Department History

A Tradition of Excellence and Innovation for Over 40 Years

1968

Family Medicine residents circa 1974

Highland’s Family Medicine Residency Program began—the third in the country and the first in New York State.

1975

Family Medicine Center opened at 885 South Avenue named in honor of Jacob W. Holler, M.D., Director of Medical Education at Highland Hospital.

1986

Mental Health Services offered at South Avenue site.

1988

William G. Rocktaschel, M.D., Endowed Chair of Family Medicine established by the Highland Foundation through the generosity of Grace Kime.

1989

Department of Family Medicine established at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. John C. Dickinson, M.D., named inaugural Chair.

2000

25th Anniversary celebration of the Family Medicine Center. During the year, clinicians provide 55,000 visits to over 17,000 patients served by the Center.

2002

Department of Family Medicine endorses the development of the Global Health Track.

2003

Family Medicine residents circa 2011

The Department of Family Medicine is nationally recognized and ranked 14th best in the nation by US News & World Report.

2004

Thomas L. Campbell, M.D., named William G. Rocktaschel Professor and Chair of Family Medicine and Associate Director of University of Rochester’s Center for Primary Care.

2005

Highland Family Medicine Center moves to 777 South Clinton Avenue along with Strong Behavioral Health, the Highland Apothecary, Cornhill Internal Medicine, and a Strong Health Laboratories collection station.

2006

Through a generous family gift, Highland Family Medicine Center is rededicated as the Frank W. and Lynne V. Lovejoy Family Medicine Center.

2006

Transition to electronic medical record system.

2007

Preparing the Personal Physician for Practice (p4) designation—1 of 14 residencies in the country.

2011

First year of residency expansion from 10-10-10 to 12-12-12 program. Planned expansion into additional office space at 757 South Clinton Avenue. Achieved Level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home status from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

2018

October 12-14, 2018, Family Medicine 50th Anniversary Reunion www.facebook.com/Highland-Family-Medicine-50th-Reunion-143498863029955/

2019

Colleen Fogarty, MD, MSc., FAAFP, named William G. Rocktaschel Professor and Chair of Family Medicine and Associate Director of University of Rochester’s Center for Primary Care.