Acknowledging that the future of translational research depends upon the basic science community being well versed in human disease, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, in conjunction with Penn’s Biomedical Graduate Studies Program (BGS), has created the Graduate Training in Medical Sciences (GTMS) Certificate Program. The GTMS curriculum integrates focused medical education into the doctoral curriculum and experience, affording Ph.D. students an appreciation of medicine and human biology not formerly available. The program aims to promote clinically relevant research by producing basic scientists who not only have a clearer understanding of human biology and pathology, but who can effectively interact with clinical scientists to tackle medically relevant research problems. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a Certificate in the Medical Sciences in addition to their doctoral degree.