Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons: Student-Run Free Clinic Celebrates Major Milestone

This year Columbia Student Medical Outreach (CoSMO) is celebrating a major milestone—20 years operating as a free clinic serving uninsured patients in Washington Heights and Northern Harlem. The first and largest student-run free clinic at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, CoSMO is a team effort, staffed by volunteer medical and physical therapy students and faculty from VP&S, and students from the School of Social Work, Mailman School of Public Health, and School of Nursing. Learn more.

New York Medical College Introduces New Area of Concentration to Close the Gap in Quality Improvement Education for Tomorrow’s Doctors

Quality of care has become an increasingly central role in healthcare delivery. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid are now tying reimbursements to quality of care, and the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education requires residents to engage in quality improvement (QI) projects, with defined milestones for QI competency throughout residency. Learn more.

Weill Cornell Medicine: Brooks School, Weill Cornell Medicine Launch Center to Improve Health Policy

Weill Cornell Medicine and the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy have established the Cornell Health Policy Center to serve as the locus for health policy impact, research and training across Cornell. The center connects health policy researchers across Cornell’s campuses to help shape effective health policy at the federal, state and local levels. Learn more.

University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry: Residents Experience the Breadth and Depth of the Urology Field Through Unique Training Programs

Residents in the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Urology program gain invaluable clinical and research experience through the department’s unique training curricula. The focus is to find the best ways to educate the next generation of urologists. Learn more.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine: Building a Bridge from Nursing to Medical School

Scott Suchin, M.D. ’99, R.N., wants to help nurses who would like to go to medical school. “I’ve long felt that if more nurses became physicians, healthcare as a whole would be better,” says Dr. Suchin, a gastroenterologist at Montefiore Medical Center. “Nurses bring a more-holistic approach to care that can make them exceptional doctors.” Learn more.

New York Medical College Students Shape the Future of Medicine Through Research Excellence  

The remarkable research success of SOM students was on full display on December 13 when more than 100 students showcased their projects in poster and oral presentations during the annual Medical Student Research Forum. The Medical Education Center and Basic Sciences Building were bustling as students discussed their research findings on a wide array of topics. Learn more.

Weill Cornell Medicine: Multi-Disciplinary Program Hones Biomedical Commercialization Skills for Early-Career Scientists, Clinicians and Business Students

Accelerating BioVenture Innovation (ABI) program Dec. 5 graduated another cohort with its signature pitch finale in Uris Auditorium and a networking reception. The ABI course is one of the anchor programs developed by BioVenture eLab to create a culture and environment of entrepreneurial thinking, as well as resources and industry professionals to spin out companies from Weill Cornell Medicine. Learn more.

Student and Alumni News

Zucker School of Medicine Celebrates “The Roots That Make Us Stronger” During 2024 Diversity Night

Nearly 150 students, faculty, staff, and their guests participated in the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell’s ninth annual Diversity Night festivities on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.  The event, titled “The Roots That Make Us Stronger,” celebrates the varied backgrounds and cultures of Zucker School of Medicine community members. Learn more.

CUNY School of Medicine Kicks Off New Year by Celebrating the Diversity and Promise of PA Students

The CUNY School of Medicine kicked off 2025 with two milestone events, both celebrating the legendary MS in Physician Assistant Studies Program and the School’s commitment to diversity, inclusive excellence, and healthcare equity. On Tuesday, Jan. 8, the PA Class of 2025 officially joined the profession with a milestone Commencement Ceremony, followed on Wednesday, Jan. 9, with the PA Class of 2027’s introduction to the field through a time-honored White Coat Ceremony. Learn more.

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Lab Coat Ceremony: Instilling the Rigors and Responsibility of Science in PhD and MD-PhD Students

Neil Dhawan, PhD, had a story to share with the audience of new PhD and MD-PhD students who attended the 2024 Lab Coat ceremony at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Graduate School Biomedical Sciences. He was on familiar ground: Dr. Dhawan received both a master of science and PhD degree in biomedical sciences at Mount Sinai, and his story was one of encouragement and success. Learn more.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine Students Deliver a Cornucopia of Health

This year for the first time, students at Albert Einstein College of Medicine did not need to leave campus to volunteer in Montefiore Einstein’s annual Healthy Holiday Initiative, a massive effort that provides fresh, seasonal, and culturally relevant produce free to members of our community. One weekday morning shortly before Thanksgiving, dozens of volunteers—mostly first-year medical students—came to Lubin Dining Hall to fill 500 bags assembly-line style. Learn more.

Awards and Grants

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at University at Buffalo: Fellow Mahmoud Nassar Honored at ACG Annual Meeting

Mahmoud Nassar, MD, PhD, a trainee in the endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism fellowship program at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, received several prestigious outstanding research awards at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2024 annual meeting. Learn more.

Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University’s Sritha Rajupet Named AMIA Fellow

Sritha Rajupet, chair of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine at the Stony Brook Renaissance School of Medicine, was awarded by her peers the designation of Fellow of AMIA (American Medical Informatics Association), or FAMIA. Rajupet will be honored along with 87 FAMIA recipients for her contributions to informatics and AMIA at the AMIA 2025 Clinical Informatics Conference in May 2025, where she will be formally inducted into the Fellowship of AMIA. Learn more.

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at University at Buffalo: Peter Elkin Serves on FDA AI Panel

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says there are more than 900 artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning-enabled medical devices on the market in the U.S. But as is often the case with technological innovation, the regulatory infrastructure for such devices is still forming. Learn more.

Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University: SBUH and SBSH Both Earn Top Grade for Hospital Safety

Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) and Stony Brook Southampton Hospital (SBSH) have both earned an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade for Fall 2024 from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns letter grades to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them. Learn more.

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine: Harlem Community Leaders Gather at Fundraiser to Celebrate And Support Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine

Over 100 Harlem community leaders, alumni and faculty gathered at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) Harlem on December 12 to celebrate nearly two decades of partnership. The evening honored distinguished individuals and highlighted the collective commitment to educating underrepresented students and improving healthcare in the community. Learn more.

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine: OMM Lab Rededication Ceremony Honors NYITCOM Founder

On December 6, the College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) celebrated the grand reopening and rededication of the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Lab (OMM Lab) located in the Hannah and Charles Serota Academic Center on the Long Island campus. Opened in 2000, the lab is rededicated to the legacy of Stanley Schiowitz, D.O., founder, chairman, and dean of NYITCOM. Learn more.

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai: Levy Library Celebrates 50 Years of Supporting Learners

The Levy Library at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has gone through many revamps and reiterations, but one thing remains the same—its steadfast mission of helping students, researchers, faculty, staff, and clinicians get the knowledge and information they need. November 2024 marked the 50th anniversary of the library, and for some staff, looking back at how it has grown is a source of pride. Learn more.

Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell: From Podcast to Life-Saving Treatment: Well Said Marks 5 Years of Impact

When Margaret Wilson, an interior designer from Bedford, NY, began experiencing crippling symptoms, tuning into the podcast “Well Said with Dr. Ira Nash” proved to be life-changing. Hearing guest Dr. Daniel Sciubba discuss spinal tumors, Wilson recognized her own symptoms and sought help, ultimately leading to life-saving treatment. Learn more.

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Faculty Club Hosts First Community Hour

Around 100 CUIMC employees attended the medical center’s first Community Hour, hosted last month by the Faculty Club, which provides on-campus dining, catering, and event services. The event was designed to enhance community building and create an opportunity to connect and relax with colleagues in a casual and fun environment. Learn more.