State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras announced today the first ever statewide initiative to help more Educational Opportunity Program students get into SUNY’s medical universities. Under the Chancellor’s SUNY for All initiative, the Pre-Med Opportunity Program (Pre-OP) will help solve for persistent income disparities found amongst the nation’s medical schools, with about two-thirds of students coming from families within the top two quintiles of family income ($74,870 to $225,251).
Building from SUNY’s longstanding and important Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)—which serves New York State’s disadvantaged students from underserved communities gain access and succeed in undergraduate programs—as well as the successful medical pathway programs at SUNY’s University at Buffalo, Downstate Health Sciences University, Stony Brook University, and Upstate Medical, the SUNY for All Pre-OP will provide academic support, mentorship, clinical exposure, assistance with MCAT preparation, academic coaching, and workshops.
The SUNY Pre-Op is set to begin in Summer 2021 with 25 students, which would be expanded based on initial results and further funding. To be considered for the program, candidates must be a SUNY EOP sophomore or junior on a pre-medical track, have a grade point average of 3.2 or higher, and have successfully completed two semesters of general chemistry and two semesters of biology.
“The Educational Opportunity Program was groundbreaking in 1967 in acknowledging that too many promising students from New York’s disadvantaged communities didn’t attempt go to college because they didn’t believe they could succeed, and now over 50 years of resources and dedicated support by New York State has helped 76,000 students do just that,” said Chancellor Malatras. “History has shown us that well-qualified students from underserved communities often don’t have the same opportunities to attend the nation’s medical programs and we can change that in New York State. SUNY’s new Pre-Op program will take our EOP program to the next level by empowering well-qualified students to enter and successfully complete medical school regardless of their economic means or background.”
SUNY Board Vice Chairman Cesar Perales said, “SUNY’s Educational Opportunity Program has made a significant difference for thousands of students by making college possible to achieve. Today’s announcement by Chancellor Malatras takes this program a step further to make the playing field for getting into medical school more equitable, a benefit for our students and also our institutions by having a more diverse student body. SUNY for All Pre-Med Opportunity Program is another example of SUNY solving for problems that affect today’s students to ensure that they have a brighter future, and I look forward to seeing this program grow.”
University at Buffalo President Satish K. Tripathi said, “The University at Buffalo is very excited to participate in the SUNY for All Pre-Med Opportunity Program. At the University at Buffalo, we are committed to providing our EOP students with the necessary support to realize their personal and professional aspirations. The SUNY All Pre-Med Opportunity Program is consistent with our values to ensure all students with the academic background and desire have the opportunity to pursue their dream of graduate medical education.”
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University President Wayne J. Riley, M.D. said, “Downstate is in a unique location that allows us to interact closely with a community that understands the importance of having healthcare professionals who understand them. Our ability to source, develop, and provide opportunities for lower-income students seeking careers in healthcare is bolstered by partnerships through our School of Graduate Studies that is preparing the next generation of researchers. Likewise, our College of Nursing is preparing underrepresented and disadvantaged graduate students with funding for advanced practice primary care roles. We continue to encourage partnerships that focus on how best to serve our very diverse community by providing options specifically for those who are underrepresented in healthcare careers.”
Stony Brook University President Maurie D. McInnis said, “We couldn’t be more pleased to support and participate in this groundbreaking program. It matches our mission of ensuring equitable access to quality education for all students and offering world-class healthcare to our local communities, including those that have been historically underserved. Expanding EOP support and resources for those pursuing medical school will be a huge step toward equity in student success. Stony Brook University has a decades-long dedication to providing EOP opportunities, and we are excited to now help medical students explore different pathways to research innovation and clinical experience.”
SUNY Upstate Medical University President Mantosh Dewan, M.D., said, “Upstate Medical University is committed to admitting, training, and shaping the next generation of health care leaders. The new SUNY for All Pre-Medical Scholars Pipeline Program will allow more young men and women from a wider variety of backgrounds pursue their dreams of becoming a doctor—a profession that has never been more important or valued as we continue to fight COVID-19. The SUNY EOP has a long and commendable history of propelling students from disadvantaged backgrounds and we are eager to work with SUNY to help students find successful academic careers at Upstate and beyond.
Chancellor Malatras will convene a group made up of System Administration and the SUNY Medical School to lead in designing the program to ensure compliance with the Liaison Committee on Medical Education accrediting body and to help select the students for Pre-Op.
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