When the Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM) was established at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) in 1975, the very concept of Family Medicine as a specialty in medical education was innovative. The specialty combines medical knowledge and clinical skill with a unique process. At the heart of this process is the patient-physician relationship within the totality of family and community. It is what distinguishes Family Medicine from other specialties.

In an age of medical specialists, teaching a whole-person approach to health care demanded vision and commitment. During the past 39 years, our focus has been on advancing new ways to instill the values of Family and Community in MCW students, and teaching our residents to incorporate behavioral science into the daily practice of medicine. We continue to pioneer learning opportunities that deepen understanding of the social, economic and cultural aspects of patient care.

In our classrooms, our community-based residency programs and our progressive community partnerships, DFCM continues to build on its record of innovative education in preparing the next generation of physicians to care for the people of Wisconsin and the nation.