Photo: Bryan Goodchild
MD/PhD student Bethany Berry is reprising her role as UMass Chan Medical School’s student representative on the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees, a position she held during the 2022–23 academic year. Now that she’s been re-elected by the student body, she’s motivated to advocate for funding and eager to join the selection process for UMass Chan’s new chancellor.
“Having served previously, I know the impact I can make. This position is great because you’re able to impact change at every level,” said Berry, who hails from Maine.
In her first round as student trustee, Berry focused on reestablishing on-campus celebrations after the COVID-19 pandemic, helped facilitate free printing in the Lamar Soutter Library, provided nursing students with additional support and resources for their National Council Licensure Examination, and acted as a student advisor during the development of the T.H. Chan School of Medicine’s LEAD@Lahey track.
“I’ve represented the interests of our current and future students in summits, town halls and board meetings, and I’m most proud whenever I see a new student enjoying changes I made,” said Berry. “Our students spend their free time knitting for sick babies, playing games with pediatric cancer patients and volunteering at free clinics. I feel privileged to represent and support such an outstanding community.”
During this term, Berry hopes to advocate for medical school funding.
“As the only public medical school in Massachusetts, UMass Chan is serving a vital role to educate the state’s next generation of doctors, nurses and scientists, and we remain among the best schools in the country for primary care education,” Berry said. “Our students need leaders who help them receive education to achieve dreams of service to their communities.”
She’s also looking forward to serving on UMass Chan’s Chancellor Search Committee, following Chancellor Michael F. Collins’ June decision to step down from his role in July 2026.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to shape the future of our institution at such a key moment in our history. It’s important that the next chancellor listens to and supports students,” said Berry. “I’d love to see the next chancellor have a similar passion for medical education in addition to a strong understanding of medicine, research and health care administration.”
Since she last served, Berry has gotten married and defended her PhD thesis in the lab of Mark Johnson, MD, PhD, the Maroun Semaan Chair in Neurosurgery, chair and professor of neurological surgery and senior vice provost for mentorship, leadership and transformation at UMass Chan. In March, she hopes to couples match with her husband, MD/PhD student Pryce Michener, into a psychiatry residency program.
