Photo: John Gillooly/PEI
In his 19th and final Convocation address on Thursday, Sept. 11, Chancellor Michael F. Collins encouraged members of the UMass Chan Medical School community to remain optimistic and continue forward on a “principled path” to fulfill the noble purposes of their careers, even against the backdrop of global unpredictability.
Chancellor Collins said, “Despite the uncertainties that we currently face with reduced funding for research and patient care, governmental priority changes and an assault on science and its fundamental principles of integrity, innovation and novel ideation, we must not forget that we are called at this moment to return to our idealism, an idealism that emanates from the goodness of the human spirit and the power of our intellect.”
He shared his impressions of meeting the incoming class of youthful and energetic medical school students and encouraged UMass Chan faculty to find ways to renew the hope and positivity they experienced in the early days of their professional lives.
“I urge us to rekindle the optimism that heralded those days, the idealism that created hopes, and the determination which suffused our every action, as we came to the privileged positions we now hold,” Chancellor Collins said.
Collins, who announced in June he will conclude his chancellorship at the end of the 2025-26 academic year, promised the faculty he would continue to advocate on their behalf for more funding and recognition for the remainder of his time as chancellor.
“You are too important to this commonwealth and this world. You are very important to those who need your care, your science and your thoughtfulness. You are essential to a successful future for our profession,” Collins said. “By sticking together, in fulfillment of our calling, we can advance together to the promise of an ambitious future in service to those who need us most.”
A highlight of the annual ceremony was the announcement of the 2025 recipients of the Chancellor’s Medals for excellence in teaching, scholarship, service and clinical excellence.
Howard J. Sachs, MD, associate professor of medicine, received the Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Teaching. Dr. Sachs was invited to present the 2026 Last Lecture, a celebration of teaching, and received the Manning Prize, a $10,000 award established by former UMass Board Chair Robert Manning and his wife, Donna Manning, both of whom are UMass alums.
“Dr. Sachs, in your service to our learners, you have engaged in clinical problem solving and patient care in a more authentic and interactive way,” Collins said. You are described as a ‘quintessential partner’ and ‘game changer’; your creativity and commitment have positively impacted generations of learners and colleagues.”
Guangping Gao, PhD, the Penelope Booth Rockwell Professor in Biomedical Research, chair and professor of genetic & cellular medicine, director of the Horae Gene Therapy Center and director of the Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, received the Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Scholarship.
Photo: John Gillooly/PEI
In his presentation to Dr. Gao, Collins said, “Your groundbreaking work has been instrumental in reviving the gene therapy field and addressing many untreatable human diseases. In fact, your science has provided new hope for many of the children and families affected by the over 7,000 rare genetic diseases.”
Gao will present the plenary lecture at this fall’s research retreat.
The Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Clinical Excellence was presented to Ellen H. Delpapa, MD, professor of obstetrics & gynecology. Dr. Delpapa is invited to lead the first-year class in the recitation of the Oath of Maimonides at the 2026 White Coat Ceremony.
Collins highlighted Delpapa’s work in the community, running winter clothing and diaper drives for families in need, organizing cooking classes for pregnant people, and leading a walking group for people who are pregnant and have diabetes.
Photo: John Gillooly/PEI
“Throughout your career, you have been incredibly dedicated to improving care for families of Central Massachusetts and have been committed to treating each potential new mother as if they were the most important priority,” Collins said.
The Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Service was awarded to Gregory A. Volturo, MD, the Richard V. Aghababian, MD’74 Chair in Emergency Medicine and chair and professor of emergency medicine.
Dr. Volturo is invited to carry the Medical School’s ceremonial mace at events throughout the academic year.
“This recognition is most fitting for one who has been such an outstanding collaborator and leader for our institution over many years of service,” Collins said.
Collins celebrated Volturo’s leadership of the Department of Emergency Medicine as a top 10 NIH-funded department for 10 straight years.
“At UMass Chan you have served our Department of Emergency Medicine in many ways and roles . . . and have created an incredibly rich and supportive academic environment,” Collins said.
Photo: John Gillooly/PEI
The following faculty members were honored and invested as endowed professors:
Terence R. Flotte, MD, executive deputy chancellor, provost and dean of the T.H. Chan School of Medicine, was appointed the inaugural holder of the Elisabeth Chair for the Dean of Medicine.
Richard I. Gregory, PhD, chair and professor of molecular, cell & cancer biology, was appointed the Eleanor Eustis Farrington Chair in Cancer Research.
Anne C. Larkin, MD, associate professor of surgery and vice provost and senior associate dean for educational affairs, was appointed the Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor in Medical Education.
Stephenie C. Lemon, PhD, professor of population & quantitative health sciences and chief of the Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, was appointed the new holder of the Barbara Helen Smith Chair in Preventive and Behavioral Medicine.
Craig L. Peterson, PhD, professor of molecular medicine, was named the inaugural holder of the Elisabeth Chair I.
Oliver Rando, MD, PhD, professor of biochemistry & molecular biotechnology, was named the inaugural holder of the Endowed Chair in Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology II.
Kenneth L. Rock, MD, chair and professor of pathology, was named the inaugural holder of the UMass Chan Medical School Chair in Biomedical Research.
Christopher M. Sassetti, PhD, professor of microbiology, was named the inaugural holder of the Elisabeth Chair II.
Paul Thompson, PhD, professor of biochemistry & molecular biotechnology and director of the Program in Chemical Biology, was named the inaugural holder of the Endowed Chair in Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology I.
The full Convocation and Investiture ceremony can be seen on the UMass Chan YouTube channel.
