By Jenica Chandran, Special to The Chronicle
This past July, The University’s School of Medicine began accepting applications to enroll 40 students as the first class to take part in the school’s medical program starting in the summer of 2011.
The School of Medicine is the first allopathic (MD) school in Nassau County and the newest addition to Long Island in 35 years. The University has partnered with North Shore-LIJ health system-the nation’s second largest non-profit secular health system-to create a medical program that provides students with state-of-the-art facilities and a unique curriculum.
“Most of the classes are structured for less than 12 students per group,” said Jodi Langsfield, the School of Medicine’s Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. “So the students will have a wonderful opportunity to get to know their peers and professors, and learn leadership in a way that you can’t in large classroom settings.” The individualized focus on students is a unique feature that gives the program an edge over other medical schools. The first phase of the school’s curriculum includes an enhanced course in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification, which allows the students to be a member of an EMT team and have immediate exposure to patients.
Plans to create the medical school have been in the works since late 2007. In 2008, the New York State Senate provided The University with $25 million to help fund its construction. The award helped to convert Weeb Ewbank Hall-the former headquarters and training facilities for the New York Jets-into a Medical Education building ready for use in August. Highlights of the facility include the 12 seminar rooms (which hosts about 8 to 12 students each), cadaver dissecting room, extensive library and a large anatomy lab that will host about 100 students.
The School of Medicine will join The University’s eight other schools and colleges. The application process will take a year to complete, and applicants will be offered positions in late Spring 2011.
