Message from the Chair

Welcome!  We were founded in the spring of 1972 as New Jersey's first medical school department of family medicine.

Frank C. Snope, MD, one of the seminal leaders in American family medicine, was the founding chair. Under his leadership, the department developed a reputation for excellence in undergraduate medical education with a statewide network of clinical faculty preceptors, a model emulated around the country. Linkages were developed to residency programs based at community hospital affiliates throughout New Jersey.

In 1982, Dr. Joseph A. Lieberman, III became the second chair, and the New Brunswick residency program grew and established a reputation for excellence in training through creative partnerships with community affiliates. Innovative, federally recognized clinical programs were developed, including services for the developmentally disabled and chronically mentally ill, and community outreach programs for minority children, women, and the elderly.

Under the leadership of David E. Swee, MD, the third chair, the development of unique population-based fellowship programs and research accelerated. Major research training programs began, the Research Division was founded and flourished, and the Center for Healthy Families and Cultural Diversity achieved prominence.

Today, the Department's academic and clinical programs serve more than 100,000 students, professionals, and patients each year in hospitals, medicals offices, post-acute and long-term care facilities, homes, schools, businesses and communities throughout New Jersey. With outstanding expertise in clinical care, community service, medical education, and an excellent track record in quality of care focused primary care research, the Department serves as a resource for New Jersey and the nation.

Please enjoy a brief video about our department.

We hope you will enjoy our web site, and look forward to your visiting us soon.

Alfred F. Tallia, MD, MPH

Professor and Chair