financial.  He noted an increase of more than $3 million in private gifts to the SOM, the creation of five professorships through a $33 million increase in the school’s endowment, and an increase in clinical revenue of nearly seven percent to an annual total of $176 million.  The school’s total revenue for the prior year was over $676 million, and it ranks nineteenth in the country in the amount of contract expenditures and direct grants.  

He pointed out that the increase in medical school applicants is reflective of the school’s growing attractiveness to students and researchers.  Over 4500 applications were submitted last year for 160 open positions—an increase of nearly eight percent from the prior year.  The Graduate Program in Life Sciences (GPILS) saw an 85 percent increase in applicants this year. 

“Together we will use our past to create a School of Medicine that is ready for the future,” said Dr. Reece.  “But most importantly…we will fly like an eagle towards greater and greater success.”

Editor’s Note:  Dr. Reece’s full presentation including audio is available from the School of Medicine here:  http://medschool.umaryland.edu/video/sos2007.avi.

Article Tools