Five Downstate Students Receive AMSNY Diversity Scholarships
By Office of the President | Mar 19, 2024
Congratulations to the outstanding students from Downstate’s College of Medicine who received Diversity in Medicine scholarships from the Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY).
These scholarships, provided by the organization representing New York State’s 16 medical schools, aim to increase the number of physicians serving underserved communities and reduce the financial burden of medical education. To qualify, recipients must be graduates of an AMSNY postbaccalaureate program.
Jesse Kwame Asiedu, a third-year student from Accra, Ghana, found his passion for healthcare ignited by a family health crisis. Since moving to the U.S., he has helped provide underrepresented students with the necessary resources to pursue medical education, offering guidance to students at Buffalo State College. At Downstate, Jesse has been a advocate for diversity in emergency medicine and serves as a leader of White Coats 4 Black Lives, a group dedicated to promoting health equity. Jesse is a three-time recipient of the AMSNY scholarship.
Bradley Amazan, a Haitian-American fourth-year student and the first in his family to pursue higher education, will earn his degree from Downstate in May. A two-time recipient of the AMSNY scholarship, Bradley’s decision to enter the medical field was inspired by his experiences growing up in a multigenerational household and his volunteer work in Haiti, critically highlighting the importance of healthcare access. He is dedicated to preventative medicine and health education, particularly in underserved communities.
Emmaly Gutierrez, a first-year student, found her calling in medicine when she witnessed EMTs overcoming language barriers to assist her Spanish-speaking grandmother. Her time as an EMT and medical scribe in a bustling ER solidified her resolve to pursue a career in medicine, strengthening Emmaly’s dedication to providing compassionate care and serving her community.
Beylul Negassi, a first-year student, found her calling in medicine through her experiences at a refugee clinic, where these encounters ignited her passion for serving marginalized communities. From teaching students with special needs to aiding prison inmates in the Bronx, assisting African refugees, and supporting at-risk teens in the ER, Beylul’s ultimate goal is to provide holistic care and address systemic health issues within underserved populations.
Latia Skerving is a Bronx resident and fourth-year student and is the first in her family to attend college. Her grandmother’s illness served as a catalyst, inspiring Latia to confront healthcare disparities and champion quality healthcare in underserved communities. Driven by her personal experiences, Latia, a first-time AMSNY award recipient, is determined to become a healer for families and communities like her own.