UMass Chan welcomes alumni back to an evolving campus for Reunion 2023

Over 200 alumni of UMass Chan Medical School gathered on May 6 in Worcester to reconnect at Reunion 2023, including members of the T.H. Chan School of Medicine Classes of 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018 and graduates of the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing. Festivities kicked off with an outdoor lunchtime event and tours of the Worcester campus, followed by a cocktail reception, dinner and dancing.

This year’s Alumni Distinguished Service Award, an honor of, by and for T.H. Chan School of Medicine alumni that recognizes a fellow graduate who has made a significant impact in their field, was awarded to Gerry Cox, MD’83, MHA, assistant under secretary for health for quality and patient safety in the Veterans Health Administration. Dr. Cox is respected for his extraordinary contributions to medicine through an uncommon career path. Throughout 40 years of distinguished government and military service, he has had a substantial impact on the health of thousands of service men and women, veterans and their families.

The Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing Alumni Award, which recognizes excellence in education, outstanding service, commitment to school and profession, and leadership in health care advocacy, was presented to Dawn Carpenter DNP’10, ACNP-BC, PMC’03. Carpenter was selected for her accomplishments in both patient care and nursing education. An expert clinician in critical care and dedicated mentor, she has helped shape UMass Chan’s nursing programs, including the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track, which she formerly coordinated.

Reunion also celebrates alumni giving that is critical to the vitality of UMass Chan. Reunion classes and individuals have established more than 65 endowed student scholarships over the past decade, ensuring a legacy of financial support for talented UMass Chan medical students. At the time of publication, this year’s reunion classes had raised more than $500,000 in gifts and pledges. This includes generous matching gifts from alumni attending reunion.

“What a wonderful evening reconnecting with classmates. We had a lovely dinner and great conversations that lasted long into the night,” said Jenny Schwab, MD’98, Class of 1998 reunion committee member.

“It’s extraordinary to see how the Medical School has evolved since I was a student,” said Dr. Cox. “The growth and innovation on campus is palpable. I’m particularly excited about the new VA outpatient clinic, which is critical to improving health care for veterans in the region and beyond.”