Convocation highlights UMass Chan’s ambitious future

In his annual Convocation address to the UMass Chan Medical School community in September, Chancellor Michael F. Collins expressed optimism for the Medical School’s ambitious future and touted the enormous momentum moving the school forward. Chancellor Collins highlighted the many milestones marked at UMass Chan in the previous academic year, including the Morningside Foundation’s $175 million transformational gift, the opening of the VA Communitybased Outpatient Clinic and the groundbreaking for the new education and research building.

A highlight of the ceremony was the announcement of the recipients of the 2022 Chancellor’s Medals for excellence in teaching, scholarship, service and clinical excellence.

Melissa Fischer, MD, MEd, professor of medicine and assistant vice provost for interprofessional and instructional innovation, received the Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Teaching. Dr. Fischer was invited to present the 2023 Last Lecture, a celebration of teaching, and received the Manning Prize, a $10,000 prize established by former UMass Board Chair Robert Manning and his wife, Donna Manning, both of whom are UMass alums.

Marian Walhout, PhD, the Maroun Semaan Chair in Biomedical Research and chair and professor of systems biology, was awarded the Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Scholarship.

The Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Clinical Excellence was presented to Ira Ockene, MD, the David J. and Barbara D. Milliken Professor in Preventive Cardiology and professor of medicine. Dr. Ockene has been teaching at UMass Chan since 1975.

The Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Service was awarded to Deborah DeMarco, MD, professor of medicine, senior associate dean for clinical affairs and associate dean for Graduate Medical Education. Dr. DeMarco was invited to carry the Medical School’s ceremonial mace at events throughout the academic year.

Chancellor's Medal recipients Ira Ockene, Marian Walhout, Melissa Fischer and Deborah DeMarco with Chancellor Collins.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT CARLIN

The following faculty members were honored and invested as named professors:

Eric Baehrecke, PhD, professor of molecular, cell & cancer biology, is the inaugural holder of the Our Danny Cancer Fund Chair in Biomedical Research II.

Roberto Caricchio, MD, professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Rheumatology, was named the Myles J. McDonough Chair in Rheumatology.

Michelle A. Kelliher, PhD, interim chair and professor of molecular, cell & cancer biology and co-leader of the Cancer Genetics Program, is the inaugural holder of the Our Danny Cancer Fund Chair in Biomedical Research I.

Jeanne B. Lawrence, PhD, professor of neurology and pediatrics, is the new Leo P. and Theresa M. LaChance Chair in Medical Research.

Alan C. Mullen, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and academic chief of the Division of Gastroenterology, was invested as the Mary C. DeFeudis Chair in Biomedical Research.

Celia A. Schiffer, PhD, chair and professor of biochemistry & molecular biotechnology, is the new holder of the Arthur F. and Helen P. Koskinas Professorship in Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology.