University of Connecticut School of Medicine

Welcome
During a time of rapid change in the practice of medicine, it is important to remain flexible and to continuously improve our ideas about teaching. Through constant evaluation, we ensure that our curriculum embraces contemporary philosophies and remains at the forefront of academic innovation.

About Us
The University of Connecticut School of Medicine was established in 1961 and is part of the University of Connecticut system of higher learning. Situated in suburban Farmington on the160 acre campus of the University of Connecticut Health Center, the School of Medicine, the School of Dental Medicine, and the Graduate School in the Biomedical Sciences, represent the scholastic side of the academic medical center that includes, the John Dempsey Hospital, UConn Medical Group, UConn Health Partners and University Dentists.

Medical students play a role in patients' health from the very start. In their first week of medical school, students are assigned to a community physician and begin their clinical education. The curriculum complements the practical experience, and classroom and small group instruction and discussion, shaping and refining students problem-solving, diagnostic, and treatment skills.

Remarkable Care Through Research and Education is a statement of our highest priorities. Research the discovery of new knowledge is what the scientist does. Education of physicians is our reason for being. Scientifically adept physicians provide the best care remarkable care because of their skills and the best-practices management they provide.

An equally important principle is that physicians should be humanists. Students are admitted not just on their academic standing, but on their extracurricular activities and achievements. The practice of medicine needs skilled, well-rounded physicians who can relate to their patients, not just as practitioners and care-givers, but also as people.

The school's classes consist of no more than 80 students per year. It is intentionally so. The moderate size is considered optimum to respond to the state's educational needs, and allows a highly desirable student-to-faculty ratio that promotes an educational environment based on personal interactions.

Educational Philosophy
The educational experience in the School of Medicine is student-centered. It is designed to produce physicians dedicated to superior patient care, service to community and scientific inquiry.

The School of Medicine is devoted to nurturing students. The careful cultivation begins with admission and continues through the fourth year. Faculty plays a vital role as teachers and mentors, guides, advisors, counselors and friends.

The first two years of medical school have been pass/fail since its inception. The lack of class rank or GPA promotes better peer and small group learning. The passing standard is high and students set their personal challenge to excel.

Nearly 100 percent of physicians become clinicians who provide patient care one-on-one. The UConn School of Medicine provides students with the knowledge skills and attitudes that will allow them to succeed in any chosen specialty field. The school especially prides itself on providing exceptional training for the practice of high quality patient-centered clinical medicine

History
Photo of students walking to classThe Connecticut General Assembly in 1961 approved legislation authorizing $2 million to plan and develop a medical-dental school in Hartford County. A year later, a selection committee, after examining 40 different sites, settled on 106 acres of orchard and farmland in Farmington, seven miles west of Hartford.

In 1963, the first deans were appointed: Dr. Lyman Maynard Stowe was named medical dean; Dr. Lewis Fox, dental dean. Dr. Stowe died unexpectedly in 1965 and Dr. John Patterson was named medical dean and executive director of the Health Center. Ground was broken the following year.

In 1968, the first students began classes in temporary buildings on campus. Construction continued through 1972 on what was at the time one of Connecticut's largest buildings at more than 1.2 million square feet.

Phased occupancy began in 1972, the year the first class of 29 physicians and 12 dentists graduated.

In 1975, the John Dempsey Hospital, the Health Center's hospital named after the governor who signed the initial legislation, admitted its first patient. In 1978, the Health Center was officially dedicated by the late Governor Ella Grasso. The dedication marked the end of the birthing phase of the institution and the start of its continued growth.

Connecticut Children's Medical Center
Opened in 1996, CCMC is the region's only full-service hospital devoted exclusively to the care of children. Located on the extensive medical campus shared by Hartford Hospital and the Institute of Living, CCMC is a 100-bed facility that serves northern Connecticut and receives pediatric referrals from throughout the Northeast. All inpatient pediatric rotations are at CCMC. This state-of-the-art facility is supplemented by neonatal intensive care beds at John Dempsey Hospital and Hartford Hospital, and by child psychiatry beds at the Institute of Living.

University of Connecticut School of Medicine Degree Programs :

Medicine

Dentistry

Nursing

Pharmacy

Video Presentation

UConn School of Medicine Match Day 2012

Fourth-year students at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine celebrated a successful Match Day on March 16, 2012. Dr. David Henderson, associate dean of medical student affairs, said 98.8 percent of them secured residencies through the National Residency Match Program. The national average was 95.1 percent this year.