Highlights

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine: A Match Made in Medicine

When he was a pre-med student at SUNY Binghamton four years ago, Matthew Chiffy—today a second-year student at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Middletown—was walking downtown when he noticed a sign for Red Cross blood donation at the nearby American Legion Hall. He made his way there and signed up to give blood. Before leaving though, he also joined the bone marrow registry of Gift of Life, a non-profit organization. Learn More

Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai: Fostering Connections and Collaborations with AI Grand Rounds

To foster better awareness and collaboration of AI efforts, the Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health (AIHH) at Mount Sinai established its monthly Grand Rounds—sessions for faculty, trainees, and staff to share ideas, learn about cutting-edge developments, and explore how AI and data science are transforming research and clinical care. Learn More

Medical Education

Weill Cornell Medicine: Newly Minted Medical Students Learn First Responder Skills in Course Created After 9/11

A group of first-year Weill Cornell medical students walk into a dimly lit room and see a person lying on the floor with alcohol and pill bottles nearby. After calling 911, they assess the situation and decide to administer naloxone, a medication to reverse an opioid overdose. The woman starts to wake up. “What happened?” she asked, her voice filled with confusion and fear. A student kneeling next to her introduces himself and assures her help is on the way. Learn More

Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University: Youth Summit Inspires Students to See Themselves in Healthcare

The call for a more diverse healthcare workforce often feels urgent, but at Stony Brook University’s Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM), it sounded personal as hundreds of young people met physicians, medical students and health professionals at the third annual Renaissance School of Medicine Youth Summit. Held in collaboration with the Stony Brook Black Men in White Coats chapter, the November 13 event drew more than 500 third through twelfth grade students from Long Island and New York City who spent the day exploring careers in medicine, learning new skills and seeing role models who once stood where they stand now. Learn More

Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell: A Celebration of Cultural Expression and Competency

The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell held its 10th annual Diversity Night on Thursday, November 13, 2025, titled “A Living Mosaic.” The event, organized in collaboration with several student organizations and supported by the Offices of Engagement and Excellence and Student Affairs, demonstrated the Zucker School of Medicine’s strong commitment to celebrating equity and inclusion, both cornerstone values of the institution. Nearly 150 students, faculty, staff, and guests came together to honor the rich cultural backgrounds within the Zucker School of Medicine community and to deepen their understanding of one another’s traditions. Learn More

New York Medical College: Medical Volunteers Go the Distance at NYC Marathon

Along the sidelines of the New York City Marathon are not only the friends and families cheering on the more than 50,000 runners, but also thousands of medical volunteers prepared to assist at a moment’s notice. New York Medical College students and faculty were among the medical volunteers stationed at the various mile markers on November 2. For students, participation in one of the world’s major marathons provides a unique educational experience, allowing them to observe sports-related injuries firsthand within a dynamic, nontraditional clinical setting. Learn More

Student & Alumni News

Albert Einstein College of Medicine: Students and Postdocs Flex #ScienceStrong Muscles

Two Ph.D. students and two postdoctoral fellows at Albert Einstein College of Medicine were honored for their research posters at the fifth annual #ScienceStrong celebration on November 5. “The students’ and postdocs’ posters demonstrate the significant depth and breadth of scientific investigation at Einstein,” said Anne Bresnick, Ph.D. ’91, professor of molecular pharmacology and of biochemistry, associate dean for postdoctoral affairs, and director of the Belfer Institute for Advanced Biomedical Studies. “We’re proud to showcase their considerable talents and contributions to our research community.” Learn More

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo: Recurrent Pericarditis Hasn’t Slowed Down Med Student Ian Wax

On a spring day in 2022, Ian Wax went for a run, just as he had hundreds of times before. Living in New York City at the time, he ran for miles through the streets, getting in some exercise before visiting his parents who lived just outside of the city. Shortly after he arrived at their home a couple of days later, Wax, now a third-year medical student at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, started feeling unwell. He was fatigued, had a fever, and then started experiencing chest pain. He had been running just days ago; now he couldn’t go up a flight of stairs. Learn More

Albert Einstein College of Medicine: Students Help Distribute Fresh Thanksgiving Produce to 1,000 Local Families

The spirit of community was palpable at Einstein the morning of November 24 as dozens of medical students, along with faculty and staff, gathered to fill bags with fresh, healthy produce for local families. Supplied by family-owned Westchester Produce, a total of 10,000 pounds of carrots, plantains, potatoes, zucchini, onions, and more were prepared for pickup by 18 partner organizations. The students also created a postcard linking to a website they created which detailed the nutrition facts of the produce provided, healthy Thanksgiving recipe ideas, and guidance on where to find reputable nutrition and health information. Learn More

University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry Student Spotlight: Emma Strawderman

Emma Strawderman, an MD/PhD candidate in the Medical Science Training Program, works in the Program for Translational Brain Mapping. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Rochester, majoring in Brain and Cognitive Science with minors in Biology and Statistics. Her research investigates how the most common type of brain tumor in adults can rewire the brain as it grows and integrates into neural circuits. Learn More

Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell: Dr Danielle Llanos — Rooted in Connection 

Dr. Danielle Llanos is a graduate of the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and a practicing physician located in California, who continues to find new ways to grow her skills and become a better doctor. After earning her board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), she was surprised to see a familiar name on her certification—Robert O. Roswell, MD, FACC, FACP, associate dean for Engagement and Excellence and professor of Cardiology and Science Education at the Zucker School of Medicine—who, as Chair of the ABIM Board of Directors, had signed it. Learn More

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine: A Lasting Impression

A serious case of viral meningitis propelled Chris Kyriakides (D.O. ’89) into the field of osteopathic medicine. He was studying at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey at the time but had to step away due to his illness. “I was very sick; I was aphasic,” he recalls. “I had several D.O.s who helped me get better, and that turned me on to it.” Once he recovered, Kyriakides entered the College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM). Learn More

Awards, Grants & Recognition

Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai: Roxana Mehran, MD, Receives Most Prestigious Award From American Heart Association’s Council on Clinical Cardiology

The American Heart Association’s Council on Clinical Cardiology has selected Roxana Mehran, MD, Director of Interventional Cardiovascular Research and Clinical Trials at the Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, as the recipient of its 2025 Laennec Master Clinician Award. This is one of the most prestigious honors in the field of cardiology and recognizes Dr. Mehran’s individual lifetime achievements in patient care and cardiology education. She was presented with this award during a special ceremony at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in New Orleans on Saturday, November 8. Learn More

Faculty News

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University: Downstate Charts a Responsible Path for AI in Medicine

Enitza George, M.D., MBA, MSAI, Chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine and Chief Population Health Officer, was an invited panelist at Becker’s Hospital Review’s national webinar, “Proactive, Personalized, Preventive: Redefining Value in Precision Medicine.” The 60-minute discussion brought together healthcare leaders to examine how artificial intelligence (AI) and precision medicine are transforming care from a reactive to a proactive, predictive, and preventive model. Learn More

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons: Emile Bacha, MD, Appointed Chair of Surgery

Cardiac surgeon Emile Bacha, MD, has been appointed the next chair of the Department of Surgery at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Surgeon-in-Chief of NewYork-Presbyterian, effective January 1, 2026. Dr. Bacha, the Roth Salzhauer Family Professor of Surgery at Columbia’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, will take over for Craig Smith, MD, who announced earlier this year he’d be stepping down from the role after an exceptional 15-year tenure as chair. Learn More

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo: Mastrandrea Elected to American Pediatric Society

Lucy D. Mastrandrea, MD, PhD, professor of pediatrics in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, has been elected to membership in the American Pediatric Society. Mastrandrea is one of 92 new APS members announced Nov. 11. They will be formally recognized at the APS Howland Gala, held during the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2026 Meeting in Boston in April. Learn More

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University: New Leadership at the American Society of Black Neurosurgeons

Congratulations to Ernest J. Barthélemy, M.D., MPH, MA, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Neurology, and Public Health at Downstate, and Director of Acute Care Neurosurgery at One Brooklyn Health/Brookdale University Hospital. Dr. Barthélemy was formally installed last month as President of the American Society of Black Neurosurgeons (ASBN), marking a significant milestone for him and a great moment of pride for Downstate. Dr. Barthélemy’s appointment brings well-deserved visibility to Downstate’s Global Neurosurgery Research Program and to the broader clinical neuroscience work taking place in Brooklyn. Learn More

New York Medical College: Roger Chirurgi, M.D., Appointed to Lead Department of Emergency Medicine

Roger Chirurgi, M.D., FACEP, has been appointed as the chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at New York Medical College (NYMC).  Dr. Chirurgi joined NYMC in 2007 and has led the NYMC-sponsored Emergency Medicine Residency Program at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan, a major clinical affiliate of NYMC, for the past 15 years. Learn More

Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University: Stony Brook Medicine Names Dr. Allison McLarty as Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Allison McLarty has been appointed Stony Brook Medicine’s next Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. After serving for more than a year as the Interim Chief, she will officially take over the role effective Monday, November 17, 2025.  Dr. McLarty has been a member of the Cardiothoracic Surgery faculty at Stony Brook Medicine since 1997. She is a Clinical Professor of Surgery at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University and serves as the Chief of Surgery at the Northport VA Medical Center. Learn More

More News

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons: Veterans Across CUIMC Share Memories and Lessons

From the Revolutionary War to today, physicians, nurses, researchers, students, and staff of Columbia University Irving Medical Center have served in the nation’s military. In honor of Veterans Day, we spoke with 8 CUIMC veterans about their service and its impact on their lives. Learn More