‘We’re Not Done’: MCPHS Worcester Marks a Quarter-Century of Care

A Legacy of Growth

Marsha Gershon-Aguilera, a 2013 nursing alum working in pharmaceutical research, came to the celebration to reconnect with old friends. She said the anniversary brought back memories of her student days. “It’s great to see the school celebrating and encouraging us to be involved in the community,” she said. “It feels nice and invigorating to see the school thriving.”

Conway-Allen, who joined the faculty in 2009, said she sees the campus as part of her own Worcester story. As a teenager, she worked behind the pharmacy counter at a local CVS, transferred to MCPHS in 2005, graduated in 2008, and has spent the past 16 years teaching.

“I’ve watched each building open and we own the whole block now. This is my place, and it’s a wonderful place,” she said, “I even have season tickets to the WooSox.”

More Than Academics

Morin pointed out that MCPHS Worcester’s role extends beyond its classrooms. The campus is home to the Eye and Vision Center, the Forsyth Dental Hygiene Clinic, the Balance and Wellness Center, and the Pharmacy Outreach Program, which offer student training and community care services. The University has also made interprofessional education a hallmark, bringing students across disciplines together to learn collaboration essential to modern healthcare.

“Healthcare looks vastly different today than it did 25 years ago, or even six months ago,” Morin told attendees. “But through it all, we’ve continued to ensure our graduates are prepared to work side by side with other health professionals to make a difference in the lives of their patients.”

Looking Forward

MCPHS continues to expand its presence in Worcester. In March 2024, the University purchased a row of properties between Belmont and Lincoln streets. The acquisitions include 26 and 34 Old Lincoln St.—the William H. Bliss Building and the Harrison Bliss Tenement House, both built in the 1880s—as well as 31 and 33 New Lincoln St.

Morin said the purchases are part of MCPHS’s ongoing effort to strengthen its academic and residential footprint while continuing to shape Worcester’s future. She emphasized that the anniversary was both a celebration and a reaffirmation of the school’s mission.

“We’ve educated thousands of students, faced multiple challenges, and continued to improve lives and the world in educational, clinical, industrial, and policymaking arenas,” she said. Morin added that the Worcester campus’s history reflects the growth of MCPHS as a whole, which now spans Boston, Worcester, and Manchester—as well as online programs—offering more than 100 healthcare degree and certificate programs.

“Happy 25th birthday, Worcester,” Morin told the crowd. “We’re not done.”

Visit our Flickr album to see more photos from the anniversary celebration. Photography by Brian Malloy.