11/05/2024

AMSNY Awards Medical School Scholarships to Expand Representation and Address Shortages in New York’s Physician Workforce

– More students than ever receive the Diversity in Medicine Scholarship and commit to work in medically underserved areas –

(New York)—Thirty-eight students who have overcome adversity on the path to medical school have been awarded the 2024-2025 AMSNY Diversity in Medicine Scholarship. Thanks to $1.25 million in funding from New York State and an additional $1 million from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, this year’s scholarship cohort is the largest ever and reflects AMSNY’s ongoing commitment to addressing the lack of diversity in the medical field.

The scholarship of $45,000 per year for up to four years reduces financial barriers for students pursuing medical careers. Recipients commit to working in medically underserved areas in New York State after completing their medical education and training. The scholarship is available to students who have faced significant obstacles and demonstrated resilience on their journeys to medical school and have completed one of AMSNY’s six post-baccalaureate programs, which have a 94% success rate in placing students in New York medical schools.

Diversity in the medical workforce is critical to improving health outcomes. Research shows that patients have better health outcomes when treated by physicians from shared backgrounds. By supporting these students, AMSNY aims to help reduce health disparities and ensure more equitable healthcare access across the state.

“AMSNY congratulates the 2024-25 Diversity in Medicine Scholarship recipients and applauds their dedication to medicine and improving access to care for all New Yorkers,” said Jonathan Teyan, CEO of AMSNY. “We are confident these future physicians will be leaders and play an important role in improving healthcare outcomes in underserved areas of the state.”

Launched in 2017 with funding from the New York State Department of Health and the support of the New York State Legislature, AMSNY’s Diversity in Medicine Scholarship is an integral part of its mission to expand opportunities for talented students and continue to diversify the physician workforce.

The full list of scholarship recipients is included below, with students attending medical schools throughout the state – from western New York to eastern Long Island. These future physicians represent the next generation of medical professionals committed to improving healthcare for all New Yorkers.

Four-Time Scholarship Recipients

  • Dominique Alexis, SUNY Upstate Medical University, MD, ’25
  • Vanessa Chicas, SUNY Upstate Medical University, MD, ’25
  • Luna Paredes, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, MD, ’25

Three-Time Scholarship Recipients

  • Antonio Bottos, School of Dentistry and Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center, MD, ’26
  • Isaac Faith, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, MD, ’26
  • Juliet Manu, New York Medical College, MD, ’26
  • Josue Merida, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, MD, ’26
  • Nneka Onwumere, SUNY Upstate Medical University, MD, ’25
  • Oumou Touré, School of Dentistry and Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center, MD, ’26

Two-Time Scholarship Recipients

  • John Alvarez, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, MD, ’26
  • Angelia Clemons, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, the University at Buffalo, SUNY, MD, ’27
  • Afeesat Durosinmi, SUNY Upstate Medical University, MD, ’27
  • Emmaly Gutierrez, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, MD, ’27
  • Stephanie Ijomah, SUNY Upstate Medical University, MD, ’27
  • Niaya Jackson, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, the University at Buffalo, SUNY, MD, ’27
  • Kelsey Murray, New York Medical College, MD, ’27
  • Nataly Ortega Yaguachi, SUNY Upstate Medical University, MD, ’27
  • Alexa Rendon, New York Medical College, MD, ’26

One-Time Scholarship Recipients

  • Victor Aisogun, Albany Medical College, MD, ’27
  • Arielle Bernardin, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, MD, ’28
  • Kelly Centeno, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, MD, ’27
  • Fatoumata Diallo, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, MD, ’28
  • Shuma Easmin, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, MD, ’28
  • Stephanie Ezeoke, SUNY Upstate Medical University, MD, ’27
  • Estephanie Garcia, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, MD, ’28
  • Jordan Genece, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, MD, ’28
  • Atikul Miah, New York Medical College, MD, ’28
  • Kiana Nowlin, SUNY Upstate Medical University, MD, ’28
  • Yeashin Nur, New York Medical College, MD, ’28
  • Chiazam Nzeako, SUNY Upstate Medical University, MD, ’28
  • Doris, SUNY Upstate Medical University, MD, ’28
  • Uwaoma Okwu-Uwa, SUNY Upstate Medical University, MD, ’28
  • Ashley Padilla-Veras, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University ’28
  • Emilio Quevedo, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, MD, ’28
  • Jaheel Rowe, SUNY Upstate Medical University, MD, ’28
  • Emily Sattora, SUNY Upstate Medical University, MD, ’28
  • Leah Solomon, SUNY Upstate Medical University, MD, ’28
  • Stevie Tchako-Tchokouassi, SUNY Upstate Medical University, MD, ’28

About AMSNY

The Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY) is the consortium of the 17 public and private medical schools in New York State. AMSNY works in partnership with its members to advance biomedical research, diversity in medical schools and the physician workforce, and high quality and cost-efficient care. The combined total of New York’s medical schools economic impact equals more than $35 billion. For more information on AMSNY, please visit: www.amsny.org.