Alumni Association - College of Medicine

Dear Fellow Alumni,

We are the Alumni Association of the SUNY Downstate Medical College of Medicine, an independent, self-sufficient organization dedicated to the financial support of programs that enhance the medical student's experience throughout their 4 years at Downstate and to promoting alumni fellowship and camaraderie.

The commitment to our students begins during orientation of their first year, with our support of the White Coat Ceremony. The incoming medical students don their white coat with family and friends assembled, marking the passage and symbolic ordination into the long line of the sacred community of healers. Our support extends up until graduation, with a party and medical gift, at the time of the informal assumption of the privileges and responsibilities of becoming a physician. Between these two points, our financial support extends to providing tuition scholarships, research fellowships, and underwriting the HealthCare in Developing Countries Elective.

Other programs we underwrite include the Brooklyn Student Run Free Clinic which offers a hand on experience of operating a clinic with limited finances; the Brooklyn Stories book which encourages students to share their thoughts and experiences in this student literary journal, and the Mentoring Program where our alumni and faculty give of their time in an informal setting with the students to help them acclimate to medical school and begin to explore their specialty interest. We are the bridge between the academic building, the neighborhood, the city, and the world. Our support of these programs will hopefully encourage and energize our students to fulfill their own aspirations and the tenets of the Oath of Hippocrates. For our members, we publish the magazine, Alumni Today, to help keep abreast of the latest update sat Downstate Medical Center, the faculty and our alumni. We have our annual reunion weekend and gala dinner in the spring overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge. Throughout the year, we have quarterly Board meetings and welcome alumni to join us and become involved.

We, the Board of Trustees and the Board of Managers, invite all alumni to join in becoming active members of our society.

Sincerely yours,

James W. Ferguson, MD '81
President 2012-2013
Alumni Association - College of Medicine