Highlights

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at University at Buffalo: Jacobs School Unveils Buffalo Primary Care Initiative

The Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo is introducing a new initiative to transform the health of Buffalo residents and reduce health care disparities by putting more primary care physicians on Buffalo’s East and West sides. “We are proud to propose the Buffalo Primary Care Initiative, a bold, local solution to the region’s physician shortage,” says Allison Brashear, MD, MBA, vice president for health sciences at UB and dean of the Jacobs School. Learn More

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University: Redefining Maternal Health Through Shared Power

In Brooklyn, a mother’s race can determine her chances of surviving childbirth, and the stakes are higher here than almost anywhere else in New York City. Over the past few years, Brooklyn has accounted for about a third of New York City’s pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated deaths (32.1 percent and 35.1 percent, respectively). In 2018, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene designated Central Brooklyn as a high-priority area after data showed the steepest risks for pregnancy complications were concentrated in East Flatbush and Brownsville, where 11 to 12 percent of women receive late or no prenatal care and 14 percent of births are preterm. Learn More

Medical Education

Weill Cornell Medicine: New Mobile Lung Cancer Screening Unit Launches to Improve Access to Care for New Yorkers

A state-of-the-art health screening van launched this month is bringing advanced imaging technology and health education directly to New Yorkers who are at the greatest risk of developing lung cancer. The initiative — a collaboration between Weill Cornell Imaging at NewYork-Presbyterian, the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine — is designed to make early lung cancer detection more accessible and equitable. Learn More

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine: Medicine Rooted in Compassion

“My life has become so much more colorful and vibrant since starting medical school,” says fourth-year College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) student Mereena Jolly. Fueled by a dedication to service, Jolly’s medical school journey reflects a deep commitment to becoming a compassionate physician. Jolly grew up in a religious family, learning about charity and sacrifice from her mother. Coupled with living in India from 4 to 14, where she witnessed healthcare disparities firsthand, she is instilled with a deep desire to serve others and impact not just individuals but also entire communities. Learn More

Albert Einstein College of Medicine: High School Students and Undergraduates Spent the Summer Doing Cancer Research

Twenty-three high school students and undergraduates spent the summer attending workshops and lectures and doing hands-on research in cancer laboratories under the mentorship of seasoned scientists, post-doctoral researchers, and medical and Ph.D. students at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. They were participants in the BEYOND ALBERT pathway program, designed to encourage young people from the Bronx to explore biomedical careers, and featured recently by WCBS. Learn More

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University: It’s Ether Day!

On October 16, 1846, a Boston surgeon placed an ether-soaked cloth over a patient’s face—and modern surgery began. Each year, World Anesthesia Day, also known as Ether Day, commemorates that moment. At Downstate, the anniversary holds special significance: our predecessor, Long Island College Hospital (LICH), played a pivotal role in establishing anesthesiology as a distinct medical discipline in the United States. This year’s Ether Day also marks the 120th anniversary of the Long Island Society of Anesthetists, founded at LICH on October 16, 1905. Learn More.

Student & Alumni News

Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell: Students, Mentors, Ambassadors Recognized at Medical Student Research Week

The ability to conduct research, demonstrating the mastery of analytical thinking, innovation, and evidence-based reasoning fundamental to the practice of medicine is an essential aspect of the medical education at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Each year, second-year students’ research is recognized during Medical Student Research Week, a series of events culminating in a reception honoring their achievements. The research findings entered this year were conducted last summer by over 90 students, including those from the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and others from outside the Northwell Health hospital system. They presented their findings at the 14th Annual Medical Student Research Week, held on Nov. 3-7. Awards were given for Summer Research Scholarships, Science Excellence in Mentorship and Mission Ambassador, recognizing outstanding contributions to research and mentorship. Learn More

New York Medical College: Class of 2029 Officially Dons Their White Coats for the First Time

The School of Medicine (SOM) Class of 2029 marked the first major milestone in their medical school journey at New York Medical College (NYMC) as they officially donned their white coats for the first time during the White Coat Ceremony on October 17 at the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College, State University of New York. The ceremony, now in its 29th year at NYMC, was initially established in 1993 at Columbia University by Arnold P. Gold, M.D., a world-renowned pediatric neurologist, to emphasize the importance of humanism in medicine, beginning at the start of medical school. Learn More

Albert Einstein College of Medicine: MSTP Student Noah Jacobs Helps Children with Disabilities Ride the Waves

Noah Jacobs grew up surfing off the coast of Los Angeles, realizing early on the mental and physical benefits the ocean had to offer. “Surfing is a great way to learn patience, reduce stress, build community, and figure out how to literally go with the flow even when life presents challenges,” said Noah. He never imagined his passion would be something he would share with kids in the Bronx. Learn More

Albany Medical College: Graduate Awarded 2025 Albany Prize for Identifying Hormone Leptin

The 2025 Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research has been awarded to Jeffrey M. Friedman, MD, PhD, whose discovery of the hormone leptin and its role in regulating food intake and body weight established a biological basis for obesity, has led to a life-saving treatment for people with the metabolic disorder lipodystrophy, and opened the era of molecular exploration in the field of obesity research. A 1977 graduate of Albany Medical College, Dr. Friedman is the Marilyn M. Simpson Professor in the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics at The Rockefeller University in New York City and an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Learn More

Awards, Grants & Recognition

Albany Medical College: Award Honors Efforts to Promote Physician Well-Being

Albany Medical Center has earned national distinction as a 2025 Joy in Medicine Organization from the American Medical Association (AMA). This prestigious recognition from the country’s leading physician association honors health care organizations for their efforts to reduce physician burnout and enhance professional fulfillment. Albany Medical Center earned bronze. The hospital is among 109 hospitals or medical groups in the United States and only nine in New York State to be recognized. Learn More

Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future – Zucker School of Medicine Celebrates Inaugural Alumni Award Winners

The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell hosted its inaugural Alumni Awards on October 11 to recognize the remarkable leadership, dedication, and impact of alumni who have gone above and beyond in their professions, their communities, and in supporting the Zucker School of Medicine. The evening also provided graduates the chance to reunite with fellow classmates as well as faculty and staff and relive memories from their time as students. Learn more.

Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University: Stony Brook University Hospital Emergency Department Awarded ACEP PACED Gold Accreditation

The Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) Emergency Department has been awarded the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Pain and Addiction Care in the ED (PACED) Gold level accreditation — the highest level of recognition from the organization. SBUH is the only emergency department in New York state to receive this Gold-level distinction. Learn More

Faculty News

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at University at Buffalo: Allison Brashear Elected to National Academy of Medicine

Allison Brashear, MD, MBA, vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine. Election to the academy, considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service. Learn More

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons: Michel Sadelain Elected to National Academy of Medicine

Michel W. Sadelain, director of the Columbia Initiative in Cell Engineering and Therapy and Herbert and Florence Irving Professor of Medicine, was elected this year to the National Academy of Medicine. Election to the Academy is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service. Learn More

Weill Cornell Medicine: Dr. J Mocco Appointed Chair of Neurological Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine and Neurosurgeon-in-Chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center

Dr. J Mocco, an esteemed physician-scientist who specializes in cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery, has been appointed chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine and neurosurgeon-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, effective Dec. 1. Dr. Mocco will lead a large team of neurosurgeons and other experts who specialize in diseases that affect the blood vessels in the brain, known as cerebrovascular disease; brain and spinal tumors; movement disorders; and other diseases of the brain, spine and nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal cord. Learn More

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons: Two VP&S Faculty Named HHMI Freeman Hrabrowski Scholars

Two VP&S faculty—Mustafa Aydogan and Vikram Gadagkar—have been selected as 2025 Freeman Hrabrowski Scholars by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). Freeman Hrabowski Scholars are outstanding early career faculty who have the potential to become leaders in their research fields and to create lab environments in which everyone can thrive. Scholars are appointed to a five-year term, with potential for a second five-year term. Learn More

Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University: Promotion of Alexandra Guillaume, M.D. to Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine

The Department of Medicine is pleased to announce the promotion of Alexandra Guillaume, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology to Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine in the Renaissance School of Medicine at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Dr. Guillaume graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine. She completed Internal Medicine residency at New York University Medical Center, a Nutrition Fellowship at Columbia University Medical Center and her GI Fellowship at Stony Brook University Hospital. Learn More

New York Medical College: 32nd Annual Faculty Author Celebration & Awards Highlights Faculty Excellence

New York Medical College (NYMC) honored the scholarly accomplishments of faculty at the 32nd Annual Faculty Author Celebration and Awards on October 23. Organized by the Phillip Capozzi, M.D., Library in collaboration with the Office of the Chancellor and the Office of the Vice President for Research, the event recognized 422 faculty authors whose academic works enriched the scientific and medical literature throughout 2024. Their collective achievements included 792 publications, 595 articles, 164 published conference abstracts, 3 authored and edited books, and 30 book chapters. Learn More