The state is investing millions in supporting young people from diverse backgrounds who want to become doctors.
The Bronx Community Health Leaders Program at Albert Einstein College of Medicine was among the programs to receive a total of $4.89 million in funding, which was announced July 17 at the Morris Park college. At Bronx Community Health Leaders, members support each other through their career paths, work with experienced physicians and volunteer in clinics as patient advocates and educators. Approximately 55% of members live in the Bronx, according to information from the organization.
The New York State Department of Health awarded the funds to 18 Diversity in Medicine programs, which are managed by the the Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY). The investment will support 950 students and will also provide for one-year full tuition scholarships to 23 students.
Getting more students from a variety of backgrounds into medical careers — and helping them succeed along the way — is critical to improving health outcomes. According to the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC), diversity efforts should focus not only on race, gender and language but also veteran status, religion and other factors.
The organization said a diverse workforce “cultivates an innovation mindset, catalyzes creativity and discovery, and enhances complex problem-solving, prediction and forecasting.”
According to information about the current first-year class at Einstein, eight of the 183 students were born in the Bronx, and 16% identify as from groups underrepresented in medicine.
In announcing the new funding, elected officials and school faculty said it will impact the field in broad ways.
“The impact extends beyond the individual students who participate,” said Einstein Associate Professor Dr. Juan Robles, co-director of Bronx Community Health Leaders. “They have the potential to elevate their families and communities, making for a brighter and healthier Bronx and New York.”
“Diversity in our medical field allows patients access to care by familiar faces, which is known to have positive outcomes not just in patient-provider relationships and trust, but also in health outcomes,” said Assemblymember Michael Benedetto.
Bronx doctors have recently spoken up about the need for more doctors from a variety of backgrounds that reflect the patients they serve. At a July 10 contract rally by medical residents at Montefiore Health Systems, with which Einstein is affiliated, staff called for increased efforts at recruiting and retaining people from diverse backgrounds.
“We all know residents [of color] who have left programs” because they lacked support — which only increases over-reliance on those who stay, said OBGYN resident Clara Bertozzi-Villa at the rally.
The Albert Einstein College of Medicine made national headlines in February when it received a $1 billion donation from Ruth L. Gottesman, chair of the Einstein board of trustees and Montefiore Health System board member, to provide free tuition in perpetuity. Tomer said at the time that the gift will be instrumental in recruiting students “who are committed to our mission, not just those who can afford it.”