The Miller School of Medicine has been reaccredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), it was announced on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

The news had been awaited for more than half a year, following a multi-day, on-site LCME evaluation of the Miller School's Miami and Florida Atlantic University campuses back in February.

In a letter dated Oct. 16, LCME officials announced that the Miller School's status as an accredited medical school had been renewed for eight more years. The letter also identified five areas of excellence singled out within the Miller School.

"It's gratifying to have the strengths of the institution recognized by an external peer-review group," says Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean, and CEO of the University of Miami Health System.

"Our core education programs were endorsed by the same LCME process that granted us reaccreditation," Goldschmidt adds. "We have the hard work of the Miller School education team, faculty, students and staff to thank for this strong vote of confidence."

The LCME's confirmation letter singles out the following examples of the Miller School's "institutional strength:"

•Dean Goldschmidt's development of a "bold and ambitious strategic plan."

•The implementation of a community-based regional campus in Boca Raton, in conjunction with Florida Atlantic University (FAU).

•The University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Hospital Center for Patient Safety.

•The Miller School's Office of Financial Aid, for the manner in which it serves students on both campuses.

•Innovative methods and content in the Miller School's new four-year curriculum.

"We're especially pleased by the comments regarding the Boca Campus," says Michael Friedland, M.D., the Miller School's regional dean at FAU and vice president for medical programs, and dean of the Schmidt College of Biomedical Science at FAU. "I think the positive outcome reflects a real team effort between the two campuses."

Miller School officials spent more than a year preparing for the February on-site visit, which was conducted by five LCME physicians.

"The credit for our reaccreditation goes to a whole lot of people," says Laurence Gardner, M.D., professor of medicine and executive dean for education and policy. "Areas needing attention within the LCME's assessment are minor and few, and have either been addressed, or are currently being rectified."

"And above all, the most meaningful comment made by the reviewers addressed the quality of our students," Goldschmidt says. "All five reviewers were seasoned academic leaders, all with substantial interaction with medical students, who with one voice said it all: ‘Your students are truly exceptional -- we mean it, you have absolutely outstanding students!'

"We thank all of our students, their mentors and educators for making our UM Miller School, at Miami and at FAU, all that it can be."