A Letter from the Dean

I'm happy to report that our biomedical research enterprise continues to thrive. Just a few days ago, the National Institutes of Health announced that Dartmouth will receive an $18-million Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA). This news comes on the heels of Geisel's best ever year for research funding. While many medical schools are experiencing cuts in funding due to the federal sequester, total grant revenue for the Medical School in fiscal year 2013 rose to just over $140 million, which represents 75 percent of Dartmouth College's total research funding activity.

The new grant will add to the benefits that will be seen with the opening of the Williamson Translational Research Building (WTRB) in 2015. Progress on the WTRB continues, both in terms of construction and fundraising. With the arrival of the structural steel, the building's frame is now taking shape. We are still actively engaged in our fundraising efforts in support of this important project, which is central to our 2020 Plan and mission.

On the medical education front, in August, we welcomed 85 new MD students as part of our 2013 incoming class. It's an academically superb class that brings with it a diversity of experiences and perspectives from around the world. I'm particularly impressed with how much they have achieved, particularly in working to improve lives. In many ways, they are already stepping up to be the creative leaders for change we need to improve our health-care delivery system.

This new class comes well prepared for the academic rigors and challenges of medical school. Many already have graduate degrees in fields such as biochemistry, health policy and clinical practice, law and diplomacy, and education. Many have also published research in journals such as Annals of Surgical Oncology, Science, and Nature. Also, almost half of the class has participated in health-care or biomedical research experiences outside the U.S. or Canada.

Our medical and graduate students report that they select Geisel over other top-ranked schools because of our smaller class size, diverse research and global health opportunities, and the direct access to faculty members who are leaders in their fields.

Finally, our Medical Education Committee unanimously approved the redesigned curriculum framework, a testament to the outstanding work of the redesign team, led by Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education Rich Simons and Associate Professor of Medicine Tim Lahey. A faculty vote will next be taking place, paving the way for implementation in 2015 of this curriculum, which will shape the future of medical education and better prepare our students to tackle health care's toughest problems.

Thank you for being an important part of the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. Please stay connected.

Chip Souba, MD, ScD, MBA
Dean, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Vice-President for Health Affairs, Dartmouth College