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Syracuse.com Op-Ed: Lawmakers: Invest in attracting top scientists to NY state

By Sean Ryan & Al StirpeNYS Legislature members

NYS Capitol

The New York state Capitol is seen in Albany, N.Y., Tuesday, June 20, 2023. (Hans Pennink | AP)AP Photo/Hans Pennink, File

Sen. Sean Ryan represents the Buffalo area in the New York state Legislature. Assemblymember Al Stirpe represents Cicero. They are both Democrats.

New York State’s medical schools graduated 2,628 students in 2022, the greatest number in any state across the country. California and Texas followed with roughly 1,700 and 1,900 graduates, respectively.

These academic institutions do more than produce future physicians. They are huge drivers of economic development that bring in millions of dollars in research funding and create high-paying jobs.

New York state is the third-largest recipient of federal funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with $3.6 billion supporting nearly 6,500 research projects in 2023. Of that total, $2.5 billion — more than 70% — was awarded to scientists at New York state medical schools. Superstar scientists not only drive breakthroughs in their own labs — often leading to new patents, spinout companies and licensing deals with bio-pharmaceutical companies — they also spur collaboration, elevate the productivity of their colleagues, teach and inspire the next generation of researchers at the state’s medical schools.

But New York state must do more to maintain its position as a leader in scientific research. The state’s commitment to attracting and retaining top scientific talent lags behind its competitors, making it harder for New York institutions to compete in recruiting talent.

In 2020, California invested $5.5 billion in the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, bringing the total investment to $10.5 billion. In 2019, Texas invested a new $3 billion in its Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), bringing its total investment to $6 billion. Since 2009, CPRIT has awarded $854 million to support out-of-state recruitments. Meanwhile, in 2021, New York terminated the Empire State Stem Cell (NYSTEM) program, which funded many early-career scientists, creating a potential brain drain in stem cell research.

Most funding is awarded to scientists, not academic institutions. If those scientists leave New York for opportunities elsewhere, their funding follows them out of state. That’s why the Associated Medical Schools of New York launched the New York Fund for Innovation in Research and Scientific Talent (NYFIRST) program in 2018. Using State funding, NYFIRST supports New York’s medical schools by providing a maximum grant of $1 million to eligible schools to modernize, renovate and upgrade labs to help attract and retain world-class scientists.

The state’s $1 million investment is matched by the medical schools 2-to-1. On average, every dollar invested by New York state in NYFIRST has resulted in an additional $3.72 in economic activity. In total, NYFIRST has helped New York’s medical schools bring in more than $86 million in new funding to the state and created 186 new jobs with an average salary of $74,058, all from the initial $15 million state investment allocated in 2018.

However, with that initial funding nearly depleted, New York state risks losing all of these benefits if we do not commit to funding NYFIRST once again in this year’s state budget. By allocating another $25 million to this successful program, we can continue to enjoy a huge return on investment for a small fraction of the state budget.

Empire State Development and the state’s academic institutions are already investing in building infrastructure to support and expand our capacity in biomedical research and life sciences. These major capital investments will require a highly skilled and talented workforce to maximize the potential of these facilities. NYFIRST supports the recruitment and retention of global leaders in their fields — precisely the sort of talent that can drive breakthroughs and establish New York state as a global powerhouse in biomedical research and life sciences.

New York state must rise to the occasion and act to maintain its critical position as a leader in research. Supporting and leveraging its academic institutions for economic development through NYFIRST has proven to be successful and a pathway for the future. If we do not continue to invest in NYFIRST, a modest investment in the current budget, New York State will lose its momentum in bringing crucial research talent, scientific facilities and jobs to the state.

https://www.syracuse.com/opinion/2024/03/lawmakers-invest-in-attracting-top-scientists-to-ny-state-guest-opinion-by-sean-ryan-al-stirpe.html

LI Herald Op-ed: Our communities need more doctors who look like me

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I’m 26, and have lived virtually my whole life in Hempstead. I’ve seen a lot of health-related issues — low-income people of color, like me, suffering from chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and untreated mental illness. Often they haven’t been able to receive proper treatment for their conditions. I wanted to do something about it, and soon I will be able to, because I’m on my way to becoming a doctor.

There was a one-in-a-million chance that I would ever reach this goal. I’m an African-American woman from a low-income neighborhood, raised in a single-parent household. My father was incarcerated by the time I knew what it meant to have one, and remains imprisoned to this day — though he’s using this time to reflect and to continue his education. My mother, a crossing guard, worked extremely hard to provide for my brother and me, but there were days when the money she made didn’t seem like enough to put food on the table, or ensure that we would keep a roof over our heads, or keep us from falling victim to the violence that plagued our community.

I had to fight every step of the way to become the person I wanted to be. I graduated from Hempstead High School in 2015 in the top 1 percent of my class, and then, thanks to Stony Brook University’s Economic Opportunity Program, I graduated in 2019 with a double major in biology and psychology, and went on to earn a master’s in physiology and biophysics. I was the first person in my family to go to college, so there was no blueprint to follow but the one I created along the way.

I got jobs in the health care field, but becoming a doctor seemed out of reach until I was selected for the Diversity in Medicine pipeline program sponsored by Associated Medical Schools of New York. This post-baccalaureate program at SUNY Buffalo’s Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences is life-changing. There are classes to prepare me for the rigors of medical school, and a stipend I can use for living expenses so I can focus on my studies. I have mentors to turn to for help.

Most important, if I successfully complete the one-year program, I will go to medical school in the fall, and could be selected to receive AMSNY’s Diversity in Medicine Scholarship to help defray the cost. This amazing program is 100 percent state-funded.

Pipeline programs like this are needed to help diversify the physician workforce. Research has shown that patients are more likely to visit and follow the instructions of doctors who understand their language and culture, resulting in better health outcomes. Yet in New York state, where more than 30 percent of the population identifies as Black or Hispanic, just 13 percent of the state’s doctors come from those groups.

Physicians from racial and ethnic groups that are underrepresented are more likely to go into primary care and practice in under-served communities, where they are desperately needed. I have seen 30 to 40 people waiting, endlessly, to see a doctor; minor symptoms that were left untreated develop into chronic disease; and people with mental illness who are homeless, unable to pay for the care they need and jaded by past interactions with the health care system. People in these communities do not trust that system. I want to be a doctor who can change that, and earn their trust.

Growing up, I never saw a doctor who looked like me. Now I am one of 24 future physicians in this year’s AMSNY program who want to give back to our communities. I am immensely grateful to our state representatives and Gov. Kathy Hochul for making that possible.

In the past two years, the state’s investment in Diversity in Medicine programs has tripled. This funding must continue, and even increase, so more people like us can become doctors and leaders of change for our communities.

Shakia Miller is scheduled to complete the AMSNY Diversity in Medicine program in May.

Read the article online at https://www.liherald.com/stories/our-communities-need-more-doctors-who-look-like-me,206513?

amNY Op-Ed: How investing in science can help boost New York’s economy

 
Scientist laboratory test COVID-19 Corona Virus, Photo via Getty Images
 
New York is losing the race for scientific talent. Despite having some of the world’s very best research institutions, we’re being beaten by California, Texas, Massachusetts and other states in recruiting scientists. As a result, New York is losing out on hundreds of millions of dollars, if not more, in economic activity each year. We also are missing the opportunity to bring breakthrough clinical trials to New Yorkers needing treatments and cures for serious health problems. 

It doesn’t have to be this way. 

It has been more than 15 years since New York State invested significantly in basic biomedical research, with $600 million allocated in 2007. Since then, Texas has invested $6 billion in its Cancer Prevention Research Initiative, California invested $10.5 billion in the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts invested $1.5 billion in its Massachusetts Life Sciences Center and Connecticut put in $2.5 billion to expand its research enterprise.

These states are investing heavily because of the return on investment. California’s investment, for example, laid the groundwork for the most robust life sciences ecosystem in the U.S., with more than 14,000 life sciences companies employing nearly 335,000 people in 2021, and $79 billion in VC investment from 2018-21. This compares to 5,314 life sciences companies employing 110,000 people in New York State in 2021 and $18.4 billion in VC investment from 2018-21.

Investing in scientists is as important as building labs and funding research projects. Superstar scientists drive breakthroughs in their labs, often leading to new patents, spinout companies and licensing deals with biopharmaceutical companies. They also spur collaboration and elevate the productivity of their colleagues (a 2014 National Bureau of Economic Research working paper found that star academics increase the productivity of subsequent recruits). And importantly, superstars attract more funding to support their research.
 
Seventy percent, or $2.5 billion, that came to New York via National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants in 2023, was awarded to scientists at our medical schools. When these scientists leave New York for opportunities elsewhere, their NIH funding follows them out of state. It’s not surprising, then, that some states spend significantly on recruitment, with Texas alone investing $854 million since 2009 to support out-of-state recruiting.

Several years ago, New York State launched the New York Fund For Innovation in Research and Scientific Talent (NYFIRST) program to support medical schools in recruiting and retaining the nation’s top scientific talent. 

But NYFIRST is now running out of funding. Without new investment from the State, we will lose a powerful economic development tool and top scientific talent will be recruited to other states.

A modest $25 million investment from the state could support the recruitment of 25 superstar researchers.  To date, researchers recruited through the NYFIRST program have created 186 new jobs and brought in $86 million in NIH funding. Overall, the program has returned nearly four times the cost of its initial investment. It’s a small but powerful program. Texas, California and other states will still heavily outspend us, but at least we’ll have a fighting chance in the race for scientific talent.

Jonathan Teyan is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Associated Medical Schools of New York, a consortium of the state’s 17 medical schools.

Read the article online: https://www.amny.com/opinion/how-science-can-help-boost-new-yorks-economy/ 

AMSNY Calls on State to Fund Economic Development Program

NYFIRST Program Helps Medical Schools Attract and Retain Top Scientific Talent, Returns $3.72 for Every $1 Invested, and Creates High Paying Jobs

(New York, NY) – The Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY), the consortium of the academic medical centers in New York, is calling on the state to allocate $25 million in the budget to continue the successful New York Fund For Innovation in Research and Scientific Talent (NYFIRST) program, which supports medical schools in recruiting and retaining the nation’s top scientific talent. NYFIRST has helped the state’s medical schools bring in more than $86 million in new funding to the state and created 186 new jobs all for just the first $15M state investment allocated in 2018.

“NYFIRST has proven to be an important tool in keeping New York State globally competitive in biomedical research and has had a large ROI, bringing in millions of dollars in research funding and creating high paying research jobs throughout the state,” said Jonathan Teyan, CEO of AMSNY. “NYFIRST is about to run out of funding and without new investment from the State, we will not only lose a powerful economic development tool, but we will also lose out on top scientific talent that will be recruited to other states.” Every dollar invested by New York State in NYFIRST resulted in an additional $3.72 in economic activity. The average salary of all jobs created by NYFIRST is $74,058.

NYFIRST provides a maximum grant of $1 million to eligible medical school applicants to modernize, renovate and upgrade laboratory facilities to attract world-class scientists to medical schools in New York State. The state’s $1M investment is matched by the medical schools 2:1. The program was launched in response to an increasingly competitive national environment. States like Massachusetts, California, and Texas have invested billions to recruit the most talented researchers, making it harder for New York institutions to compete in recruiting talent.

Researchers who have been recruited to New York thanks to the NYFIRST program include:

University of Rochester

Dr. Paula Vertino, who is also professor of Biomedical Genetics and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and is recognized for her work on the role of epigenetics in cancer development, was originally recruited from Emory University.   Dr. Vertino’s research focuses on epigenetics and how alterations in gene expression promote cancer progression. Her work also seeks to understand how such alterations arise and can be reprogrammed as a therapeutic strategy.

Steven Silverstein, PhD as the George Engel Professor of Psychosocial Medicine, Associate Chair for Research in Psychiatry and Director of the newly established Rochester Center for Brain and Retina. Dr. Silverstein was recruited from Rutgers University in New Jersey. Rochester anticipates that the research led by Dr. Silverstein will increase the number of copyright and trademark registrations and patentable discoveries by approximately five each year. Dr. Silverstein brought two junior faculty with him to the University of Rochester, and it is anticipated that approximately 41 new jobs will be created as a direct result of the recruitment.

SUNY Upstate Medical University

Pharmacology Professor and Associate Professor of Surgery Dr. Juntao Luo is working to prevent and control sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) among soldiers suffering from battlefield injuries. That work was recently recognized by U.S. Army Medical Research, which awarded him a five-year $3.2 million grant. Dr. Luo has been awarded seven patents since joining UMU and has filed for a total of 15 patents in the last 10 years.

Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Dr. Jordan Orange, the Robert S. Carpentier Professor of Pediatrics and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, was recruited from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He applies advanced imaging techniques to understand the biology of genetic immunodeficiencies. He has brought in over $6M in NIH funding to the state, built a lab and hired a team of researchers. He has also filed for a patent for his research.

Simon John, PhD, the Robert L. Burch III Professor of Ophthalmic Sciences at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, studies glaucoma, which affects an estimated 75 million people. His first clinical trial, conducted last year at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, showed that vision loss due to glaucoma could be restored. Dr. John and his team of 12 are now conducting a clinical trial involving nearly 200 people.

About AMSNY

The Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY) is the consortium of the medical schools  in New York State. AMSNY’s mission is to be the voice of medical education in New York State, advancing biomedical research, diversity in medical school and the physician workforce, and high quality, cost-efficient patient care. The combined total of New York’s medical schools economic impact equals more than $85.6 billion. This means $1 in every $13 in the New York economy is related to AMSNY medical schools and their primary hospital affiliates. For more information on AMSNY, please visit: www.amsny.org.

BronxTimes Op-ed: AMSNY’s Diversity in Medicine program is making my career possible

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Aaishah Francis, pictured here, is an aspiring doctor in the Associated Medical Schools of New York Diversity in Medicine from the South Bronx.
Aaishah Francis, pictured here, is an aspiring doctor in the Associated Medical Schools of New York Diversity in Medicine from the South Bronx.
Photo courtesy Erin Clarke
 

Seventeen years ago, I came to New York as an undocumented single mother with nothing but blind hope and a dream. Now a resident of the South Bronx, I am on my way to becoming a doctor.

The Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY) Diversity in Medicine pipeline program is making it possible. When I successfully complete the one-year post-baccalaureate curriculum at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in Buffalo, I am guaranteed a place in medical school this summer. This is a life-changing opportunity for me. 

Becoming a doctor is how I want to help my community. The South Bronx is one of the poorest areas in New York City. There are signs of economic inequality and health care disparities everywhere, especially for women, more so for Muslim women, like me. I want them to see someone who looks like them, sounds like them, intimately understands their experiences and can provide the care they need. 

Research has shown that patients prefer medical providers who understand their language and culture and are more likely to visit and follow the instructions of doctors who share their racial or ethnic background. Yet in New York State, where more than 30% of the population identifies as Black or Hispanic, just 13% of the state’s physicians come from those groups. Even fewer are Muslim. 

There is another reason I want to be a doctor. My eldest son, a 13-year-old 8th grader with no known medical problems, went into cardiac arrest, collapsed, and died while playing basketball on a middle school playground in 2009. This impacted me deeply and as a physician, I hope to find ways to prevent deaths like his. 

When I was selected for the AMSNY program, I felt like Charlie Bucket winning the golden ticket in Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” In addition to courses to help me prepare for the rigors of medical school, I receive a stipend to help pay my living expenses. I don’t have to worry about paying my rent or putting food on the table. As a student parent I have been able to keep my 10-year-old daughter with me and I have had access to program resources that made it easy for me to navigate student life as a mom. There are always people ready to point me in the right direction. Additionally, there will be scholarship opportunities for medical school. This amazing program is 100% state funded. 

Many in the AMSNY program will go into primary care and practice in underserved communities like the South Bronx, where they are desperately needed. It’s important that future doctors like me return to these neighborhoods that are filled with people who suffer from chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and asthma. They need the same level of care  and commitment that others in more affluent, predominantly white areas receive.

This is why I am immensely grateful to the state legislators and Gov. Kathy Hochul who make the AMSNY program possible. In the past two years, the state has tripled its investment in diversity in medicine programs. This funding must continue and even increase so more people like me can become doctors. We want to give back to our communities.

Aaishah Francis is an aspiring doctor in the Associated Medical Schools of New York Diversity in Medicine program. A Muslim woman and single mother from the Bronx, she plans to come back home to the borough to treat people like her. 

Read the article here: https://www.bxtimes.com/op-ed-amsny-diversity-medicine/ 

AMSNY Calls on State to Maintain Commitment to Diversity in Medicine, Fund Programs and Scholarships in FY25.

State-Funded Programs Have Expanded the Diversity of the Physician Workforce, Which is Key to Better Health Outcomes for New Yorkers

Investment Supports More Than 950 Students Served by Programs Managed by the Associated Medical Schools of New York 

Funding Supports Largest Cohort of Medical Students Receiving Scholarships

 

(New York, NY) – The Associated Medical Schools of New York, the consortium of the academic medical centers in New York, is calling on the State to continue its strong commitments to pathway programs and medical school scholarships that, over many decades, have resulted in a more diverse physician workforce. 

This past year, New York State allocated $3.644 million to the Diversity in Medicine Program, which is designed to close gaps in the medical profession by supporting more than 950 students in 19 programs across the state. These initiatives offer opportunities to students who are committed to becoming physicians and who have overcome adversity on the path to medical school. Many of the students who graduate from these programs will continue on to practice medicine in underserved communities and an even greater number will remain in New York practicing medicine for many years to come.

The Legislature’s $1 million investment in AMSNY’s Diversity in Medicine Scholarship program supports 33 students, covering the equivalent of SUNY medical school tuition and addressing the financial burdens that are often an impediment to enrollment. The scholarships are also supported through a generous grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

Research has clearly demonstrated that patients treated by doctors from shared backgrounds have better health outcomes, which makes diversifying the state’s physician workforce imperative to improving the overall health of New Yorkers and addressing health disparities. 

“Under Governor Hochul’s and the Legislature’s leadership, New York has significantly expanded opportunities for talented students who have shown resilience in overcoming barriers on their path to medical school. AMSNY is deeply grateful for the State’s commitment to addressing health disparities and inequities by investing in pathways to careers in medicine and a diverse physician workforce,” said Jonathan Teyan, AMSNY President and CEO.

Pathway programs supporting students from middle school through medical school are located across the state, including in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany, Westchester, New York City, and Long Island, providing broad access for a wide range of students. 

Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY) launched its first diversity pipeline programs in 1985 and has continually provided opportunities for underrepresented students to prepare for and enter medical school. The New York State Department of Health has provided funding for these programs since 2002 in an effort to help broaden the demographics of people entering the medical profession in New York. 

Governor Hochul Announces More Than $4.6 Million to Expand Access to Health Care, Eliminate Health Care Disparities for New Yorkers

Investment Supports More Than 750 Students Served by Programs Managed by the Associated Medical Schools of New York

Additional $1.2 Million in Scholarship Funding Under Governor Hochul to Support Largest Class of Medical Students Since Inception of Diversity in Medicine Programs

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced more than $4.6 million in state funding for programs to expand access and eliminate disparities in health care while helping to increase diversity among the physician workforce throughout New York, representing a $1.2 million increase over the previous year’s allocation.

“For far too long, communities of color in New York have faced disparities in their access to health care and as a result have endured poorer health outcomes from their underrepresentation in the medical field,” Governor Hochul said. “By increasing our commitment to programs that champion diversity in medicine, we can ensure that our state’s health care workforce is more representative of our state’s population and help right historic wrongs.”

The goal of the programs, managed by the Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY) and funded in part through the state Department of Health and in part through the State Legislature, is to improve access to care and eliminate health care disparities in New York State by diversifying the physician workforce. The investment offers opportunities for talented students who are committed to becoming physicians and who have demonstrated resilience in overcoming adversity on the path to medical school. Research has shown that patients treated by doctors from shared backgrounds have better health outcomes, which makes diversifying the state’s physician workforce imperative to addressing health disparities.

The funding will support over 750 students through several initiatives, including AMSNY’s successful post-baccalaureate program at Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo.

While more than 30 percent of the state’s population is Black or Hispanic, only 12 percent of physicians represent those demographics, which makes diversifying the state’s physician workforce imperative to improving the overall health of New Yorkers and addressing disparities.

AMSNY’s post-baccalaureate program at Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo includes five year-long programs enrolling a total of 54 students. Students are provided a $22,000 stipend for the year. This program offers a second chance to students who possess the ability to succeed in medical school, but don’t meet certain academic criteria.

The Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo and six other participating New York State schools refer students to the program. Students receive a conditional acceptance from the referring medical school and matriculate without having to reapply once they successfully complete the program. Throughout the year, students may take upper-level classes in physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, anatomy, and pharmacology—all taught by faculty at Buffalo.

Several participating schools, including the Jacobs School, also host a pre-matriculation program, which is aimed at helping students adjust to their medical school’s environment and curriculum. The program enrolls up to 28 students annually and all participants attend tuition-free with a living stipend through AMSNY.

Also supported through funding is the Pathways to Careers in Medicine and Research Program at City College of New York, and the Learning Resource Center at CUNY School of Medicine, which collectively support more than 500 students; and the Diversity in Medicine Pathway, which covers 11 programs aiding approximately 250 students through academic enrichment, mentoring, research experiences, MCAT preparation and stipend support. In addition, the funding covers some of the $45,000 stipend through Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, which supports nearly three dozen students and is indexed to the cost of tuition at SUNY medical schools.

The increased funding also supports an additional 30 students in post-baccalaureate programs at New York Medical College, the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Norton College of Medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University and at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.

The funding provides assistance to more than 220 students participating in 10 programs at the Bronx Community Health Leaders with Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Mentoring in Medicine, Inc; Norton College of Medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University; NYU Grossman School of Medicine; NYU Long Island School of Medicine; Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University; SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University; Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine; and University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

The Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY), the consortium of public and private medical schools in New York State, launched its first diversity in medicine pathway programs in 1985 and has continually provided opportunities to students to prepare for and enter medical school. The state Department of Health has provided funding for these programs since 2002 to help broaden the demographics of people entering the medical profession in New York.

New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Through Governor Hochul’s leadership and the support of the New York State Legislature, this investment highlights the State’s continued commitment to eliminating health disparities, expanding broader access to health care services, and ensuring the medical profession reflects New York’s diverse communities—which is critical to better health outcomes for all New Yorkers. These Diversity in Medicine programs and scholarships help aspiring physicians and health care professionals get into graduate programs and medical school, prepare for those programs, stay in those schools and pay for that education. In this way, we’re both helping build a diverse health care workforce for the future and helping individuals achieve their dream of becoming a doctor and helping others.”

Associated Medical Schools of New York President and CEO Jonathan Teyan said, “The State Department of Health has continued and expanded its strong commitment to addressing healthcare disparities in New York by investing in a diverse physician workforce. This increased investment in AMSNY’s Diversity in Medicine programs is supporting more than 750 students on their paths to practicing medicine, and the Legislature’s $1 million investment in AMSNY’s Diversity in Medicine Scholarship will continue to reduce financial barriers for medical students and ensure a pipeline of physicians who are committed to providing care in underserved communities in New York State.”

State Senator Tim Kennedy said, “By increasing New York’s investment in these programs, we’re actively shaping a more diverse and inclusive field of future physicians, and ultimately improving quality, patient-centered care. This funding will undoubtedly fuel a new class of medical professionals who are committed to bridging health disparities and gaps in access to care, and their perspectives will uniquely shape the way they practice medicine.”

State Senator Sean M. Ryan said, “Historical barriers for people of color persist in every part of our society, and medical school students are not immune to these challenges. New York’s investment in promoting diversity among our state’s physicians will pay dividends for those future doctors, but also for patients of color, who have been shown to benefit from cultural representation in healthcare.”

State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “An investment in diversity, equity and inclusion is always a smart one. This funding for scholarships, to be given to medical students from diverse ethnic backgrounds, will change the future of medicine in New York. I’m proud to see our state recognize the value of having our medical workforce be as diverse as the population they serve.”

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “I am proud to have supported funding of the AMSNY Diversity in Medicine program and scholarship in the Assembly for multiple state budgets. These pathway programs help talented students who have faced adversity on the path to medical school, yet remain committed to becoming physicians. I applaud the New York State Department of Health for recognizing the role these programs play in diversifying the state’s physician workforce and continuing to fund opportunities for the next generation of healthcare leaders.”

Assemblymember Pamela Hunter said, “I’m proud to have long supported the AMSNY Diversity in Medicine Program, having secured funding for scholarships in the past. I believe in the program’s crucial work in promoting diversity in the medical field and am committed to its ongoing success. Let’s continue working towards a more inclusive future in healthcare.”

Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “The state’s increased investment toward the Associated Medical Schools of New York’s equity and inclusion programs will go a long way in diversifying our physician workforce and will provide a new generation of medical students with opportunities to pursue their dreams. If we’re to address health disparities, increase trust among patients and improve our state’s overall quality of care, we must look to remove financial hurdles for students and provide for them a path that will allow the physician workforce to be representative of the populations they serve. I thank State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald for continuing to invest in educating our state’s future physicians and medical professionals.”

Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson said, “Increasing equity, justice and opportunity in our medical field is of utmost importance if we expect to also increase equity and justice in patient care. The AMSNY Diversity in Medicine program is crucial to ensuring that the diversity in our community is reflected in the medical professional staff that serves us, especially in bringing culturally sensitive and informed care to our underserved communities. I wholeheartedly support this program, and I am pleased that the state has increased its investment thus demonstrating a commitment to ensuring an equal opportunity to succeed for all students in our community and to bring increased equity to our healthcare system.”

University at Buffalo Health Sciences Vice President and Jacobs School Dean Dr. Allison Brashear said, “The Jacobs School takes immense pride in its post-baccalaureate program, which has helped pave the way for aspiring physicians throughout New York State for over three decades. This investment means that the dream of becoming a doctor is going to come true for more students in our state and that journey is going to start right here at UB.”

Jacobs School Executive Director of the Office of Medical Education and Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education David A. Milling, MD said, “Since its inception, the post-baccalaureate program at the Jacobs School has allowed hundreds of aspiring doctors to become physicians throughout the state. And now, those doctors practicing throughout the state are providing the best possible care to thousands of New York patients, especially those in underserved communities.”

 

 

NYFIRST Program Continues to Deliver 

This month Governor Hochul announced the fifth round of grant applications from NYFIRST, an AMSNY-founded program that strengthens the research capabilities of medical schools in New York State by investing in the recruitment and retention of exceptional researchers. To date, the program has resulted in more than $86 million in additional funding to the state and has created more than 180 new jobs. The program will soon run out of funds and AMSNY is urging the State to provide a new $25M appropriation to the program that has had a four-fold return on investment.

NYFIRST Researcher Works to Reverse Glaucoma Vision Loss

Simon John, PhD, the Robert L. Burch III Professor of Ophthalmic Sciences at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, was recruited to Columbia four years ago thanks, in part, to a NYFIRST award. Dr. John studies glaucoma, which affects an estimated 75 million people. He initially encountered stiff resistance to his approach, which focuses on treatment with vitamin b and pyruvate. “The resistance provided a challenge, and challenges tend to drive me,” says John, whose methods were eventually accepted and widely adopted. The first clinical trial of this nutrient combination, conducted last year at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, showed that vision loss due to glaucoma, could be restored. Dr. John and his team of 12 are now conducting a clinical trial involving nearly 200 people. “The recruitment of Dr. John clearly demonstrates how the NYFIRST program advances research and helps drive New York’s life sciences economy.” said Jonathan Teyan, President and CEO of AMSNY.

More Students than Ever Receive AMSNY Diversity in Medicine Scholarship

The Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY) is proud to introduce the 33 recipients of the 2023-2024 AMSNY Diversity in Medicine Scholarship. Thanks to a $1 million investment from the New York State Legislature, more students than ever before are receiving much-needed scholarship support.

Designed to increase the diversity of the New York State physician workforce, the scholarship is available to medical students who have faced adversity and overcome obstacles on the path to medical school. The Scholarship addresses one of the greatest barriers to medical school – the high cost of tuition – and is part of a continuum of programs AMSNY funds and oversees to expand diversity in medicine.

The scholarship is indexed to the cost of SUNY medical school tuition and is awarded for a minimum of two years and a maximum of four years.  To be eligible for the scholarship, students must have completed one of AMSNY four post-baccalaureate programs, which create opportunities for students who have experienced barriers to a medical education including financial, academic and social barriers. The post-baccalaureate programs are highly successful, with 93 percent of graduates enrolling in medical school in New York.

AMSNY has overseen programs to increase diversity at medical schools for nearly 40 years.  Due to this longstanding commitment by AMSNY and our medical schools and New York State’s support,  New York is a leader in the nation in providing pathways for students who have faced adversity and diversifying the medical student population and the physician workforce.

The AMSNY Diversity in Medicine Scholarship is also supported by the New York State Department of Health and the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

 

AMSNY Statement on United States Supreme Court Decisions in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina

The Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY), the consortium of the 17 medical schools of New York State, is profoundly concerned that the United State Supreme Court decisions in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina will diminish opportunities for talented students pursuing careers in medicine and science. These decisions reject a longstanding precedent that recognized the compelling interest of ensuring diversity in higher education and may undermine recent advances to address inequities in medical education and research.

In 2022, AMSNY joined the Association of American Medical Colleges and 44 other groups in filing an amicus curiae brief in these cases. We urged the Court to continue allowing schools to include race and ethnicity as a limited consideration when reviewing medical school applicants. AMSNY is dedicated to ensuring that the physician and scientific workforce is broadly representative of our communities by providing opportunities for people from groups underrepresented in medicine and science to attend and thrive in medical and graduate school. 

Through the AMSNY Diversity in Medicine Program and Diversity in Medicine Scholarship, and decades of intentional work by our medical schools, New York State has become a leader in the effort to create a healthcare workforce that more closely matches the racial and ethnic backgrounds of the people it serves. In 2020, New York’s medical schools achieved an important milestone, with more than 20% of matriculating medical students identifying with groups underrepresented in medicine. Still, more work needs to be done, as nearly one-third of New Yorkers are Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino. As numerous studies make clear, health outcomes improve markedly when there is racial/ethnic and cultural concordance between patient and provider.

While the Supreme Court’s decision will necessitate reevaluation of admissions processes, AMSNY remains strongly committed to providing educational opportunities and support for those underrepresented in medicine and science. We will work in partnership with our member institutions to ensure that our physicians and scientists reflect the communities they serve.