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Annual Report 2024
Published Sept. 1, 2024
Jump to topic: Student Spotlight | Community Impact | Research and Innovation | Education
A message from the Dean
Dear College of Medicine community,
This inaugural 2023-2024 Annual Report exemplifies Penn State College of Medicine’s dedication to our core missions of cutting-edge research, field-defining patient care, innovative education and impactful community service. Throughout my first year as dean, I have witnessed the drive, determination, creativity and pursuit of excellence that define our students, faculty and staff which are highlighted within this report. And I have been inspired by the generosity of the many thousands of alumni, faculty, staff and friends who have supported these accomplishments and so much more.
We are proud to celebrate the contributions of our academic health system to Penn State University’s research portfolio with over $160 million in total awards ranking highest among any college at the University. The diversity of our research and scholarship is tremendous – from foundational discoveries and novel therapeutics to developing interventions to improve rural community health.
The quality of our education continues to be a point of pride, deeply rooted in the humanities, health systems science, global and rural health and integrated research. Our approach to training the next generation of scholars addresses real-world challenges through hands-on learning in partnership with our health system and exceptional faculty. The 2024 MD Class had a 100% match rate with 41% staying in Pennsylvania and 25% entering primary care. This match success supports our dedication to serving the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by training providers equipped to serve underserved and rural populations through the growth of the primary care workforce.
This academic year highlights the success of the College of Medicine’s vision as an academic health system of lasting eminence. It has been an honor to lead this College as we transform to be a leading academic health system dedicated to improving the health of our communities through research, education and clinical innovation. I look forward to continuing to grow, learn and impact our communities together.
Sincerely,
Karen E. Kim, MD, MS
Dean
Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Chair in Rural Health Research
Penn State College of Medicine
Read more about Dr. Kim
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By the Numbers
100%
Top 10%
1.6%
#1
Student Spotlights: Why Choose Penn State College of Medicine?
Amber Carr, MD Class of 2027
Recipient of the Dean's University Scholarship
What drew you to Penn State College of Medicine? Why did you choose to study or work here?
"As a nontraditional student, I wanted to attend a school that values my past experiences and unique path to medicine. In all my interactions with Penn State faculty, staff and students during the admissions process, I have felt that my background is not only valued, but sought after.
I also wanted a school that would support my research interests in the humanities, and Penn State College of Medicine has the oldest in-house humanities department in the country. I could not have asked for a better fit for my medical education than Penn State."
Dillon Duttera, Physician Assistant Class of 2025
Recipient of the Jeffries Scholarship for Physician Assistant Students
What drew you to Penn State College of Medicine? Why did you choose to study here?
"I chose to attend Penn State's PA Program for many reasons, but to me what stands out most about Penn State is their commitment to giving back to the community. Growing up in Pennsylvania, THON and Mini-THON fundraisers were always a huge event in my hometown, a rare event that brought together people of all walks of life to contribute to a singular cause. A few families in my town were Four Diamonds families, and hearing firsthand about how Penn State helped these families to navigate through the most difficult time in their lives always resonated with me. I’ll never forget the mom of the boy with leukemia who lived down the street from me coming to speak at Mini-THON about how she didn’t ever have to worry about the burdensome cost of her son’s treatment, and the generosity that Penn State demonstrates year after year is exactly what I sought out in a PA Program. No other school I considered has such a proven track record of generosity, kindness, and tenacity, and those values are inseparable from the medical education we are receiving right now."
Brianna Evans, MD/PhD student
Recipient of the College of Medicine, MD, PhD Program Endowment
What drew you to Penn State College of Medicine? Why did you choose to study here?
While interviewing at various MD/PhD programs, my interview and experience at Penn State College of Medicine was the most inviting of all the places I interviewed and visited. My time in the medical program has fostered a supportive and collaborative environment, which I have found immensely beneficial. I was also drawn to the integration of humanities into the curriculum. For my graduate studies, the strong emphasis on research collaboration and the specialized focus of the Addiction Center for Translation at Penn State College of Medicine aligned well with my interests in addiction research. Here, I have found a program where both my educational and research interests can thrive.
Christopher Tseng, MD, otolaryngology resident
Recipient of support from the Kia Kermani Foundation Research Fund for Personalized Medicine
What drew you to Penn State College of Medicine? Why did you choose to study or work here?
"I was drawn most to Penn State's strong support and funding for research, collaborative environment and diverse clinical experiences for residents. As someone interested in exploring technology in medicine, the College of Medicine's commitment to advancing artificial intelligence in clinical applications has been especially encouraging."
Marina Chulkina, postdoctoral scholar
What do you love most about your work at the College of Medicine?
“The College of Medicine is deeply committed to the training and success of early career-stage investigators, with numerous available resources, seminars and workshops provided by various departments, state-of-the-art core facilities, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and the Office of Research Development."
Community Impact
Like many states across our nation, Pennsylvania is 70 percent rural which requires a collective, multisector approach to improve the health of each of these vulnerable communities. Bolstered by engagement and financial support from community partners, the College of Medicine is carrying out the University’s land-grant mission by training the next generation of health care providers, researchers, public health scientists and community members dedicated to working together to develop an inclusive and innovative approach to combat the rural health disparities in Pennsylvania and beyond.
Research & Innovation
Penn State College of Medicine is a key part of the University's interdisciplinary research. Here, we are receiving funding for new and innovative research projects, bringing new technologies to market and educating the next generation of researchers and scholars. We are driving field defining research, from basic to translational, to improve human health now and for generations to come.
Education
At Penn State College of Medicine, we are committed to enhancing health by preparing the next generation of clinicians, educators and scientists to be the leaders and change agents of 21st-century medicine and research. We meet this goal through our rich humanities-based curriculum, the integration of health systems science and research, collaboration with excellent faculty mentors and the generous financial support of alumni and friends.