Illinois Medicine

Rusch notes that the creation of the three regional campuses in 1970 was intended to increase access to health care throughout Illinois. "Growing up in a small town in central Illinois, Dr. Flaherty had a real sensitivity to the value of that mission, which made him a particularly effective dean for the regional campuses," she says. In similar fashion, Flaherty's experience as an accomplished researcher is mirrored in his expansion of the college's research endeav- ors. He worked with the deans of the University of Illinois at Chicago's other health science colleges to establish the Center for Clinical and Translational Science, which received a $20 million National Institutes of Health grant, the largest in the university's history. Flaherty also helped establish the Pediatric Brain Research and Interventional Center and created the new Center for Global Health (see "Based Locally, Act- ing Globally," page 8). He has greatly influenced the shape of both the college's faculty and student body, recruiting and appointing more than a dozen new department chairs and center directors and taking initiatives that greatly have increased the number and academic competitiveness of student ap- plicants (see sidebar below). "During the same period, we've increased our commitment to un- derrepresented minorities," Flaherty says with pride, pointing out that the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education has ranked the College of Medicine first among medical schools in the number of Latino students and third in black students. That commitment extends to the faculty as well. "Joe has been very sensitive to the need for a diverse faculty and was instrumental in bring- ing in a very multicultural population," says Henry Dove, MD, associate dean for graduate medical education. "It was something he embraced, and he did an effective job of moving the college in the direction of pro- viding opportunities for these groups." GROWTH IN THE NUMBERS The growth of the University of Illinois College of Medicine under Dean Flaherty's leadership is reflected in the following figures: Students Applications received in 2004: 4,599 Applications received in 2011: 7,941 Average Medical College Admissions Test score for students admitted in 2004: 9.93 Average MCAT for students who have accepted admission to the college in 2011: 10.65 Average grade point average of students who enrolled in 2004: 3.54 Average GPA of students who have accepted admission in 2011: 3.6 Research Expenditures Fiscal year 2004: $110.3 million Fiscal year 2010: $141.4 million Endowment Since 2004, 130 endowed funds valued at a total of $26.6 million have been established in the College of Medicine, including 36 endowed scholarship funds valued at $3.5 million, two endowed chairs and 17 endowed professorships. R SOME PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE FLAHERTY FAMILY EFLECTING HIS OWN APPRECIATION for the opportunity to receive an affordable medical education, and the increases in tuition necessitated by reduced state funding, Flaherty has made increasing scholarship support for students a priority. "The most important thing for students now is finan- cial aid, and the money he's brought in and the changes that have occurred because of that have done spectacular things for students," says Michael Decker, a third-year medical student and president of the Chicago Medical Student Council. A scholarship recipient himself, Decker says the support enables him to worry less about everyday expenses such as rent and gas. "It lets you sweat a little less and focus on what you're supposed to focus on, which is studying," he says. Decker also praises Flaherty's accessibility and responsiveness to students, which extends from stopping to talk to them in the hallway, to meeting with them to discuss and address issues of concern to them. For all he's accomplished, Flaherty is modest and appreciative. "To the extent I have had successes, I attribute them to this university," he says. "Leaving is very emotional, but in a positive way. The overwhelming feeling is in the tremendous positive memories I have of the people and the work we did here." Those who taught, mentored, worked alongside and worked under Flaherty throughout the various stages of his life and career at Illinois Medicine will no doubt second that emotion. I L L INOI S MEDICINE | 19

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