Academic Pathways

The Clinical NeuroSciences (CNS) Pathway is a program of advanced activities in the neurosciences to allow medical students to pursue more in-depth immersion than that provided by the core COM curriculum. No need to apply; open to all students. Requires completion of the Basic Mechanisms of Clinical Neuroscience (BMCN) elective during Foundations2, and submission of analyses of the monthly mystery case (MCOM) throughout the clinical years on a regular basis (i.e. at least every other month). Neuro-relevant summer activity/project after MS1 year strongly suggested but not required (most students do it). Graduation from the Clinical NeuroSciences Pathway (CNS) requires satisfactory completion of both of the above activities PLUS passing grades in Unit 6 and the neurology and psychiatry clerkships.

The CNS Pathway was the first Academic Pathway at Downstate Health Science University with a long legacy of program alumni. Founded in 2003, the first graduates in the program were in Class of 2007; with over 300 graduates to date.

The Medical Educator Pathway (MEP) is a longitudinal experience for College of Medicine (COM) students who are passionate about contributing to the present and future of medical education at an academic medical center. SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University has a long history of producing outstanding medical educators and is among the top medical schools whose graduates make up core faculty at academic medical centers around the country. This pathway aims to prepare medical students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be future leaders in medical education at academic medical centers. Our specific goals include 1) promotion of excellence in teaching and curriculum development, and 2) support of innovations, scholarship and research in medical education.

Medical Educator Pathway webpage »

The Global Health pathway at SUNY Downstate’s College of Medicine aims to provide a longitudinal pathway for medical students interested in Global Health to identify, engage in, and advance innovative and sustainable solutions in health care worldwide. The pathway achieves that mission through integrating collaborative, inter-professional approaches to education, research, and service. Students participate in case-based learning focused on logistical and ethical concerns within the global health arena. The Global Health Pathway provides 4th year opportunities for a capstone academic experience and for global-local clinical experiences. Guidance is also provided for rotations abroad.

The Bioethics Pathway is designed to prepare students to anticipate, understand and deal with ethical issues in medicine and science. The Bioethics Pathway encourages medical students to utilize personalized, professional reflection and exercises in order to develop an individualized approach for working out real-life ethical situations in clinical settings. In a year-long course, students study principles that govern ethical behavior and engage in discussion with each other and visiting faculty. Students submit original projects at completion of the pathway that are presented or published. In addition, students are required to attend at least 2 ethics related academic events per year, for the duration of their academic program at Downstate.

The Social Determinants of Health Pathway at SUNY Downstate, also referred to as the Health Equity Advocacy Leadership (HEAL) Pathway, is designed for students who are passionate about tackling social determinants of health, addressing health inequities, eliminating social injustices, and reducing disparities. HEAL offers a longitudinal experience within a social ecological framework that will enhance students’ understanding of how a multiplicity of social factors operate at the individual, community, system, and policy levels, and how they influence health outcomes including health care delivery. The components of the pathway include 8 didactic sessions, self-directed learning via conferences and seminars, original scholarly work, community partnership development, and leadership in pathway activities. These are to be completed by the time of graduation. The main goal of this pathway is to empower our students to examine how historical and current discriminatory practices shape current day policies. It is important for students to understand the consequences of discriminatory policies on the patient experience and disparate health outcomes, the different factors (the “social determinants”) that result from them, and to develop multifaceted and multidisciplinary solutions applicable in the educational, clinical, research, and community settings. As such, the pathway will shape the approach that future physicians have in their practice by informing their attitudes, knowledge and skills, and equip them to be compassionate leaders in medicine, and advocates for health equity and social justice.

The LGBTQIA+ Health Pathway at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine (COM) is a selective paracurricular pathway designed to provide students with the educational foundation necessary to deliver culturally sensitive care for LGBTQIA+ patients. We will achieve this goal through dedicated mentorship, didactic modules, community service, and research initiatives that culminate in a scholarly project upon pathway completion. The pathway works synergistically with existing material from the main curriculum to provide additional training to address the needs of the growing LGBTQIA+ population.