This Annual Report provides a sampling—an overview, a taste, a hint—of the extraordinary range of activities that occurs every day at UMDNJ. Throughout the state of New Jersey—indeed, throughout the world—in partnership with a remarkably diverse array of individuals, groups, and organizations, the people of UMDNJ engage in leading-edge research, state-of-the-art education, life-saving clinical care, and a remarkable variety of community services.

This panoply of exciting, and often surprising, activities was a constant source of pride and pleasure for me during my tenure as Interim President, and also a continuing challenge, since a large part of my role was to make sure that the University’s organizational, financial, and operating structures were worthy of activities they were designed to support, and that the leadership of the University supported, rather than hindered, the really important work of its faculty, staff, and students.

Although there is much still to be done, I think we made substantial progress, under the leadership of a reconstituted Board of Trustees, and with lots of help from lots of other people. The level of transparency and accountability throughout the University’s operations has increased enormously.

Our financial books are up-to-date and in order, and our financial control systems are rapidly improving. An outstanding new Office of Ethics and Compliance will serve as a model for other complex institutions. Our purchasing and procurement operations have been totally restructured. Significant reinvestment has begun in our information, research, and physical infrastructure.

Through all these efforts, and the setbacks and public notoriety that helped trigger them, the vital work of UMDNJ went on, with only limited perturbation. Our students continued to learn—and to excel at national examinations and in residency matches. Our patients continued to receive excellent care. Our scientists continued to break new ground in areas that will contribute measurably to human health and well-being. And we continued to be a good neighbor, partner, and ally to our colleagues and collaborators throughout the state.

As the reform agenda is brought to full fruition under our talented new President, the opportunities that lie ahead are truly breathtaking. UMDNJ has demonstrated the capacity to address its internal problems and reform itself. Now the even larger challenge will be to elicit the kind of support from government, philanthropy, private business, and the broader community necessary to permit it to seize those opportunities.

Bruce C. Vladeck, PhD
Interim University President
March 2006-June 2007