Latest news with #medicaleducation
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
The 4+4 Blueprint: Inside The Hofstra BS/MD Experience
Choosing to become a doctor is more than just selecting a job—it's a lifelong commitment to healing, educating, and positively impacting patients' lives. As anyone who dreams of donning a white coat understands, the journey to become a doctor is long and complex but immensely rewarding in the end. The Hofstra 4+4 Program: BS-BA/MD offers a transformative opportunity for students who have already chosen their path and are eager to dedicate themselves to their medical career from the start. Facilitated by the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, being a student in this program does not prove a shortcut; rather, it delivers a carefully designed and immersive experience that prepares students for the challenges and rewards of being a physician today. The Hofstra 4+4 Program gives students early access to clinical opportunities and a strong support ... More system to help them through the process. The eight-year program emphasizes mentorship as it balances academic challenges with personal development and practical experiences. This program carves the path to transform its matriculants from a high school senior into an empathetic, well-rounded physician ready to make an impact. The Hofstra 4+4 Program: BS-BA/MD consists of four years of undergraduate education followed by four years of medical school training, seamlessly integrated into a single pathway. What distinguishes this program is not only the efficient process but also the underlying philosophy of cultivating outstanding physicians who are technically and empathetically skilled. Graduates emerge as leaders who grasp the humanistic impact of their work in medicine. Entry into this program is highly competitive. Each year, nearly 2,000 driven students from all over the country submit applications, yet only 10 to 15 are offered this coveted position. This results in a 0.5% acceptance rate, making it one of the most competitive routes to medicine available. Here's a rundown of what was required for students applying in 2025/26: In addition to these quantitative prerequisites, competitive applicants must also have enthusiasm, perseverance and a well-defined vision for their medical career ahead. The application process for the Hofstra 4+4 Program: BS-BA/MD consists of multiple steps. It's a comprehensive system to get to know the candidates as personally as individuals and academically. The program's aim is to choose students who are genuinely prepared for this commitment. Here is a general timeline, with the dates and requirements subject to change from year-to-year: This is a challenging process to say the least, but each phase is a checkpoint to guarantee that the program is choosing not only the brightest students but also the most dedicated to the core values of medicine. One of the most compelling features of the Hofstra 4+4 Program: BS-BA/MD is the level of flexibility it offers. Unlike students in traditional pre-med programs who feel restricted in the classes outside of the core sciences they are required to take, students in this program are encouraged to pursue outside interests. With 165 majors available, students can choose whatever sparks their interest, whether it's biology, psychology, economics or even dance. Previous students have used this flexibility to explore areas they never thought they would take a class in, let alone major in. This program facilitates this freedom of academic discovery while also making sure students fulfill all the medical school requirements. However, the benefits don't end there. The program encourages students to: These initiatives all go beyond academics; they focus on developing well-rounded individuals who can contribute their distinct thoughts and experiences to the medical field. Taking on the requirements of the BS/MD program may seem daunting at first, but the students in this program are never alone in the process. From the first day on campus, students are assigned a compatible medical school advisor to navigate coursework, research opportunities and extracurricular activities. The advisors will also provide guidance on MCAT preparation and medical school readiness. Beyond providing logistical support, the advisor will also serve as a support system throughout the med school journey as they help find opportunities that align with the student's individual passions and goals. Additionally, the community of peers will provide invaluable support. Upperclassmen often mentor under students, offering tips and establishing an open support network. The program organizes group bonding activities, such as bowling and ice skating, where participants can unwind and make lifelong friendships. Another major benefit of the Hofstra 4+4 Program: BS-BA/MD is its affiliation with Northwell Health, one of the largest healthcare providers in New York. This paves the way for a plethora of opportunities, including research at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and clinical experiences at Northwell's hospitals and outpatient centers. With early exposure to shadowing and research opportunities, it gives its students an advantage by allowing them to be present and work in the setting they will become so familiar with later in their career. After the students matriculate to the Zucker School of Medicine, they will immerse themselves in the unique, case-oriented curriculum that combines scientific knowledge with clinical application. Students will engage in experiential learning via small-group discussions, training in procedures like ultrasound and participate in clinical rotations. To remain in the program and have a smooth transition into medical school, students must uphold certain standards, which might change from year-to-year: It's a high standard to reach, but these expectations ensure students are ready for the rigors of medical school. The Hofstra 4+4 Program: BS-BA/MD focuses on education, but it also prioritizes developing compassionate and cultured humans. Students will have the opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities like sports, community service and study abroad. These experiences will foster students' emotional and ethical development, preparing them to be the best doctor they can for their future patients. Many students talk about how the most fulfilling part of the program is the balance built into the curriculum, with challenging academic courses combined with the opportunity to have an enriching college experience. If you are ready to dedicate yourself to a career in medicine, the Hofstra 4+4 Program: BS-BA/MD provides a direct and rewarding journey. It integrates the stability of a secured medical school position with the freedom to develop and pursue your passions and gain the skills essential for success as a doctor.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Loan plan in Republican bill could worsen doctor shortage, experts warn
Doctors' associations, medical schools and student advocates warn that a proposal in the Republican-led budget bill being considered by Congress restricts graduate federal student loans and could worsen a national shortage of doctors. The new Republican proposal would limit federal student loans for 'professional programs' – such as medical school – to $150,000, eliminate a federal graduate loan program and put limits on loan forgiveness. Medical students rely heavily on federal student loans to finance lengthy and expensive educations, particularly since 2006, when Congress broadly lifted caps on borrowing limits to allow for the full cost of tuition and living expenses. 'Our organization is very concerned about this,' said Dave Bergman, a spokesperson for the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM). He said about four in five students who attend osteopathic medical schools, which grant the doctor of osteopathy or 'DO' designation, use Grad Plus loans and many depend on student loan forgiveness. The changes are part of the 1,100-page Republican-led reconciliation bill dubbed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that Donald Trump sees as core to his second term in office. The legislation passed the House last week and is now being considered by the US Senate. 'When there is a stated goal from these policymakers to increase the physician workforce, to increase the number of primary care physicians and expand access in rural and underserved areas – these policies just don't align with those priorities,' said Bergman. 'It's a really bad workforce decision.' The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates the US will face a shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians by 2034, with specialties such as primary care, psychiatry and geriatrics especially affected. Advocates warn the curtailing or eliminating federal student loan programs could drive low-income students away from pursuing medicine as a career, make loans harder to repay, or push students into the arms of expensive private lenders, advocates told the Guardian. In turn, these changes could also worsen the flight of doctors from lower paid specialties, especially family medicine, primary care and pediatrics, which tend to have lower match rates than higher paid specialties such as cardiology, experts said. 'I, along with many others, worry that these changes will make medical school unaffordable, turn loan repayment into a pipe dream for residents, and worsen physician shortages – especially in primary care and underserved areas,' wrote recent medical school graduate Kaley Parchinski in a Stat editorial. An analysis by the Urban Institute, which studied the proposal when it was first introduced by Republican North Carolina representative Virginia Foxx in 2024, found the limits could affect more than 60% of students pursuing medicine and other health professions. 'At a time when our country urgently needs more doctors – especially in underserved areas – this bill would create new financial and logistical barriers that disproportionately harm low-income students,' said Dr Shannon Udovic-Constant, president of the California Medical Association, in a statement. The limits on graduate education would join limits on student loans seeking four-year degrees in a way that critics warn could make completing college more difficult for low-income students. Sara Partridge of the Center for American Progress said the changes risk 'creating or exacerbating [shortages] in essential and medical and healthcare fields, and reducing pathways to high-paying, in-demand career fields for students in underrepresented backgrounds'. The federal government has guaranteed student loans as a form of financial aid since 1965, part of a program called the Federal Family Education Loan program. These loans are a major payor for American medical schools, whose tuition costs have increased dramatically in cost since the mid-20th century, in line with other forms of higher education. Because of the long training requirements for doctors, aspiring physicians often graduate with large debt burdens, and how to decrease that burden has been a subject of bipartisan debate. The median indebtedness of a medical student who carried loans was $205,000 in 2023 according to the AAMC – or more than $50,000 short of the limit placed by congressional Republicans. House Republicans argue that uncapped student loan access has driven up the cost for expensive professional degrees, and that limiting federal loans would help drive down the cost of tuition. Dually, Republicans have argued that if students need more financing they can go to the private market. 'It is extremely costly to get a medical degree,' said Sara Robertson, spokesperson for Republicans on the House committee on education and workforce, which drove the proposal. 'Reforms in the bill will help put downward pressure on prices at medical schools so that future medical students can pay lower tuition costs, thereby making medical school more accessible to individuals from all backgrounds.' Robertson argued that, although the bill would limit how students can earn credits toward loan forgiveness during residency, it would allow them to defer interest and that private student loans would become available. 'For borrowers who do need to borrow more than the bill's loan limits, private student loans – particularly for medical students – will be widely available and often have interest rates,' said Robertson. However, because of relatively high earnings, medical students are also among some of the least likely students to default – limiting government risk. An average of 8.15% of all student loan debt is in default at any time, according to the Education Data Initiative, while just over 1% of osteopathic medical students miss loan payments, according to AACOM. Further, economists who have studied the issue – including those whose work Republicans have cited – warned there could be unintended consequences to altering these programs. 'The private loan market looks very different than it did in the years before Grad Plus,' in 2006, said Lesley Turner, an economist and associate professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. Turner and her co-authors wrote a paper which found that graduate loans, unlike loans for four-year degrees, likely raise the cost of graduate tuition. Robertson cited the paper to Axios. Turner said the Republican bill proposes a far lower limit for federal student loans than in 2006, the time before the Grad Plus program was created. Aggregate loan limits adjusted for inflation and for health-related programs, such as medical degrees, were 'almost $300,000 … so almost double the limit the House proposed.' 'This isn't going back to where we were in 2006, this is going back to that and then cutting it in half,' Turner said. 'It's not clear that the private student loan market would fill in that gap.' Turner's co-author, labor economist Jeff Denning at the University of Notre Dame, said he had 'mixed feelings' about the proposal. 'Uncapped borrowing is probably not a great policy,' said Denning, 'but capping it might have these unintended consequences particularly for high tuition programs including medicine.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Duke-NUS celebrates 20 years of medical innovation with largest ever graduating class
Duke-NUS Medical School's Class of 2025 graduates 121 medical and doctoral students, including MDs, MD-PhDs, PhDs, and masters' degrees Landmark first batch of Masters in Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality graduates, unique to Southeast Asia Inaugural graduates from conditional admissions pathways with NUS and SUTD 41% of MD and MD-PhD graduates made bold mid-career shifts from fields such as law, PR, accounting and mental health support SINGAPORE, May 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrating 20 years of transformative medical education, Duke-NUS Medical School graduated its largest cohort yet today, the Class of 2025, in a vibrant ceremony at the Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium in Academia attended by guest-of-honour Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health. Marking a strategic milestone for Duke-NUS, the graduating class included 72 Doctor of Medicine (MD) graduates—five of whom are also earning PhDs—and 27 PhD candidates from the Integrated Biology and Medicine, Quantitative Biology and Medicine and Clinical and Translational Sciences programmes. Among the MD graduates was the first group of individuals emerging from the Duke-NUS conditional admissions pathways with the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). These pathways are designed to attract talent from engineering, information technology and other undergraduate programmes. Dean Professor Thomas Coffman said: "Collaborating with seven partner universities, including Duke University and NUS, these pathways are designed to allow students to earn a first degree in diverse academic majors while providing an opportunity to seamlessly transition into medicine. It's a powerful model for developing doctors who are outstanding clinicians but also bring valuable multi-disciplinary skills into our healthcare system." This cohort also includes the inaugural batch of graduates of the Master's in Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality (MPSHQ) programme, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. The MPSHQ is focused on building highly reliable healthcare systems that are of consistent quality and safety. The Class of 2025 represents Duke-NUS' commitment to broadening the skillset and experience of our students, with 41 per cent of MD and MD-PhD graduates having transitioned mid-career from professions that include law, public relations, accounting and mental health peer support. Additionally, 58 per cent of the Class of 2025's graduates are women, underscoring the School's dedication to fostering diversity in the learning environment. Said Dr Faith Wong Pih Yng, previously a modelmaking student and senior peer support specialist at Singapore's Institute of Mental Health, now MD graduate, "Among the many hospital postings, what stood out most vividly was assisting in and witnessing childbirth—the intense anticipation and joy of welcoming a new life into the world was simply unmatched. Ultimately, however, the memories I cherish most are the countless hours spent with my classmates, supporting one another and peer-teaching." Duke-NUS MD graduates received their degrees, awarded jointly by Duke University and the National University of Singapore, in front of friends and family, as well as notable guests, including Duke University School of Medicine Dean Professor Mary Klotman, SingHealth Group CEO Professor Ng Wai Hoe, and keynote speaker, Dr Amy Abernethy, member of Duke University's board of trustees and co-founder of Highlander Health. Caring and compassion underlines the Class of 2025's accomplishments, especially beyond academia. Partaking in a wealth of community service projects, some of their cohort, such as Dr Dana Chow Wai Shin, MD, started the Healthy to Thrive initiative, the first Duke-NUS-led public health screening event dedicated to migrant workers. The cohort was also recognised for their outstanding achievements, which were given out the night before. Awards such as the Singapore Medical Association-Lee Foundation Prizes and Teamsmanship Awards presented to graduates who demonstrated excellence in academics, community service, and leadership. In the aspect of research and scholarship, the Class of 2025 did not flag, publishing an exceptional 253 papers and publications in their time at Duke-NUS, several as first authors in prominent journals such as Nature Medicine, Immunity and EMBO Molecular Medicine. MD-PhD graduate Dr Katherine Nay Yaung, first author on a paper published in Lancet Rheumatology, wrote about artificial intelligence and high-dimensional technologies to diagnose and treat autoimmune diseases, and PhD graduate Dr Aishwarya Prakash, named first author and published in American Heart Association Journal, who found a type of peptide to have protective qualities for the heart after sustaining damage. "The conversations I've had with patients emphasise a shift towards continuity of care and empowering individuals to make their own health choices. In moments where I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself that being a small part of each patient's journey has been a privilege," said Dr Pang Wui Ming Jeremy, recipient of the SingHealth Prize in Family Medicine, Singapore Medical Association-Lee Foundation Teamsmanship Award for exemplary team values in medicine and Duke-NUS Achievement Prize. As Duke-NUS enters its third decade, the School continues to redefine medical education and research, nurturing the next generation of healthcare leaders who are not just exceptional doctors but visionary innovators ready to make an impact in Singapore and beyond. About Duke-NUS Medical School Duke-NUS is Singapore's flagship graduate-entry medical school, established in 2005 with a strategic, government-led partnership between two world-class institutions: Duke University School of Medicine and the National University of Singapore (NUS). Through an innovative curriculum, students at Duke-NUS are nurtured to become multi-faceted 'Clinicians Plus' poised to steer the healthcare and biomedical ecosystem in Singapore and beyond. A leader in ground-breaking research and translational innovation, Duke-NUS has gained international renown through its five Signature Research Programmes and ten Centres. The enduring impact of its discoveries is amplified by its successful Academic Medicine partnership with Singapore Health Services (SingHealth), Singapore's largest healthcare group. This strategic alliance has led to the creation of 15 Academic Clinical Programmes, which harness multi-disciplinary research and education to transform medicine and improve lives. For more information, please visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Duke-NUS Medical School Sign in to access your portfolio
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Blackpink's Jennie donates ₩100m to Seoul National University to nurture empathetic future doctors
SEOUL, May 30 – Jennie of K-pop group Blackpink has reportedly donated 100 million won (RM345,000) to the Seoul National University's College of Medicine to support the education of future healthcare professionals. The Korea Herald cited the university's development fund committee saying the donation aims to help nurture medical students with empathy and a commitment to healing, while also enhancing the school's research and teaching environment. 'We deeply appreciate Jennie's generosity, which goes beyond financial support and embodies positive influence,' Kim Jeong-eun, dean of the medical school, reportedly said. 'We will do our best to cultivate future leaders who possess compassion, communication skills and a strong sense of responsibility to earn the public's trust.' The contribution will be channelled into initiatives that promote clinical excellence and social responsibility among future medical leaders. This is not Jennie's first donation to the university — her label Odd Atelier also gave 100 million won to the same institution in 2023. Jennie had founded Odd Atelier in 2023 as her independent management company to support her solo music career. Blackpink recently announced its 'Deadline' world tour — which will include stops in Bangkok, Jakarta and Singapore, but not Kuala Lumpur.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
UK charity funds Gaza medics' University of Leicester studies
Two medical students displaced from Gaza will have their studies in the UK paid for by a pair were the first to come to the UK under the University of Leicester's Displaced Medical Student Initiative to support people with studies affected by war, natural disasters and persecution students, named by the university as Mariam and Layla to protect their identities, were unable to study in the Palestinian Territories as all universities in Gaza have been partly or fully four-year course in Leicester will be funded by a £78,000 donation from UK-based The Hanoon Foundation (THF) which supports medical education in the Palestinian occupied territories. The university will waive tuition fees for students accepted through the initiative while a fund has also been set up to support its Dr Ahmed Massoud said THF was "proud" to support the initiative and help Mariam, who is from the Al-Azhar University of Gaza, and Islamic University of Gaza student said: "Such students will form the spine of the future rebuilt healthcare system in Gaza and the rest of Palestine."Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas' cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken least 54,056 people have been killed in Gaza since then, including 3,901 over the past 10 weeks, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Layla said: "Gaza is entirely unsafe, entirely destroyed, or burned, including my home university, which has been bombed many times."Despite nothing being clear, I'm counting days to go back to rebuild my Gaza, practice medicine there, give a hand to the most brave, innocent people, and live there until death."Mariam said coming to study in Leicester in 2024 "came at a time when hope was fading".She said: "I have a lot of mixed feelings, but the most important ones are that I am grateful and happy to seize an opportunity like this."On the other hand, I carry a sense of guilt for being here while my colleagues are still facing challenges without similar opportunities."Prof Shameq Sayeed, Leicester Medical School's Director of International Teaching Partnerships, said: "Though their displacement – with family and friends still under constant threat in Gaza – constitutes an ongoing and unimaginable challenge, this funding removes at least one of the barriers to the students' ability to complete their studies and return to Gaza as doctors."
