Albany Medical College Mission Statement Analysis

• Company: Albany Medical College      
• CEO: Dennis P. McKenna
• Year founded: 1839
• Headquarters: Albany, New York, USA
• Number of Employees: 10,000+
• Number of Students: 566
• Type: Private Nonprofit 

Products & Services: Medical Degree (MD) Programs | Research & Biomedical Innovation | Student Health Services

Competitors: Baylor College of Medicine | NYU Grossman School of Medicine | New York Medical College | Albert Einstein College of Medicine | Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons | State University of New York | Amherst College | Long Island School of Medicine | Weill Cornell Medical College | Icahn School of Medicine | Mount Holyoke College

Did you know? Albany Medical College has produced many medicine and research leaders, including 2 Nobel Prize winners and 2 Lasker Award winners.

Albany Medical College is a private medical school founded in 1839 by Alden March and James Armsby. The New York-based institution offers undergraduate programs, graduate programs, research opportunities, and fellowships across medical fields, from neuroscience to physician assistantship, immunology, cell biology, and research. Albany Medical College’s mission statement, vision, and values set it apart from other institutions. In 2024, Albany Medical College ranked in the top 6.1% globally at #1273 out of 20,966 colleges. It is #242 in the US. [1]

Founded in 1839, Albany Medical College is one of America’s oldest private medical schools. It is part of the Albany Med Health System, including the Albany Medical Center, Columbia Memorial Health, Glens Falls Hospital, Saratoga Hospital, and the Visiting Nurses. In 2024, 134 Albany Medical College students were matched to US residency programs. 15 students will complete their residencies at Albany Medical Center. [2]

To understand Albany Medical College’s secret to success and excellence over 185 years, here is an in-depth analysis of its mission statement, vision, and values:

Albany Medical College’s Mission Statement

To improve health by attaining the highest quality standard in care delivery, education, and research initiatives. [3]

Here is our analysis of Albany Medical College’s mission statement:  

1. Improve health

Albany Medical College is committed to improving health by nurturing future professionals. It aims to close healthcare gaps by focusing on underserved regions and fields. On US News’ 2024 ranking, Albany Medical College was #73 in the “Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care” category. It was #147 for “Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas.” [4]

Albany Medical College strives to improve health by delivering professional physicians, caregivers, and researchers into the healthcare system. Its scientists contribute to medical research and studies, laying the groundwork for effective new drugs and therapeutics. For example, AMC’s Molecular and Cellular Physiology Professor Margarida Barroso is investigating how AI usage can improve targeted drug therapy in HER2-positive breast cancer treatment. “We hope the advanced imaging approach we’re developing will allow biologists and clinicians to better understand how tumors adapt or change during treatment,” said Dr. Barroso. [5]

2. Exceptional patient care delivery

Albany Medical College aims to improve health by nurturing professionals with exceptional care delivery capabilities. 41% of AMC’s 2024 class specialized in primary care specialties. The institution also achieves this mission by prioritizing service learning in its curriculum. In Sep 2024, over 70 Albany Medical College students offered free health education, healthy food, screenings, supplies, and family-friendly activities to over 600 community members on Sheridan Avenue. The 21^st annual Dr. Pamela Harper Community Block Party educated the students on delivering the best care in the communities their patients call home. [6]

3. High-quality medical education

Albany Medical College aims to improve health by providing high-quality medical education. Its low acceptance rate ensures quality. For example, in 2022, Albany Medical College received 12,430 applications and accepted only 145 applicants. These figures represent a 2% acceptance rate. [7]

Albany Medical College offers high-quality courses across 6 degree types. AMC’s vascular program is renowned worldwide for its long history of excellence. Albany Medical Center is the largest provider of vascular surgery in northeastern New York and western New England. As of Sep 2024, over one-third of Albany Med’s vascular surgeons were women. The college also guarantees education quality by hiring top experts in each sub-field. For example, Dr. Courtney Warner is the vascular residency training program director and assistant dean for graduate medical education. [8]

4. Highest standard research initiatives

Albany Medical College supports and engages in high-standard research initiatives to help improve health. The institution has led efforts to find effective treatments and therapeutics for different conditions, from Alzheimer’s disease to breast cancer, coronary artery disease, and COVID. In Feb 2024, Albany Medical College received a $3.9 million grant from the NIH to expand its COVID research. “We seek to identify molecular biomarkers in the blood to help monitor the disease resolution objectively,” said Dr. Ariel Jaitovich, associate professor of medicine at Albany Medical College. [9]

Albany Medical College’s Vision Statement

To deliver our mission by means of a structure that will be, and remain, autonomous and self-governing. [10]

Albany Medical College’s vision statement highlights how the institution will deliver its mission. It is committed to maintaining an organizational structure that protects its autonomy and self-governance. For example, the college remains private to minimize external influence and disruptions. Its parent company, the Albany Med Health System, is the only regionally governed health system in northeastern New York and western New England. Albany Med extends resources for patients by fostering relationships with local healthcare providers. [11]

The Albany Med Health System provides an organizational structure for all its brands, ensuring autonomy and self-governance. It operates Albany Medical College and four hospitals: Glens Falls Hospital, Albany Medical Center, Columbia Memorial Health, Saratoga Hospital, and the Visiting Nurses. Each has a rich, century-long tradition in its community. In Sep 2022, CEO Dr. Dennis McKenna launched a new public awareness campaign to unite all Albany Med brands. Its colleges and hospitals will share a common visual identity anchored by the health system name and logo. This move ensures all brands work toward the same mission and vision. [12]

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Albany Medical College’s Values

Albany Medical College’s values include excellence, continuous improvement, integrity, compassion, respect, diversity, equality, and inclusivity. It nurtures collaboration, fiscal accountability, and responsiveness. These principles guide the college’s operations and how its employees and students engage with communities. [13]

How does Albany Medical College live by its values?

1. Excellence and continuous improvement

Albany Medical College provides a dynamic and supportive scientific environment for excellence. It offers over 200 degrees across 6 degree types. Each option helps students improve their medical knowledge and skills. In Mar 2022, Albany Medical College introduced a summer regenerative and cancer cell biology (RCCB) research program. Students participate in hands-on laboratory research and activities for 8 weeks to strengthen their scientific, academic, and professional development. This program enables excellence and continuous improvement. [14]

2. Integrity

Albany Medical College incorporates integrity in decision-making and operations. Its institutional policies promote an environment free of discrimination and harassment. Students should follow procedures in their program’s Student Handbook to resolve complaints about the college. [15]

3. Compassion and respect

Albany Medical College values compassionate and respectful interactions. The institution integrated this value into its protocols, procedures, and policies. Its Student Handbook states, “Compassion, interpersonal skills, concern for others, and motivation are integral to the practice of medicine.” The college considers applicants with these personal qualities. It encourages students to show compassion when caring for a diverse patient population and respect patients’ autonomy. [16]

4. DEI

Albany Med strives to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all students, employees, and patients. Boahema Pinto, MD, dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Albany Medical College, educates medical students on caring for diverse and vulnerable patient populations. The college requires 40 hours of service learning, ensuring each student connects with the local community. It also promotes diversity and inclusion in its faculty. [17]

5. System-wide collaboration

Albany Medical College believes collaborative initiatives drive growth and improve care delivery. It collaborates with institutions across the Albany Med Health System. In Dec 2024, four Albany Medical College professors partnered to study age-related diseases like cardiovascular disease and dementia. “This collaboration expands our programs to foster discoveries that deepen our understanding of each condition,” said Dr. Fredman. The college collaborates with Albany Med’s hospitals to improve treatments and patient care. [18]

6. People-first

Albany Med values responsiveness to people in its communities. The institution encourages students and employees to advocate for the needs of patients. It also creates an inclusive and supportive environment to empower its faculty. In Dec 2024, Forbes recognized Albany Med as one of the best employers in New York State. Newsweek named Albany Medical Center one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2024. These accolades recognize Albany Med’s people-first approach and DEI efforts. [19]

7. Fiscal accountability

Albany Medical College values financial transparency. It applies this principle by informing and educating students on their financial obligations. For example, the college’s 2023-2024 Financial Aid Guide highlights tuition fees for full-time students, loan disbursements, scholarships, and aid recipients’ rights and responsibilities. The information enhances accountability and transparency. [20]

References

1. CWUR (2024, Jan 1). Top Universities 2024: Albany Medical College Ranking. CWUR.org
2. Albany Medical College (2024, Mar 15). AMC: Match Results 2024. AMC.com
3. Albany Medical College. About Us: Mission and Philosophy. AMC.com
4. US News (2024, Jan 1). US News Medical School 2024 Ranking: Albany Medical College. USNews.com
5. Nelson, C. (2024, Sep 17). Advancing the Search for a Cure. AlbanyMed.org
6. Spadaro, J. (2024, Sep 5). Albany Med Students Support Community at Annual Block Party. AlbanyMed.com
7. Albany Medical College (2023, Jan 5). About Us: Facts & Figures. AMC.com
8. Mansfield, M. (2024, Sep 13). Renowned Vascular Surgeons Improve Quality of Life for Patients. AlbanyMed.com
9. Dominguez, C. (2024, Feb 1). $3.9 million award for Albany Medical College to study long COVID. News10
10. Albany Med Health System. Our Story: Mission, Vision, and Values. AlbanyMed.com
11. Markham, M. (2022, Dec 12). The System He Always Saw. AlbanyMed.com
12. Lucas, D. (2022, Sep 20). Albany Med Health System is launching a new branding effort for the main hospital, Capital Region branches. WAMC
13. Albany Medical College. About Us: Mission, Vision, and Values. AMC.com
14. Albany Medical College (2022, Mar 11). AMC: Program for Undergraduate Research and Professional Development. Princeton.edu
15. Albany Medical College. AMC: Institutional Policies. EMC.edu
16. Albany Medical College (2024, Jul 1). Student Handbook: Principles, Policies, Protocols and Rules. AMC.edu
17. Mansfield, M. (2024, Dec 18). Workforce Diversity Key to Mission. Albany Med
18. Nelson, C. (2024, Dec 18). Researchers Join Forces to Study Age-Related Diseases. Albany Med
19. Ford, S. (2024, Dec 18). Forbes names Albany Medical Center among Best-In-State Employers. Albany Med
20. Albany Medical College (2022, Dec 15). 2023-2024 Financial Aid Guide. AMC.edu
21. Featured Image by National Cancer Institute