temple university school of medicine

Temple University School of Medicine (TUSM), located on the Health Science Campus of Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, is one of 7 schools of medicine in Pennsylvania conferring the doctor of medicine (MD) degree. It also confers the PhD (doctor of philosophy) and MS (masters of science) degrees in biomedical sciences.

Temple University School of Medicine Mission Statement

Temple University School of Medicine (TUSM) has three major interrelated missions:

• To provide excellent learner-centered education to a diverse body of medical and graduate students, instilling in them an ethic of human service and lifelong learning;

• To engage in research that advances medical science and clinical care; and

• To provide state-of-the-art health care.

About Temple University School of Medicine

TUSM takes pride in the excellence of its teaching, service and research programs.  It remains fully accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.  It employs 453 full time faculty, 67 part time faculty, 1,164 volunteer faculty, and 869 staff.   Each year it admits 180 medical students and approximately 24 graduate students.   Reflecting the excellent quality of a Temple medical education, its MD graduates are highly regarded by competitive residency training programs, and have made significant career contributions to both medical practice and medical research.  Many have become department chairpersons, deans and vice presidents of major academic medical centers.

TUSM received 9,886 applications for the Class of 2011, 17.5% more than the previous year. As a result, Temple's entering students boast better grade point averages and MCAT scores than preceding classes and in aggregate rank above the national average. TUSM has increased scholarship funds by 76% in recent years, which has further enhanced its ability to draw talented applicants. While 55% of the Class of 2011 are Pennsylvania residents, the rest come from 20 other states. 

TUSM enjoys a close educational and working relationship with the Temple University Health System, now encompassing Temple University Hospital and its Episcopal campus, and Jeanes Hospital.  Major teaching affiliates include the Western Pennsylvania Medical Center in Pittsburgh; Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Delaware County; Geisinger Medical Center in Danville; St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network in Bethlehem; Abington Memorial Hospital in Abington Township; Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown; Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown; the Reading Hospital in Reading; Mercy and Moses Taylor Hospitals in Scranton, and the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.  Combined with office practices at Temple and its affiliates, and those of highly qualified primary care and specialty practitioners throughout the Commonwealth, Temple students become experienced in caring for individuals with simple to highly complex illnesses in a variety of settings.

Under the leadership of John Daly, MD, alumnus of the Class of 1973 and Emeritus Dean of the School, TUSM has undergone a revitalization. Looking toward the future, Temple is in the process of expanding its research enterprise, enlarging the size of both its clinical and research faculty. The institution has hired 262 new professors in the past 4 years; added clinical and basic science departments; and has completely revamped the medical curriculum to meet changing educational paradigms.

Additionally, on November 1, 2007, TUSM broke ground on a new home. At a cost of $160 million, the project is the largest capital improvement project in the history of Temple University. The new building, an 11-story glass and brick structure designed by Philadelphia-based architecture and engineering firm Ballinger, opened in May 2009.

In summary, a Temple medical education is highly sought after.  In Philadelphia, TUSM remains the medical school of choice for "first generation" physicians.