Celebrating 50 Years of Impact: How Family Medicine & Community Health is Transforming Primary Care Education and Community Wellness

UMass Chan Medical School’s Department of Family Medicine & Community Health is celebrating its 50th anniversary. This milestone reflects its important role in training family physicians and improving primary care in Massachusetts and beyond.

“The anniversary event is a chance to honor family medicine’s contributions to health and justice in our community,” said Diane McKee, MD, chair of the department.

This department was the first of its kind in New England, setting a standard for family medicine education. Over the years, it has graduated 632 medical students, accounting for about 13% of all graduates. Remarkably, one in five family physicians in Massachusetts trained at UMass Chan.

Linda Cragin, MS, who teaches in the department, emphasizes the focus on quality care. “We aim to train doctors who will meet the needs of our communities. Our students learn from role models committed to serving underserved populations,” she said.

Dr. Tracy Kedian, MD’96, who completed her residency here, appreciates the institution’s commitment to diversity and community. “The values we teach align closely with family medicine. Students seeking that experience often thrive in this field,” she explained.

Since 2012, 175 UMass Chan graduates have entered family medicine residency programs, with record matches in 2019 and 2024. This March, 15 more students are hoping to join these ranks.

“Choosing family medicine takes courage. You need to be ready for a wide range of learning and to care deeply for all your patients,” noted Patricia Seymour, MD’07. Like her colleagues, she completed her residency at UMass Chan and finds the training invaluable in her practice.

“I’ve experienced this department as a student and in various roles since then. Family medicine allows you to care for everyone, and that broad training prepared me for my career,” Dr. Seymour added.