A Message from the Deans Regarding the Medical School Integration: FAQs

September 5, 2023

Dear Colleagues:

On Tuesday, August 29, 2023, we co-hosted the first of what we plan will be numerous webinars, meetings, and other opportunities for discussion over the next few years, as New Jersey Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School journey toward a single accreditation as Rutgers School of Medicine.

More than 200 people attended last week's webinar, during which we answered some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the integration, including a series of questions submitted by attendees prior to the event.

If you did not have the opportunity to participate, or you would like to view it again, you can access a recording of the event. We have also shared responses to the Q&A session.

Medical School Integration Q & A

Is the merger a "done deal," and what is the timeline?

The decision to integrate the two medical schools is complete. We are now in the next phase of the process, which is to seek combined accreditation. It is anticipated that the first class of the new "Rutgers School of Medicine" will be enrolled in the 2028 academic year. Over the next five years, we will be aligning our work to achieve accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). Our work will be conducted in a way that promotes equitable representation and allows opportunities for all medical school community members to contribute to the vision.

Why is medical school integration being pursued?

First, a single medical school accreditation within Rutgers will create a stronger, more innovative institution that offers enhanced educational and research opportunities. By aligning and not competing, we create a hub of biomedical and health sciences education, research, and clinical care that will allow us to better serve our communities. With one Rutgers School of Medicine, we can expand academic programs, improve infrastructure, and enrich learning environments.

In the past, the two medical schools have been competitors for talent and resources. Now, we can be allies in attracting students, grants, and faculty who are pioneers in their fields. We are already leveraging opportunities for philanthropic support of our vision.

Next, as the state university, Rutgers and now Rutgers School of Medicine, we have an obligation to the residents of New Jersey to lead in transformative healthcare delivery. Through the creation of Rutgers School of Medicine, with campuses in Newark and New Brunswick, we will have an academic healthcare delivery enterprise that will better serve all New Jersey communities. Our residents must receive the highest quality of healthcare.

What are the benefits to integration?

We must be together, and aligned, to accomplish this mission. Together, we are greater than the sum of our parts. Together we can have even greater influence over the provision of health education in our state. An integrated model of medical education will position Rutgers School of Medicine as a leading public medical school nationally.

• First, it will enhance our ability to attract top talent with an enhanced national reputation and elevated ranking.
• Second, by leveraging research opportunities, the Rutgers School of Medicine will become a leader in innovation and attract more federal and industry funding for competitive clinical trials.
• Third, it will allow Rutgers to expand specialty hospital care and offer more patient services to reduce health care inequities. Aligned medical schools will expand opportunities for students, providing innovative experiences on both campuses.

It also will enhance opportunities for development and fundraising as a single medical school under the Rutgers brand in support of our missions.

Download the Q & A informational flier

In addition to the above questions, attendees offered their input on the language we will be using to describe the new entity -- using our schools' mission, vision and value statements as starting points for the discussion. Slides containing some possible language for consideration were shared, with attendees participating in a poll requesting feedback on the principles that should be considered when crafting unifying language for Rutgers School of Medicine. We will share some of these ideas and recommendations in the coming weeks.

We also encourage you to check Rutgers' Envisioning the Future of Academic Medicine website for information throughout the integration process.

We would again like to thank all of those who took the time to share their feedback and ask questions for this joint event, and we encourage your ongoing involvement and participation in the integration process. Your valued input will be key to our success in advancing the future of medical education.

Sincerely,

Amy P. Murtha, MD, Dean
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Robert L. Johnson, MD, FAAP, Dean
New Jersey Medical School