Planning for a medical education program leading to a School of Medicine at the University of California, Merced is continuing. Most recently, our distinguished consultants with the Washington Advisory Group completed a report that enhances our planning process. The report identifies a series of steps that will be considered with other strategies designed to propel UC Merced and the San Joaquin Valley toward the goal of an independently-accredited medical school.

UC President Mark Yudof agrees with UC Merced in the value of the report and the merit of the recommended options. President Yudof told the Regents today he is authorizing development of an undergraduate program at UC Merced to attract exceptional students to study the health sciences and he is approving our campus to plan for medical education and research programs in conjunction with an existing UC medical school.

We are pleased that Frederick J. Meyers, MD, a highly regarded UC Davis physician, medical educator and researcher has taken the lead at UC Merced in this next phase of planning. Meyers was identified by Maria Pallavicini as she transitioned back to her full-time role as dean of the School of Natural Sciences. UC Merced will continue to work in concert with our faculty, academic partners at sister UC campuses and potential clinical partners. Dr. Meyers will also work closely with Senior Vice President John Stobo and his staff in the Office of the President to develop a plan that will be a positive step toward the establishment of a UC-quality medical school.

While the timetable for a fully accredited, completely independent medical school is difficult to predict at this time due to the state of California’s dire financial situation, the UC Merced School of Medicine will come to fruition. The opening of the medical school will be linked to the availability of resources, the further development of core academic programs and the enhancement of health sciences research and education on campus.

A refined timetable will emerge as our planning proceeds and options are evaluated along with the availability of resources.

We are appreciative of the strong community support for the proposed medical school, the leadership of President Yudof and Senior Vice President Stobo, and for the engagement of the Valley Coalition and our elected officials. This continued support will be essential to our progress and to fulfilling the shared goal of improved health for residents in the Valley and state.

Executive Summary of the Washington Advisory Group Final Report: Planning for a 21st Century Medical School at UC Merced

Washington Advisory Group Final Report: Planning for a 21st Century Medical School at UC Merced