Highlights

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine: Students Step In to Help Save a Life

Three students from the College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) and one from the School of Health Professions, along with Associate Professor of Family Medicine Matthew Heller (B.S. ’08, D.O. ’11), provided lifesaving medical care at The Beat Down 15, a mixed martial arts (MMA) and kickboxing event hosted in Wantagh, N.Y. What started as an effort to keep an eye out for anyone needing medical attention quickly turned into an all-hands-on-deck situation as a 19-year-old male athlete collapsed during the second round of a kickboxing bout. Learn more

CUNY School of Medicine: Receiving $3.25 Million Federal Grant to Expand Primary Care Pipeline

The City University of New York School of Medicine (CUNY School of Medicine) has received a $3.25 million, five-year grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through its Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program—an investment with both immediate and long-term implications for the health of communities across New York City. Each year, the funding will provide approximately half-tuition support for 28 deserving, low-income third- and fourth-year CUNY School of Medicine students. Learn more.

Medical Education

University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry: Naoko Takebe, MD, PhD, Joins Wilmot to Build Early-Phase Clinical Trials and Developmental Therapeutics

With more than 25 years of expertise in early-phase clinical research, Naoko Takebe is thrilled that she is “filling a gap” at University of Rochester Medicine and Wilmot Cancer Institute: She brings a plan to topple the widespread barriers that stall researchers from opening a special type of clinical trial — studies that offer experimental drugs to patients for the first time, under close observation and strict safety standards. Today, such trials are important for patients when the standard of care is no longer effective. Learn more.

Albany Medical College: Twenty-Year Partnership Transforms Lives Through Service, Learning, and Global Health

When a team of Albany Med Health System employees, physicians, alumni, and supporters sets out to climb Mount Kilimanjaro this fall, they will be celebrating more than a fundraising milestone. They will be honoring 20 years of partnership between Albany Med and Engeye, a nonprofit organization that empowers communities in rural Uganda through health care, education, and economic opportunity. Learn more

Albert Einstein College of Medicine: From Competitive Figure Skater to Physician – Dr. Natalie Tan’s Journey to Medicine

Now in her social pediatrics residency at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Dr. Natalie Tan, a nationally competitive figure skater, shares how Einstein empowered her to pursue excellence in medicine while continuing the passion that helped shape who she is. Along the way, she served her community through the Einstein Community Health Outreach (ECHO) Free Clinic, mentored high school students, and graduated with Distinction in Community-Engaged Service. Learn more.

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo: Jacobs School Jamaica Mission Hits Home for UB Student

It was last fall. Ray-Anna Rodney, now a senior biological sciences major in the College of Arts and Sciences, had just toured the anatomy lab in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. She was feeling inspired and excited about her dream of becoming a physician. Soon after, she learned about the Global Health Trip to Jamaica. Circled on the map was St. Thomas, the parish where Rodney grew up and spent the first 17 years of her life. “The moment felt almost surreal,” she said. Learn more.

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons: VIBRE PhD Programs Welcome First Students

The inaugural class of graduate students of the Vagelos Institute’s Biomedical Research Education (VIBRE) PhD Programs were welcomed with a series of events in August and September, including a reception attended by faculty and staff. The 62 new students span VIBRE’s three interconnected PhD programs—Neurobiology & Behavior, Biomedical Informatics, and the newly created Biomedical Life Sciences program. Learn more.

Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell: Students Put EMT Training to the Test

First-year students from the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, who have completed eight weeks of EMT training and the requirements for New York state certification, put their skills to the test at Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) Day at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy (NCFSA) on Sept. 25. Tending to “victims” of authentic simulated disaster scenarios, which included an active shooter, bus bombing, Long Island Rail Road train derailment, car accident and hazardous waste spill, the medical students encountered the level of intensity professional EMTs, police and firefighters experience. Learn more.

Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University: 136 Students Take the First Step Toward Becoming Physicians at RSOM White Coat Ceremony

The Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM) at Stony Brook University welcomed 136 first-year medical students into the profession during its annual White Coat Ceremony on August 28 at the Staller Center for the Arts. The ceremony marked an important milestone for the incoming Class of 2030, as students received and donned their white coats for the first time—a symbol of professionalism, responsibility, scientific excellence and compassionate patient care. Learn more

New York Medical College: Celebrating Opening of Newly Renovated Clinical Skills and Simulation Center

New York Medical College (NYMC) celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated Clinical Skills and Simulation Center (CSSC) on September 14, marking a significant expansion of the College’s hands-on clinical education capabilities. The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together NYMC leadership, faculty, staff, students, donors, alumni, and elected officials to recognize the completion of the project. Learn more

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine: Calm and Cool Under Pressure

Abigail Smurzynski, a third-year medical student at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM)—Harlem, has wanted to become a doctor since she was a little girl, an aspiration she attributes to an overarching sadness after the passing of her grandfather from stomach cancer. “Today, I don’t think he would have died from it. It’s a lot more preventable, and we have a lot more understanding. But it was one of those things that shaped our family and drove me to want to help others,” she recalls. Learn more

Albany Medical College: From the Lab to the Next Generation – Summer Program Inspires Future Scientists and Physicians

Seven undergraduate students recently completed 10 weeks of immersive biomedical research at Albany Medical College as part of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology’s Summer Research Program. “Through research, mentorship, and professional development, this program helps prepare the next generation of scientists and physicians,” said Assistant Professor Whitney Longmate, PhD, who co-directs the summer program with Professor Mike DiPersio, PhD. Learn more

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai: Partnering with Hasso Plattner Institute to Launch International Graduate Student Exchange Program to Advance Digital Health and AI Innovation

The program will provide graduate students from both institutions with opportunities to study, collaborate, and participate in leading-edge research projects focused on artificial intelligence (AI), digital health, biomedical informatics, and data-driven health care innovation. It will begin accepting applications in the fall of 2026. Learn more.

Faculty News

Weill Cornell Medicine: Dr. Geraldine McGinty Named Executive Vice Dean

Dr. Geraldine McGinty, an esteemed academic healthcare leader and radiologist, has been appointed executive vice dean of Weill Cornell Medicine, effective Sept. 8. In her new role, Dr. McGinty serves as a vital strategic advisor to Dean Robert A. Harrington, exercises delegated authority on key matters and represents the institution internally and externally on topics central to Weill Cornell’s academic, clinical and professional life. Learn more.

Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell: Dr. Sanjay Saint Appointed New Chair of Medicine

Sanjay Saint, MD, MPH, a renowned patient safety expert, has been appointed chair of medicine at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, where he will be named the endowed David J. Greene Professor of Medicine. Dr. Saint was previously vice chair of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Health System, chief of medicine at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System and taught at the University of Michigan, where he spent nearly 25 years as a tenured professor in the Department of Internal Medicine. Learn more

Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University: Dr. Yi-Hsueh Lu Joins the Department of Surgery’s Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

The Department of Surgery is pleased to welcome Dr. Yi-Hsueh Lu, MD, PhD; to our Stony Brook Medicine faculty. She will be treating patients in Surgery’s Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Lu, who received her MD from Stony Brook in 2019, recently completed a fellowship in Microsurgery and Advanced Breast Reconstruction at Northwell Health in July 2026. Learn more.

University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry: A Legacy of Teaching, Mentorship, and ‘Neurophilia’ – Ralph Józefowicz Honored

For generations of University of Rochester Medicine physicians, learning neurology meant learning from Ralph Józefowicz, MD. On Sept. 17-18, 2026, colleagues, former trainees, and friends gathered to celebrate Józefowicz’s remarkable career with a Festschrift—a special academic gathering honoring the contributions and legacy of a distinguished scholar and teacher. Learn more.

More News

Weill Cornell Medicine: Receiving $3 Million to Launch Research Center Focused on HIV’s Effects on the Brain

Weill Cornell Medicine and Rutgers Health in New Brunswick have received a four-year, $3 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to build the infrastructure and resources that will accelerate discoveries about HIV-associated brain injury. The New York-New Jersey Center for Actionable NeuroHIV Biomarkers (NYJ-CAN-BIO) will provide the expertise, training and latest technologies needed to understand how HIV impacts the brain. Learn more.

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons: CUIMC’s Science Zone Champions the Young and the Curious

For three hours on September 17th, Haven Plaza was filled with over one thousand local schoolchildren who came to learn, experience, and enjoy science. It was CUIMC’s third annual Curious Minds Science Zone, and if smiles and cheers were any indication, it was a resounding success. Learn more.

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo: Gun Violence Conference Delivers Messages of Hope, Prevention and Resilience

More than 100 scholars, students, social workers, health care providers, law enforcement representatives, educators and activists from Buffalo and across the country gathered at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Sept. 11-12 for Rise, Respond and Rebuild: Healing Communities by Ending Gun Violence. Learn more.

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai: Mount Sinai Health System Hospitals Recognized Among World’s Best and No. 1 in Newsweek/Statista Rankings

Mount Sinai Health System hospitals continue to earn top marks for excellence in care, according to new rankings released by Newsweek/Statista. For the seventh straight year, The Mount Sinai Hospital held the top spot in cardiology for both New York State and New York City in the “World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2027” rankings. Learn more.