In Convocation address, Chancellor Collins calls for more support of research funding, honors outstanding faculty

By Ellie Castano
UMass Medical School Communications

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Chancellor Michael F. Collins offered an upbeat message of hope to the UMass Worcester campus in his Convocation address on Thursday, Sept. 15, but also raised a clarion call to the country for more support of biomedical research, which offers hope to millions of people whose lives are touched by illness and disease every year.

“Research means hope,” said Chancellor Collins. “Research can bring change to the human condition. Research can restore human dignity. If in the earlier difficult times faced by our nation, we gave up an important cause, we would not be the great country that we have become. At each and every complex juncture, we have believed in a brighter future and our actions have confirmed our values and resolve.”

Chancellor Collins also announced this year’s recipients of the Chancellor’s Medals for distinguished teaching, research and service and recognized 20 members of the faculty who were promoted to full professor or received tenure during the past academic year.

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William “Jerry” Durbin, MD, professor of pediatrics and medicine, who received the Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Teaching, was recognized by Collins as “a humble, committed and passionate educator who provides inspiration by encouraging students to learn from their best teachers, their patients.”

 

Chancellor Michael F. Collins congratulates William “Jerry” Durbin, MD, for receiving the Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Teaching

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Michael R. Green, MD, PhD, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, the Lambi and Sarah Adams Chair in Genetic Research and professor of molecular medicine and biochemistry & molecular pharmacology, received the Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Research. According to Collins, Dr. Green was honored for his extraordinary contributions to the scientific body of knowledge and the acclaim that such efforts bring to our institution.

 

Michael R. Green, MD, PhD, Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Research

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Marianne E. Felice, MD, chair and professor of pediatrics and obstetrics & gynecology, received the Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Service for her legacy as a devoted clinician for adolescents and younger children, a mentor in high demand and a colleague with limitless energy. Collins noted that Dr. Felice, who recently announced her upcoming retirement as chair of pediatrics, has recruited more than 100 pediatric faculty members and has been the driving force behind numerous public health projects that are bettering the lives of children throughout the commonwealth.

 

Marianne E. Felice, MD, Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Service

In addition to recognizing outstanding faculty, Collins remarked on the outstanding promise of the individuals who comprise the UMass Worcester community—from the students who are preparing to become tomorrow’s health care leaders to the physicians, scientists and nurses who are compassionately practicing their professions here and now.

In the midst of hope made possible by the promise of discovery, Collins called for an increase in support for research on a national level, saying, “As I look beyond this campus green, I hope that our nation will find the resolve and the determination to continue its investment in medical research and not destroy the treasure that is our nation’s biomedical research enterprise. On behalf of our patients, each of us must raise our voices and increase our resolve to assure that American values prevail, so that America values the promise of medical research. To one who is sick and enters our midst, nothing matters more!”

Read the full transcript of the speech
Watch video of the speech
Read about all the Convocation events
Convocation slideshow