temple university school of medicine

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 Medical Center 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.

Looking toward the future, Temple is expanding its research enterprise, enlarging the size of both its clinical and research faculty, and building a new medical school scheduled for opening in 2009.  This new medical education and research building is the first step for Temple University School of Medicine in realizing a bold new vision.  While bricks and mortar do not define institutional character and quality, they are essential to an institution's vitality.  The new facility symbolizes Temple's determination to be a leader in medical education and healthcare.  It is the largest building project in the university's history and it quite visibly demonstrates a steadfast commitment to the surrounding neighborhood and to the City of Philadelphia.  These investments will enable Temple to be faithful to its missions for many years to come.

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