Diversity & Multicultural Affairs

Gary Butts, MD , Chair
Mount Sinai School of Medicine

MISSION
The Committee on Diversity & Multicultural Affairs aims to facilitate cooperation, coordination and development of activities throughout the educational continuum related to the promotion and support of diversity and multicultural affairs within the 15 NYS medical schools.

BACKGROUND
The Diversity and Multicultural Affairs Committee is a standing committee of AMSNY. Since 1985, AMS NY has been at the forefront of advocating, developing and implementing programs aimed at increasing diversity in medical education throughout the education continuum (from middle school programs for junior faculty). Since 1985, approximately $20 million has been allocated to the schools for this purpose. For the 2006-2007 academic year, we will distribute an estimated $1,650,000 in funding.

PROGRAMS
Science & Technology Entry Program- STEP
STEP is comprised of educational enrichment programs that enhance and strengthen pre-requisite math and science skills of disadvantaged high school and undergraduate college students. The goal is to facilitate their entry and graduation from college and health professions schools.

Physician Career Enhancement at Staten Island University Hospital
This program guides high school students from educationally or economically underserved areas to the field of medicine. It provides ongoing guidance and support and referral services to participants, as well as workshops on time management, the life of a medical student and what it means to be a physician. In addition, each student is assigned a mentor for the course of the semester.

Academic Counseling at The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education
Sophie Davis offers a unique program designed to increase access to medical training for inner-city youths, particularly underrepresented minorities and economically disadvantaged students. The AMSNY grant aids in providing a counselor to the students during their tenure at the school.

Post-Baccalaureate at the University of Buffalo School
of Medicine & Health Sciences
For over 15 years, AMSNY and the University of Buffalo’s School of Medicine and Biomedical Science have sponsored the Post Baccalaureate Program; a joint initiative to provide college students from economically and educationally disadvantaged areas who have applied to medical school one year of individualized post-baccalaureate study to enhance their academic performance before they enter medical school. This program is tailored to provide medical school applicants who would benefit from academic enrichment courses a second opportunity for admission into medical school.

Pathways to Careers in Medicine and Research at City College of the City Of New York
This program has 4 main purposes:
• Train future MD/PhD and PhD students on the rigors of basic science research. 
• Enhance research methodology techniques, science and academic skills in preparation for medical, science and other health professional graduate schools. 
• Acquaint the students with medical schools through visits to New York medical schools and by offering pre-application discussions with medical school students and faculty. 
• Sustain a culture of learning.