SUNY DOWNSTATE AWARDS MORE THAN $52,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO PROMOTE DIVERSITY IN MEDICINE
Mar 5, 2019
Students in the Colleges of Medicine and Health-Related Professions Receive Scholarships
BROOKLYN, NY – SUNY Downstate Medical Center announced today that the Office of Diversity, Education,
and Research awarded more than $52,000 in scholarships to 14 students in its College
of Medicine and College of Health-Related Professions, respectively. The award is
part of Downstate's diversity initiative to retain underrepresented students in the
fields of medicine and allied health by providing funding support that reduces the
need for student loans.
Funded by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), this grant
allows the medical center to continue providing annual scholarships until 2023. The
scholarship awards range from $1,500 to $6,000 per student and help cover tuition,
fees, books, and other related educational expenses.
"Diversity initiatives that retain and attract minority students ensure that the next
generation of medical professionals can provide culturally competent care for an increasingly
diverse population," said Office of Diversity, Education, and Research Director Dr. Daniels-Osaze. "This federal program supports our students so they can focus on their preparation
for medical careers, without the worry of financial burdens."
Award recipients from the College of Medicine include first-year students, Lynn Benson, Michael Huaman, Gael Seraphin, Maxine Zinsou, and Vladimir Zinsou; second-year students, Adam Abin, and Tasnima Elahi; and third-year student Adwin Denasty.
Award recipients from the College of Health-Related Professions include Jonathan Arcentales and Candida St. Hillaire (Physician Assistant); Ericka Boucard (Medical Informatics); Bianka Lindo and Miriam Saca (Occupational Therapy); and Jose Ramirez (Physical Therapy).
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About SUNY Downstate Medical Center
SUNY Downstate Medical Center is the borough’s only academic medical center for health education, research, and patient care, and is a 376-bed facility serving the healthcare needs of Brooklyn’s 2.6 million residents. University Hospital is Downstate’s teaching hospital, backed by the expertise of an outstanding medical school and the research facilities of a world-class academic center. More than 800 physicians, representing 53 specialties and subspecialties—many of them ranked as tops in their fields—comprise Downstate's staff.
A regional center for cardiac care, neonatal and high-risk infant services, pediatric dialysis, and transplantation, Downstate also houses a major learning center for children with physical ailments or neurological disorders. In addition to University Hospital, Downstate comprises a College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Health-Related Professions, a School of Graduate Studies, a School of Public Health, and a multifaceted biotechnology initiative, including the Downstate Biotechnology Incubator and BioBAT for early-stage and more mature companies, respectively. For more information, visit www.downstate.edu