The origins of the program extend back to the nineties. In 1994, Walter Daly, MD, a faculty member who formerly served as Dean, was appointed to review the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students at IU School of Medicine. During this process, George Rawls, MD, who served as Assistant Dean, recommended to Daly the formation of the Master of Science in Medical Science (MSMS) as a pilot project to replace the Modified Curricular Program. The Master of Science in Medical Science (MSMS) Program launched in the summer of 1995. Establishing committee members included Joseph Christian, MD, PhD, chair; William Bosrom, PhD; Fred Ficklin, MEd; Edward Harper, PhD; Robert Harris, PhD; and George Rawls, MD.
Former directors of the program are as follows:
- George Rawls, MD (1995-1998)
- Edward Harper, PhD (1998-2000)
- William Agbor-Baiyee, PhD (2000-2011)
- Ronald Shew, PhD (2011-2016)
Vicki Bonds, MS, MEd, currently serves as director of the MSMS program and has held this position since 2016.
