South Middlesex Times

Leaders at the new Rutgers School of Medicine have unveiled a mission, vision, and values statement that highlights their focus on advancing health equity. The initiative aims to establish the school as a national model for collaboration with community partners to address health equity challenges.

Amy P. Murtha, dean of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and founding dean of the new institution, emphasized the opportunity to create a medical school from scratch with health equity as its core principle. "Our mission, vision and values statement solidify our commitment to health equity as a guiding principle for the new Rutgers School of Medicine," she stated. Murtha also expressed eagerness to work with partners in developing strategies to advance this cause.

The statement was crafted in consultation with faculty, staff, students, and leadership from both schools involved. It outlines their mission to develop physicians and scientists dedicated to compassionate care, innovative research, and transformative education while promoting health equity across diverse communities. Their vision is to become a leader in academic medicine by reimagining medical education and community service for improved outcomes. The values highlighted include excellence, integrity, dignity, kindness, collaboration, equity, diversity, and belonging.

Robert L. Johnson, dean of New Jersey Medical School (NJMS), reiterated the importance of medical education in addressing healthcare disparities. "By centering health equity in every aspect of the new Rutgers School of Medicine," he said, "we will produce the next generation of doctors who will be a part of advancing health equity in the communities we serve."

Murtha and Johnson will continue their joint efforts across both Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and NJMS until accreditation is approved by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. Following this approval, Rutgers Health plans to conduct a national search for a dean for the fully accredited Rutgers School of Medicine.

For more information about the new Rutgers School of Medicine visit: https://rutgershealth.org/future-school-of-medicine.