A life-changing learning experience for students, exceptional care for the sick and a curiosity for medical research and discovery. The mission of the VCU School of Medicine is to provide preeminent education to physicians and scientists in order to improve the quality of health care for humanity. Through innovative, scholarly activity and a diverse educational context, the school seeks to create and apply new knowledge, and to provide and continuously improve systems of medical and science education. Furthermore, the mission includes the development of more effective health care practices to address the needs of diverse populations and to provide distinguished leadership in the advancement of medicine and science.