The medical community has been front and center ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Frontline workers have been the subject of nightly applause and regular praise and have generally been seen as a comforting presence during a time of extreme uncertainty. Now, it seems, more people want to join their ranks. Learn more.

 

Life in the United States is the dream of many around the world—particularly for those who have suffered persecution or injustice in their countries of origin. Since 2015, Albany Medical College student volunteers have dedicated their time to assisting asylum seekers with critical health care services. Earlier this month, students were recognized for their efforts with The Legal Project’s Champion Award, which honors “those who have made a tremendous difference in supporting the work of The Legal Project and promoting the goal of access to justice for all.” Learn more.

 

“I did not have any physician in my immediate family, but in fifth grade, when we had to memorize all the bones in the human body, I became interested in medicine and decided I wanted to be a doctor,” says Alan Gingold (D.O. ’00). Gingold, a gastroenterologist, was drawn to the specialty because of his interest in doing procedures. He found that the classes he took at New York Institute of Technology worked well with his hands-on approach, training, and preparedness. Learn more.

 

Alissa Belzie, MS1 in the College of Medicine, has been accepted into the Class of 2020 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring Program! This impressive and competitive honor is bestowed on a select group of medical students who exhibit exemplary medical scholarship.The program is designed to enhance diversity and inclusion in opthalmology, particularly among underrepresented groups. Students are supported throughout the ophthalmology residency application process. Learn more.

 

The New York Medical College School of Medicine (SOM) Class of 2024 marked a traditional milestone on their journey to becoming physicians at the White Coat Ceremony on November 29, when they officially donned their white coats for the first time and took an oath they had developed as a class, which included a commitment to compassionate patient care and inclusivity. Though the event this year was held mostly virtually, the SOM Office of Student Affairs went above and beyond to inject some normalcy into the event by holding ten separate, small and physically distant, gatherings during the month prior at which students could don their white coats in person and recite their oath as a group. Learn more.

 

The Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University and the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell virtually hosted the third National Medical-Legal Trial Competition, the only mock-trial competition in the country in which a medical school and a law school collaborate to simulate real-life expert testimony by doctors, on November 6-8, 2020. The event came to a spirited litigation finale as Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, last year’s winning team, once again captured first place. Learn more.

 

The “first wave” may be behind us, but New Yorkers are steeling themselves as the coronavirus resurgence hits. When the pandemic swept NYC in the spring, Dr. Michael Erickson, TouroCOM Harlem ‘15 and Chief General Surgery Resident at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway, Queens, had completed a fellowship in surgical critical care/burns and was spending his time doing surgeries. St. John’s was the first hospital in the borough with a positive COVID-19 patient, and was hit hard. Learn more.

 

The University at Buffalo has donated more than 200 reusable 3D-printed face masks and 100 face shields to the Buffalo City Mission for distribution to its clients and staff. Delivered to the Buffalo City Mission’s Alfiero Family Center of Hope and Promise by UB faculty, the masks and face shields were created by UB’s 3D printing group, which formed at the start of the pandemic as a partnership among faculty, staff and students in the School of Dental Medicine, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Learn more.

 

During a holiday season like no other, some will visit friends and family with the intention of sharing the joy and good cheer that was missed throughout much of 2020. However, as a New York Institute of Technology public health expert explains, they could also inadvertently spread COVID-19. “As of December 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported more than 13.4 million cases of COVID-19 and over 267,000 deaths in the United States since the start of the pandemic,” says Brian Harper, M.D., vice president for equity and inclusion and chief medical officer of New York Tech’s Academic Health Centers. Learn more.

 

Jedan Phillips, MD, Associate Professor of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, has been named Associate Dean for Minority Student Affairs. Appointed by Kenneth Kaushansky, MD, Senior Vice President for the Health Sciences and Dean of the Renaissance School of Medicine, Dr. Phillips will work in this capacity to help students achieve their career goals. Learn more.

 

In keeping with its deep roots and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, New York Medical College (NYMC) is proud to announce the appointment of Mill Etienne, M.D. ’02, M.P.H. FAAN, FAES, associate dean of student affairs and associate professor of neurology and of medicine in the School of Medicine, to the college-wide position of vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion, effective immediately. In this new role, Dr. Etienne will work to enhance the diversity of the entire NYMC and Touro College of Dental Medicine community by promoting equity and inclusion in all aspects of teaching, student life, faculty recruitment, clinical practice, and research. Learn more.

 

The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU) hosted the ”SUNY Distinguished Academy Week: Living Well Will Help Protect You From Disease” and featured two Downstate College of Medicine Faculty members— Richard M. Rosenfeld, M.D., MPH, MBA, Distinguished Professor and Chairman of Otolaryngology, CEO of the University Physicians of Brooklyn ENT Faculty Practice, and Chair of the SUNY Downstate Committee for Plant-based Health and Nutrition; and Todd Sacktor, M.D., Distinguished Professor of Physiology and Pharmacology and of Neurology— in their audio series the Academic Minute. Learn more.

 

The CUNY School of Medicine (CSOM) is honored to announce the establishment of the Dorothy and Max Bendich Student Research Fellowship honoring the parents of City College of New York graduate, Dr. David Bendich. The Fellowship will be awarded to students showing an interest in science education and clinical research. Each awardee will receive $3,000 per semester for expenses the students incur while participating in their assigned research. Learn more.

 

Students from Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s chapter of the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) connected with peers during a virtual fiesta, heard inspiring messages from Latinx physicians who came before them, and engaged in advocacy activities during Hispanic Heritage Month. Cristian Escalera, a second-year medical student and LMSA board member, helped organize Einstein’s Hispanic Heritage MonthCristian Escalera, a second-year medical student and LMSA board member, helped organize Einstein’s Hispanic Heritage Month. Learn more.

 

On November 12, 2020, the Zucker School of Medicine hosted its fifth annual Diversity Night. Supported by the Office of Student Affairs and the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, in conjunction with many of the school’s student organizations, this event celebrates the varied backgrounds of the School of Medicine community members. This year’s Diversity Night was celebrated virtually. Learn more.

 

Each fall the Crown Awards Gala brings together our partners in philanthropy and raises vital funds to support the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and advance our health care mission. This year’s program celebrated all of our front line heroes—the physicians, researchers, staff, students, and trainees—who have responded so valiantly to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more.

 

The Mount Sinai Hospital is included in a new ranking from Newsweek of the best specialized hospitals in the world. The digestive diseases-gastroenterology service line at The Mount Sinai Hospital was ranked No. 2 in the world, behind Mayo Clinic, and Mount Sinai Heart was ranked No. 5 in cardiology, behind Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital. The Mount Sinai Hospital was ranked No. 19 in neurology, No. 26 in oncology, and No. 44 in endocrinology. Learn more.

 

If you know any doctors—we mean, know them well—you know the deep, dark secret hiding under their lab coats: They’re human. “Doctors are not really known to take care of themselves as much as they should!” admits Dr. Thomas Jeneby, a plastic surgeon from Texas. “We suffer more depression, burnout, long hours, heart attacks, strokes and general breakdown. But, there are some perks!” Learn more.

 

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that the agency had approved a waiver allowing Mount Sinai Health System to enroll a broader group of Medicare patients into its Hospitalization at Home program. The move is a game changer as hospitals in New York City brace for a continued increase in COVID-19 cases. Learn more.