More Information About Medical School Integration

July 10, 2023

Dear Colleagues,

We hope this message finds you well. We wanted to take a moment to share some exciting news regarding the future of medical education at Rutgers University. As you may already be aware, President Holloway and Chancellor Strom have announced that the Rutgers University Board of Governors has voted to pursue a single medical school accreditation between Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and New Jersey Medical School. This decision will lead to the creation of co-equal bodies under a single entity known as Rutgers School of Medicine.

We want to assure you that this decision was not taken lightly. It involved a thorough evaluation process, thoughtful consideration, and extensive discussions with our internal and external communities. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of you—faculty, staff, students, trainees, and community members—for your invaluable contributions to this evaluation process. Your commitment to excellence in medical education at Rutgers and your dedicated efforts in sharing your insights through committee participation, surveys, town halls, meetings, and feedback submissions have been truly remarkable.

The primary objective behind pursuing a single medical school accreditation is to create a stronger, more innovative institution that offers enhanced educational opportunities, expanded research endeavors, and improved patient care. Additionally, this endeavor will elevate the reputation of our school. Although we will maintain our individual identities and operate separately as two equal campuses, each with its own co-dean and separate financial and administrative structures, the integration presents numerous opportunities for growth, efficiency, and improved collaboration. Most importantly, it will significantly enhance medical education for our students and improve and expand clinical care for our communities. Our commitment to University Hospital in Newark and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick remains strong, and our relationship with these institutions will remain unchanged.

We understand that this news may evoke mixed emotions for some of you. We want to assure you that we acknowledge and respect these feelings. In an effort to address any concerns you may have, we have provided the information and background above. We look forward to sharing with you over the coming weeks the next steps in the accreditation process.

Moving forward, we are committed to maintaining a transparent and collaborative approach. We will actively seek your feedback as we begin to plan the integrated medical education program, which is estimated to be under a single accreditation for the entering class of the academic year 2028. We firmly believe that your valuable insights will be instrumental in guiding us through this transformative journey.

We will keep you updated on the latest developments and provide opportunities for you to contribute your thoughts and ideas. We believe that your collective expertise and passion will be the driving force behind the success of this integration. We look forward to embarking on this journey together and creating a brighter future for medical education at Rutgers.

Thank you for your continued support.

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

Amy Murtha, MD
Dean, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School