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Associated Medical Schools of New York State Secure $900,000 in Funding Under Science and Technology Entry Program

The Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY) today announced the receipt of nearly $900,000 funding through the New York State Education Department’s Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP).

“STEP was created to increase diversity and interest in medicine, science, and the health-related professions of young people who are educationally and economically disadvantaged,” said Jo Wiederhorn, President and Chief Executive Officer of AMSNY.

Recent estimates by the Association of American Colleges forecast that by the year 2020, the U.S. will experience a shortage of approximately 91,500 doctors.

“Programs such as STEP will help alleviate New York’s critical shortage of physicians which are estimated by the Center for Health Workforce Studies to approach as many as 17,000 by the year 2030,” Wiederhorn added.

Since the inception in 1985, AMSNY is the only statewide STEP consortium that has received funding every year. It is offered through 10 of the 16 medical schools in New York State, including: Albany Medical College; Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; Mount Sinai School of Medicine; New York College of Osteopathic Medicine; New York Medical College; New York University School of Medicine; University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry; SUNY Downstate Medical Center; and SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Each of the 10 schools has developed a unique STEP program providing academic enrichment focusing on the study of science and mathematics. Programs consist of academic year and summer components including:

Core subject instruction/Regents exam preparation;
Supervised practical training/ Supervised research training;
College admissions counseling;
Standardized tests preparation; and
Career awareness/development activities.

In addition, all of the programs provide classes that are specifically designed for high school students. Most are taught by current medical school students or college faculty.

The AMSNY STEP program has been extremely successful, repeatedly demonstrating positive outcomes. In 2010-11, the program included 464 students from 196 high schools throughout New York. Of those students, 97 percent had grade point averages above 80 percent. In addition, 60 percent were African-American and 35 percent were Hispanic/Latino. Students conducted 25,443 hours of combined research and internship experience.

The STEP program provides an inspirational path to students who prior to participation were not sure college was in their future. AMSNY is particularly proud that a number of its STEP participants elect to pursue a career in medicine.” Wiederhorn said.