Associated Medical Schools of New York, on Behalf of Underrepresented in Medicine Students, Thanks State Assembly, the Black, Hispanic, Puerto Rican and Asian Legislative Caucus, and Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes

In response to the release of the New York State Assembly FY19 Families First budget proposal, Associated Medical Schools of New York President Jo Wiederhorn issued the following statement:

“Students who are underrepresented in medicine today gained a champion in the State Assembly with the restoration of cuts proposed to the highly successful and much-needed diversity in medicine programs run by AMSNY.

“And they are not the only winners in this proposed budget; New Yorkers from diverse backgrounds will be better served and experience improved health outcomes when they have access to doctors who represent their diversity.

“New York has a big gap between diverse doctors and diverse patients.  For 25 years, AMSNY diversity in medicine programs, thanks to funding from New York State, has worked to close the gap by paving the way for more underrepresented in medicine students to become doctors.

“The programs have a 94+ percent success rate and have produced hundreds of doctors who often serve in primary care in underserved communities.  The return on investment is enormous and we are grateful to the State Assembly, the Black, Hispanic, Puerto Rican and Asian Legislative Caucus, and Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes for proposing a restoration to the cuts.”

The State Assembly proposed restoring the program budget to $1,244,000, up $248,800 from the governor’s proposed budget.  The program was cut 22.5 percent in the FY18 budget. At its height, the program had a $1,960,000 budget and served more students from high school through post-baccalaureate.  For more information, visit https://amsny.org/initiatives/advocacy/state-advocacy/