The Liaison Committee for Medical Education accreditation of UMass Medical School’s medical education program is a cornerstone of the Medical School’s mission and a commitment to its students, alumni, faculty and community, according to Chancellor Michael F. Collins and Dean Terence R. Flotte. While LCME accreditation is voluntary, it is a rigorous, peer-reviewed process of quality assurance that determines whether the medical education program meets established standards and is a benchmark of the school’s capacity to develop and deliver a medical education program of distinction.
In August of last year, three distinguished academic leaders from across the country had a substantive and deeply probing virtual visit to UMMS as part of the LCME accreditation process. Following that visit and the submission of the Medical School’s LCME report, leadership has been awaiting formal notice of the accreditation status.
“At this time, we are pleased to report to you that the LCME has confirmed that our medical education program is in compliance with all standards and we have been granted full accreditation for a period of eight years, through 2028,” Chancellor Collins and Dean Flotte said. “We are extremely gratified by this result. This outcome would not have been possible without your collective efforts and commitment to the spirit of the accreditation process.”
The LCME team has been led by Anne Larkin, MD, associate professor of surgery and vice provost for educational affairs, who has worked with hundreds of faculty, staff, students and community members to evaluate the medical education program, assess educational goals and examine the teaching environment for medical students.
Dr. Larkin’s team included Melissa Fischer, MD, MEd, associate dean for undergraduate medical education; Sonia Chimienti, MD, vice provost for student life and enrollment management; Mariann Manno, MD, associate dean for admissions; Kevin Hinchey, MD, senior associate dean for education, UMMS-Baystate; Mary Zanetti, senior director of institutional research, evaluation and assessment; and task force leaders and members from across the institution, including senior project manager Ashton Gunn, who has led the administration and execution of the accreditation process with exceptional insight and care.
