UMass Chan Medical School is Massachusetts' first and only public academic health sciences center, founded in 1962 with a mission to advance health and wellness through education, research, healthcare delivery, and public service. Based in Worcester, the institution comprises three graduate schools: T.H. Chan School of Medicine, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing.
The medical school consistently ranks among the nation's top institutions for primary care education, reflecting its founding commitment to training physicians for underserved areas. Research strengths span gene therapy, RNA therapeutics, and RNA interference, areas where the institution has made significant contributions - two affiliated Nobel Prize winners include Craig C. Mello (2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for RNA interference discoveries) and Victor Ambros (2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for microRNA discovery). In fiscal year 2024, the institution secured approximately $302 million in federal and private research grants.
Current priorities include expanding work in gene therapy and health equity initiatives whilst maintaining focus on biomedical sciences and nursing education. The institution operates as a collaborative environment committed to advancing the health of diverse communities.
