Alumni reconnect, reflect—and leave inspired—at Reunion 2026
Pioneering oncology researcher Mary-Ellen Taplin, MD’86, receives Alumni Distinguished Service Award
Date Posted: Friday, June 05, 2026
Alumni Distinguished Service Award recipient Mary-Ellen Taplin, MD'86, center, celebrates with Dean Flotte and Alumni Association President Meg Brackley, MD’00.
Exploring a transformed campus, recognizing institutional excellence, and engaging directly with students preparing to lead the future of medicine left alumni energized and inspired at UMass Chan Medical School’s Reunion 2026.
More than 200 alumni and friends gathered on May 2 to reconnect and celebrate with milestone classes from the T.H. Chan School of Medicine, including 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021.
Throughout the day, alumni reflected on their own student experiences, while illuminating the Medical School’s critical role in shaping the next generation of physicians and biomedical leaders.
“Reunion brought back many memories and gave me hope for the future of medicine and the world,” said Kathy Opal Goff, MD'96.
Current medical students led campus tours throughout the day. Alumni marveled over the profound transformation of the Medical School campus and main quad, which now boasts a trio of premier research and educational buildings alongside the original, main Medical School building and adjacent clinical facilities.
A panel discussion featuring students at the T.H. Chan School of Medicine highlighted today’s medical school experience, including four-year longitudinal projects designed to foster innovation and critical thinking, the integration of artificial intelligence in learning and training, and a strong emphasis on community engagement and interprofessional education.
Current medical students offer valuable insights during a panel discussion.
As a participant in the U.S. Army Health Professions Scholarship Program, Daniel Heron, Class of 2028, sought out the LEAD@Lahey track at the UMass Chan-Lahey regional campus in Burlington, believing the “focus on leadership, advocacy and empowerment” would help him prepare for his future role as an officer.
“I feel it has absolutely done that and I'm really happy with the results so far,” said Daniel.
Students shined a light on UMass Chan’s holistic approach through firsthand examples. Amanda Mangano, Class of 2029, was inspired by a lecture that featured a stroke patient, their partner and the interdisciplinary clinical team who provided care.
“I think those types of experiences, which are scattered throughout our curriculum, are really important, because you get to see the same case from each perspective,” said Amanda.
Terence R. Flotte, MD, the Elisabeth Chair for the Dean of Medicine, executive deputy chancellor, provost and dean of the T.H. Chan School of Medicine, offered an institutional update, highlighting continued momentum, including a highly competitive admissions process and faculty achievements such as Nobel-prize winning research.
Outgoing Alumni Association President Meg Brackley, MD’00, presented the 2026 Alumni Distinguished Service Award to Mary-Ellen Taplin, MD'86, a pioneering oncology researcher and executive leader at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Her work in prostate cancer research helped pave the way for therapies targeting the androgen receptor pathway, dramatically extending survival and delaying the need for chemotherapy. She is currently the principal investigator of multiple studies, including a Phase III trial (PROTEUS) evaluating intensity of androgen deprivation therapy in localized high-risk prostate cancer.
In the words of classmate Mary McGowan, MD'86: “What shines through most about Mary-Ellen is not just her brilliance as a researcher or her leadership at one of the world’s premier cancer centers, but her extraordinary capacity for empathy. Whether she is mentoring a young physician, designing a clinical trial, or sitting beside a patient facing the end of life, she brings the same quiet strength, grace and compassion.”
In 2025, Dr. Taplin generously established a scholarship at UMass Chan in memory of her husband and classmate, Ross Carol, MD'86, who passed away in 2005.
“I was honored and humbled to receive the 2026 Alumni Distinguished Service Award,” said Dr. Taplin. “Being back on campus was a true pleasure—touring new facilities, meeting current students and being inspired by Dean Flotte. UMass Chan provides excellent basic and clinical education, and it has been my pleasure to support the mission through a scholarship for medical students.”
The celebration continued into the evening with a cocktail reception and class dinners.
“Reconnecting with my classmates at our 10-year reunion was a blast,” said Jaclyn Davis, MD'16. “It was incredible to see how much the school has changed, but even more meaningful to reminisce with friends in familiar spaces at the heart of student life that hold so many shared memories.”
At their milestone 50th Reunion, the Class of 1976 reaffirmed bonds that have held the class together “like a family” over decades.
“Reunion was a very meaningful, positive celebration filled with love, smiles and stories,” said Wilfrid Pitts, MD'76, a member of the Reunion 2026 committee.
In keeping with Reunion tradition, alumni supported scholarships and key programs with gifts to UMass Chan. As of May 2, celebrating classes had collectively raised more than $1.4 million through donations and commitments.