Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons: Roy and Diana Vagelos Make Historic Gift to Biomedical Science Research and Education

Columbia University announced a new $400 million gift from Roy and Diana Vagelos, which will secure Columbia’s leadership in biomedical science research and education and produce a vast array of compelling opportunities for improving society’s health and wellbeing. The gift is the single largest ever made to Columbia’s medical school and, taken together with their previous giving, establishes Roy and Diana as the most generous donors in the history of Columbia University. Learn more.

State Health Department Announces $432,000 in Additional Funding to Upstate’s Norton College of Medicine to Expand Physician Diversity

The New York State Department of Health announced $432,000 for three Diversity in Medicine programs at Upstate Medical University’s Norton College of Medicine. Additionally, 15 medical school students will receive scholarships this year to cover most of their tuition in exchange for a commitment to practice in underserved areas in New York. Learn more.

Student News

New York Medical College: Identical Twins Esther and Elisheva Miller Share a Dream in Medicine

Medical school can be daunting but going through it with a sibling, especially an identical twin, can make the process more manageable and even enjoyable. Esther Miller and Elisheva Miller, School of Medicine Class of 2028, have shared many milestones, and now they are embarking on their first year together at New York Medical College. Learn more.

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine: Coming Full Circle: Jana Elkashef’s Path from MedAchieve to TouroCOM

Jana Elkashef, a student at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Master of Science program, is one of the first graduates of TouroCOM’s award-winning MedAchieve STEM program for high school students to return to Touro to pursue a career in medicine. After obtaining her M.S. next spring she plans to apply to TouroCOM’s DO program. Below she shares her journey to date. Learn more.

Class of 2028

Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell Kicks Off Orientation for the Class of 2028

On Monday, July 29, 2024, the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell kicked off Orientation Week, welcoming the Class of 2028. Orientation Week is a significant milestone for the diverse and exciting group of future doctors, providing these first-year medical students with an opportunity to make new friends, familiarize themselves with the school’s many facilities, and meet faculty, administrators, and staff before their first day of class on August 5, 2024, where they will begin their training to become certified emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Learn more.

Weill Cornell Medicine White Coat Ceremony Welcomes Class of 2028

Anisah Alladeen’s path to joining Weill Cornell Medical College’s Class of 2028 was almost 10 years in the making.  Growing up in a Guyanese household in Queens, Alladeen witnessed firsthand the challenges immigrant communities face navigating the health care system. She often found herself encouraging her family and community members to seek timely medical treatment, helping to manage doctor’s appointments and ensure their access to quality care. Learn more.

University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry: A Fitting Start to a Medical Career: A New White Coat

The longest journey begins with a single step, but for first-year students at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, their path toward becoming physicians began with the single, symbolic act of donning a white coat. A simple bit of attire that means so much. The 102 members of SMD’s Class of 2028 celebrated the start of their medical careers at the 19th annual Robert L. & Lillian H. Brent White Coat Ceremony on Aug. 16. Learn more.

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine: Motivated by Tragedy, Faith, and Hope TouroCOM Harlem’s Class of 2028 Begin Medical School

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine-Harlem welcomed its seventeenth class with a festive White Coat Ceremony and a week-long orientation to introduce the students to the rigors of medical school. The week was filled with lectures from professors, a tour of Harlem and a festive BBQ. We caught up with eight members of the class of 2028 and asked them about their journeys to medical school. Learn more.

Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University: Getting a Look at Future MDs

At the Renaissance School of Medicine’s (RSOM) White Coat Ceremony, 136 incoming students officially began their medical school training by taking the Hippocratic Oath and wearing their physician “white coats” for the first time. Held at Stony Brook University’s Staller Center on August 9, the annual ceremony brings students, their families, and faculty together as the academic year begins. The RSOM has held a White Coat Ceremony since 1998. Learn more.

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine: Coating the Class of 2028

Approximately 400 future physicians received white coats at the College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (NYITCOM) annual White Coat Ceremonies on Long Island, N.Y., and in Jonesboro, Ark., annual events symbolizing the beginning of students’ medical education journey. The white coat has served as a symbol of healing and trust since the late 1800s, reminding physicians to embody the empathy and service they have pledged to their patients. Learn more.

CUNY School of Medicine: From Caps and Gowns to White Coats: CUNY Medicine’s MD Class of 2028 Begins Training as Student Doctors

Fifty-eight CUNY Medicine students walked into a special ceremony wearing caps and gowns for their BS in Biomedical Science commencement, and exited dressed in their first White Coats as the MD Class of 2028. Among them, 87% are first-generation immigrants, 71% are the first in their families to attend medical school, and 22% are the first to attend college. Collectively, they speak 21 different languages, reflecting the diverse community of CUNY Medicine and New York City. Learn more.

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons White Coat Ceremony Welcomes New Medical Students

The 139 members of the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Class of 2028 gathered on Aug. 9 in Alumni Auditorium for the White Coat Ceremony, an annual event at which Columbia’s incoming medical students are welcomed into the profession and cloaked in white coats by faculty members. Learn more.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine Welcomes New Students

Albert Einstein College of Medicine welcomed 165 new medical students to campus in August, introducing them to the Bronx, stressing the importance of their own health and wellness, and reminding them of the physician’s vital role in compassionate care and advancing health equity. “Medicine is not only a profession but also a calling,” said Yaron Tomer, M.D., the Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean at Einstein and chief academic officer at Montefiore Einstein. Learn more.

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at University at Buffalo Names Joyner New Chair of Pediatrics

Benny L. Joyner, Jr., MD, professor, chief of the division of pediatric critical care medicine and vice chair of clinical operations for the Department of Pediatrics in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine has been appointed the A. Conger Goodyear Professor and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, effective Jan. 6, 2025. Learn more.

Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell: Humans of Zucker: Gilbert Tagufa, MD

Dr. Gilbert Tagufa is a man of many journeys, from his roots in Uniondale, NY, to his current life in Quezon City, Philippines, Dr. Tagufa’s path in medicine has been defined by his passion for learning and commitment to mentorship. Beginning his medical journey as a Medical Scholars Pipeline Program (MSPP) student from 2009-2013 to graduating as a first-generation Filipino-American and valedictorian of his medical school class at the Manila Central University College of Medicine in the Philippines in 2024, Dr. Tagufa exemplifies that hard work pays off and that dreams come true. Learn more.

Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University: Nationally Recognized Neurocritical Care Expert Named Chair of Emergency Medicine

Imoigele (Imo) Aisiku, MD, MSCR, MBA, FACCP, has been named Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM) at Stony Brook University. Appointed by Peter Igarashi, MD, Knapp Dean of the RSOM, Dr. Aisiku is a physician scientist, pioneer and national leader whose area of focus is on critical care and neurocritical care within emergency medicine. His appointment begins on August 15. Learn more.

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at University at Buffalo Names Parker New Chair of Anesthesiology

Brian M. Parker, MD, chief quality and learning officer at Allegheny Health Network, has been named chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, effective Oct. 1. He will also serve as senior associate dean for clinical affairs in the Jacobs School and chief medical officer for UBMD Physicians’ Group, the school’s practice plan. Learn more.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine: Celebrating 60 Years of Training Physician-Scientists

Opeyemi Olabisi, M.D., Ph.D. ’09, says he sought work in a neuropharmacology lab to better his chances of getting into medical school. But using rat models to learn how various substances affect the brain opened his eyes to the possibility of becoming a physician and a scientist. “It was like Alice in Wonderland discovering a fantastic new world,” he says. Learn more.

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai: Record Number of Student Nurse Interns Graduate

Mount Sinai Nursing recently graduated a record number of student nurse summer interns, which included 101 students from nearly 40 nursing schools throughout the country who were accepted into and completed the prestigious program that follows the Magnet model of nursing excellence. Among the schools represented were Georgetown University, Howard University, Rutgers University, Saint Joseph’s University, University of Miami, and Villanova University. Learn more.