News from AMSNY

FY26 State Budget Delivers Big Wins for Biomedical Research, Medical Education, and Workforce Development

AMSNY is pleased to share that the newly enacted New York State FY26 Budget includes significant investments that strengthen the biomedical research ecosystem and expand access to medical education:

• $10 million reappropriated to NYFIRST, helping New York attract and retain world-class scientists and drive innovation in areas like cancer, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric research.

• $3.644 million for AMSNY Scholars in Medicine and Science programs, which will provide opportunities and support for more than 950 aspiring physicians.

• $1.25 million for the AMSNY Scholarship in Medicine will support 23 students by reducing financial barriers to medical school and will help build a physician workforce dedicated to serving communities across the state.

• $3.445 million for the Empire Clinical Research Investigator Program (ECRIP), ensuring NY teaching hospitals remain competitive for federal research funding.

• $8.5 million for New York State Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (NY SCIRP), supporting neurological spinal cord injury scientific research projects from leading New York State researchers to find a cure for spinal cord injuries.

• $750,000 for the Fellowship to Address Oral Health Disparities, supporting training for dentists serving patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

“These investments are vital not just for scientific innovation, but for job creation, health equity, and ensuring New Yorkers have access to the latest treatments and cures,” said AMSNY President & CEO Jonathan Teyan, “We thank Governor Hochul, her administration, and the NYS Assembly and Senate for their leadership and investment in the future of health and science.”

Colin Powell School’s Andrew Williams Named CCNY Salutatorian

Andrew Williams, a Queens native and the son of Jamaican immigrant parents, has been named Salutatorian of The City College of New York’s Class of 2025. A psychology major, Williams completed his Bachelor of Science degree summa cum laude through the Macaulay Honors Program at the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership. An AMSNY Scholarship in Medicine recipient and participant in the Pathways to Careers in Medicine & Research program—an AMSNY Scholars in Medicine and Science program—Williams distinguished himself throughout his undergraduate career with academic excellence and service. Learn more.

 

Highlights

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at University at Buffalo 

Join the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo and the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, in collaboration with the AAMC, from June 6-8, 2025, for a vital remembrance conference focused on building student and faculty leadership to tackle the epidemic of gun violence. This conference, hosted by two medical schools deeply affected by gun violence, invites teams of 3-4 students/residents and a faculty member from other institutions to share public health strategies. Engage with leading experts, collaborate with peers in focused sessions, connect with policymakers for advocacy, and participate in a community-centered afternoon with local partners. The event will also provide a space to reflect on lives lost, ensuring attendees leave empowered with actionable public health approaches to address gun violence. Learn more and register here.

Artificial Intelligence

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Provides Access to OpenAI’s ChatGPT Edu platform

In a national first for a medical school, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is providing all medical and graduate students, along with select faculty and staff members, access to OpenAI’s ChatGPT Edu private and secure platform. The move reflects Mount Sinai’s commitment to pursuing innovative approaches to education and research through collaborative learning and scholarly inquiry. The launch follows a formal agreement between Mount Sinai and OpenAI that safeguards personal health, student, and other sensitive information while delivering secure, accessible, and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to the Icahn Mount Sinai scholarly community. Learn more

Student News

Albert Einstein College of Medicine Celebrates Medical Student Research at Third Annual IMPact Day Event

Nearly 100 Albert Einstein College of Medicine students presented their research last month at the third annual IMPact Day celebrating excellence in scholarly work. The M.D. students displayed posters on clinical and translational research, health technology, and other scientific topics as part of Einstein’s Scholarly Impact and Research Program (SIRP). Their four-year Impact Course, which is part of SIRP, helps students develop research skills while working with faculty mentors on capstone projects. Learn more.

 

Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai Student Commits to a Career in Clinical Research

When the first of several waves of COVID-19 cases hit New York City, Nicole Simons, MA, had just landed her first big job out of school as a research coordinator at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. In a matter of days, her dream job was eliminated, along with the jobs of several colleagues. Then came the call from Human Resources: Could she take on a front-line job that would expose her to this unknown virus and clinics filled with COVID-19 patients? Her answer was a resounding yes. Learn more

Weill Cornell Medicine Ribbon Cutting for New Student Residence

As a third-year medical student, Stone Streeter cut his teeth during his medical education at Weill Cornell Medicine while living in the institution’s student housing—first at Olin Hall during his classroom instruction, then at Lasdon House for his clerkships. As he eyes his last year at Weill Cornell Medical College, he’s preparing for yet another move: to the Feil Family and Weill Family Residence Hall. Learn more 

 

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine Student Researches Cancer  Rachel Radigan has long had a passion for helping others, and combined with her love of science and anatomy, is pursuing a future career as a physician. After earning her Master of Public Health at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, she is now enrolled in the College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM), working toward a combined Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Master of Academic Medicine. Learn more

Commencement

New York Medical College: School of Medicine Class of 2027 Moves from Classroom to Clinic Members of the School of Medicine (SOM) Class of 2027 took their next steps to becoming physicians on April 11, marking their transition from the pre-clinical to clinical years of medical school during the annual Student Clinician Ceremony hosted by the New York Medical College (NYMC) Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society. During the ceremony, the students once again recited the oath that they crafted for their White Coat Ceremony when they embarked on their studies at NYMC. Learn more. Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University: From Passion to Practice – Inside Stony Brook’s Scholars for Medicine Program When Meenu Johnkutty arrived at Stony Brook University as a freshman, she already had a reserved seat at the Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM) waiting for her. She was one of just 10 students accepted into the university’s Scholars for Medicine program, an eight-year track that offers high-achieving high school seniors a direct path to an MD, with no separate medical school application required. Learn More NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine Celebrates 2025 Graduates The NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine celebrated its fourth graduating class on May 13th, awarding MD degrees to 23 students committed to advancing primary care. As the nation’s first tuition-free, three-year medical school focused on primary care, the Mineola-based institution aims to address critical physician shortages in underserved communities. The ceremony included remarks from keynote speaker Joseph R. Betancourt, MD, MPH, president of the Commonwealth Fund, a foundation dedicated to affordable quality health care, with students reciting the Hippocratic Oath under the guidance of Dean Dr. Gladys Ayala. Nine graduates matched with NYU Langone Health residencies, including Amanda Greco, the school’s first student to match to an internal medicine primary care track at NYU Langone’s Tisch Hospital. Graduates also presented plaques of appreciation to Kenneth and Elaine Langone in recognition of their dedication to the school’s mission.

Awards & Recognitions

New York Medical College Chapter of Building Next Generation of Academic Physicians Recognized with Chapter of the Year Award The New York Medical College (NYMC) chapter of Building the Next Generation of Academic Physicians (BNGAP) has been named the national recipient of the 2025 BNGAP Chapter of the Year Award in recognition of the hard work, passion, and collaboration of its members to positively impact academic medicine. The award was announced by BNGAP during their virtual national chapter meeting in March. Learn more. Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at University at Buffalo Named A Leading Public Medical School  The Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo has distinguished itself as one of the nation’s leading public medical schools, according to the 2025-26 America’s Best Graduate Schools guide by U.S. News & World Report. Released on April 8, this recognition highlights the school’s steadfast commitment to excellence in both primary care and research. Learn more.

Faculty News

Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University: Dr. Susan Lane Named ELAM Fellow Susan Lane, MD, MACP, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and Professor of Medicine in the Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM) at Stony Brook University, has been named to the 2025-26 Class of Fellows for the Hedwig van Amerigen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program. An initiative at Drexel University College of Medicine, the program is dedicated to preparing women for senior leadership roles in schools of medicine, dentistry, public health and pharmacy. Learn more New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine to Honor Leaders in Medicine at 2025 Commencement Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O., FACOFP, and Jill Wruble (D.O. ’87) will receive honorary degrees at New York Institute of Technology’s 64th commencement on Sunday, May 18, at the university’s Long Island campus. Both honorees are veterans and will receive a Doctor of Science (D. Sc.) for their pioneering and significant contributions to medicine. Learn more Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell: Zucker School of Medicine Celebrates 2024-2025 Teachers of the Year. The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell is proud to announce its 2024-2025 recipients of the “Distinguished Teacher of the Year” award, recognized campus-wide across Hofstra University. This year, students at the Zucker School of Medicine have chosen Joel N.H. Stern, PhD, MBA, professor of Science Education, Molecular Medicine, Neurology and Urology and Cary Buckner, MD, MBA, assistant professor of Neurology, as Teachers of the Year for the 2024-2025 academic term. Learn more Columbia University Irving Medical Center faculty members elected to prestigious medical honor societies  The Association of American Physicians  has elected four faculty:

• R. Graham Barr (Medicine, VP&S)
• Ana Navas-Acien (Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman)
• Aimee Payne (Dermatology, VP&S)
• Muredach Reilly (Medicine, VP&S)
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The American Society for Clinical Investigation elected two faculty of the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons:

• Elizabeth C. Verna (Surgery)
• Kelley Yan (Medicine)

Learn more Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at University at Buffalo Professor Chosen for Executive Leadership Fellowship Beth A. Smith, MD ’00, chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, has been chosen as a 2025-2026 fellow for the prestigious Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program. Hosted by Drexel University College of Medicine, this highly competitive, yearlong fellowship will build upon Smith’s outstanding leadership and dedication to advancing psychiatry by developing her executive leadership skills. Learn more Weill Cornell Medicine Names Dr. Sabine Ehrt Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology Dr. Sabine Ehrt, an internationally renowned leader in tuberculosis research, has been appointed chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Weill Cornell Medicine, effective July 1.The department, which is comprised of microbiologists and immunologists, focuses on the body’s interaction with microbes like viruses, bacteria and fungi, along with inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, with a focus on AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Learn more Zucker School of Medicine Faculty Member Appointed to the American Academy of Dermatology Board of Directors On Monday, April 1, 2025, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) announced the appointment of Alina G. Bridges, DO, FAAD, associate professor of Dermatology at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, to its Board of Directors. Dr. Bridges is widely recognized for her contributions to advancing diagnostic techniques for complex skin conditions. With her distinguished career in dermatopathology, she is positioned to play a key role in shaping policies, promoting dermatologic research, and enhancing medical education in dermatology as a member of the board of directors. Learn more. Albert Einstein College of Medicine: Ulrich Steidl, M.D., Ph.D., at Albert Einstein College of Medicine Elected to Association of American Physicians Ulrich Steidl, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chair of cell biology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and deputy director at the National Cancer Institute-designated Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, has been elected a member of the Association of American Physicians (AAP), a prestigious 140-year-old honorary society dedicated to advancing medical knowledge through basic and clinical science. Learn more  

More News

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine:  TouroCOM Middletown Celebrates 10th Anniversary Gala at West Hills Country Club From inspiring stories and shared memories to moments of recognition, Touro Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Middletown’s 10th Anniversary Gala at West Hills Country Club was a night to remember! The evening reflected the heart of what TouroCOM Middletown has built—a community dedicated to service, education, and opportunity.