Integration Update: January 2024

January 16, 2024

Dear Colleagues:

It's the start of an exciting new era for medical education at Rutgers. The integration of New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) is under way to create a single entity: Rutgers School of Medicine (RSOM). This integration will require many months of careful planning and collaboration.

Merging the two schools enables us to offer significantly enhanced medical education for our students, improved and expanded clinical care, and increased opportunities for research and collaboration across our community. RSOM will be stronger than the sum of its parts, better able to serve the educational needs of the state, now and for future generations.

This is the first in a series of messages jointly prepared by both schools and designed to inform the NJMS and RWJMS communities about the latest integration news and initiatives. These messages, issued monthly, will be published in the schools’ newsletters. Also watch for news and updates posted on the Rutgers website, and here as well: Framework for Integration: Rutgers School of Medicine Planning Structure.

Integration Executive Committee/ Integration Advisory Committee

Together, medical school leadership has built a framework to guide the integration, forming committees and teams with representation from both schools. An Integration Executive Committee, co-chaired by RWJMS Dean Amy P. Murtha, MD, and NJMS Dean Robert L. Johnson, MD, FAAP, will provide strategic planning and oversight. Members of the Integration Executive Committee are listed in the chart below.

An Integration Advisory Committee has also been created. It is charged with managing the Liaison Committee Medical Education (LCME) accreditation process, as well as other important tasks and responsibilities.

Integration Task Forces

A next big step is forming Integration Task Forces, focused on important issues and mission areas. Composed of faculty, staff, and students, these task forces bring different skill sets and ideas to the table, providing input to the LCME self-study process and helping to facilitate decision-making.

Task forces are organized around the following areas: research, clinical care, community engagement, graduate programs and education, communication and IT, and staff, faculty, and student experience. Also in the works are an Alumni Task Force and a Global Health Task Force. Other task forces will be added as needed.

We actively seek volunteers from the medical school communities to join the Integration Task Forces. Whether you are a student, trainee, faculty or staff member, your skills and experience are needed. We invite you to nominate yourself or a colleague to join a task force. To be considered, please take a few minutes to fill out the application form here. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, Jan. 31. Task force members will be selected by Rutgers leadership, based on applicants’ relevant expertise and interest.

Working Together for Our Future of Medicine

We thank you for sharing your skills and input. Reimagining the training of future physicians at Rutgers will require coordination and collaboration across our medical communities. The participation of NJMS and RWJMS students, faculty, and staff will be key to a smooth transition and a strong RSOM.

Sincerely,

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

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