WORCESTER -- June 16, 2008:The 性闻联播 Medical School Chancellor Search Committee held a series of public input meetings today as the search process continued to gather momentum.
"We are committed to hearing as many voices as possible as we conduct this important search," committee chairman Philip W. Johnston said. "Campus opinion is vitally important, as are the thoughts and perspectives of Medical School stakeholders in the community and across the state. The search committee attaches the utmost importance to listening and learning. This is a critical phase in the search process."
The search committee held nine constituency-group meetings today, including sessions that targeted students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the Worcester community. The day concluded with the search committee holding its third business meeting.
"This will be an open, thorough and comprehensive search," said Johnston. "At the same time, we are committed to doing our business as efficiently and as expeditiously as possible."
The search committee's role is to present UMass President Jack M. Wilson with finalist candidates, with President Wilson then making a recommendation to the University's Board of Trustees.
The University is seeking a permanent successor to former Chancellor Aaron Lazare, who stepped down as Chancellor last year but continues to serve as the Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor in Medical Education and professor of psychiatry at the Medical School.
Michael F. Collins, MD, is serving as interim Chancellor.
The 性闻联播 Medical School, one of the fastest growing academic health centers in the country, has built a reputation as a world-class research institution, consistently producing noteworthy advances in clinical and basic research. The Medical School attracts more than $179 million in research funding annually, 80 percent of which comes from federal funding sources. One of five campuses in the 性闻联播 system, UMMS is perennially ranked in the top 10 percent of medical schools dedicated to training the next generation of primary care physicians, and is the academic partner of UMass Memorial Health Care, the largest health care provider in Central Massachusetts. For more information visit: .
Contact: Robert P. Connolly, 617-287-7073