Generalist Physician Initiative
In keeping with its founding mission to train primary care providers to serve the commonwealth, UMMS and its network of affiliated institutions have developed long-standing and respected primary care educational programs. These programs provide students with opportunities to experience generalist practice in a full spectrum of settings, including large group practices, community health centers and private practices - each with a significant managed care component. Programs sponsored by UMMS and its partners have also demonstrated a strong commitment to the underserved in both urban and rural sectors of the state.
These efforts have placed UMMS in a national leadership position for its contribution to preparing the nation’s future generalist physicians to serve as primary care providers, educators and researchers. According to the most recent data available from the Association of American Medical Colleges, UMMS ranks eighth in the nation in the percentage of graduates currently in primary care practice.
Nicolette Fontaine, ’98
Chelsea, MA
BA, Boston University, 1993 |
" I was accepted at three medical schools, but after visiting UMass Worcester, the choice was easy. I've found the staff to be supportive and the students friendly. And the cost of a medical education at UMass is very affordable compared to schools in Boston. I'm very happy with the choice I made." |
In recognition of this strong commitment to primary care, UMMS was chosen by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as one of 14 medical schools across the nation to participate in the Generalist Physician Initiative, a six-year project (1994-2000) to increase the number of primary care physicians in practice. A collaborative project built upon its long-standing partnerships with community-based affiliates, the UMMS GPI will expand student experience with generalist faculty in all aspects of the curriculum and promote changes in admissions, graduate medical education and the practice environment for primary care.