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UMass Chan Medical School honors Vandana Nagpal and Abita Raj
They are amongst 8 honorees, recognized for their contributions in the medical field.
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Bhavana P - Sat, 31, May 2025
- 15:50 EDT
- 17
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(L-R) Abita Raj (UMass Memorial Hospital), and Vandana Nagpal (UMass Chan Medical School) /
The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (UMass Chan) honored Indian-origin faculty Vandana Nagpal and Abita Raj at its 25th annual Women’s Faculty Awards.
Nagpal received the Sarah Stone Excellence in Education Award, while Raj was recognized with the Excellence in Clinical Services Award. The awards were presented on May 22 at the Albert Sherman Center in Worcester, in recognition of their contributions to academic medicine.
Also read: Clemson recognizes Indian-origin faculty with awards
Associate professor of medicine and associate chief of the Palliative Care Division at UMass Memorial Health, Nagpal is known for her dedication to medical education and quality improvement. At UMass Chan, she leads training programs that equip medical students and clinicians with the communication skills needed for navigating emotionally difficult conversations with seriously ill patients.
She also spearheaded a wellness initiative for internal medicine residents, significantly improving their overall well-being. Her previous accolades include the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation. She originally trained in India and later at the State University of New York in Buffalo.
Raj, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, brings over a decade of clinical experience to UMass Chan. She is known for her compassionate approach to care and her dedication to expanding mental health access, including through telehealth services.
Her work has had a lasting impact on young patients and families across the region. She graduated from Ross University School of Medicine in 2010, followed by residency and fellowships at the UMass Chan Medical School.
The awards ceremony highlighted the school’s commitment to gender equity, with leadership emphasizing the importance of continued advocacy in academic medicine. “You come from different schools and areas of distinction, and are being honored for different contributions, but what you have in common is that you approach your primary role with a mindset of partnership and a commitment of service to our learners, our mission as an academic health center and the broader community,” said Mary Ellen Lane, dean of the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
“I want to encourage you to continue this effort to bring true equity to what we’re doing, for the benefit of those we serve,” Terence R. Flotte executive deputy chancellor, provost and dean of the T.H. Chan School of Medicine said.
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