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Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell

Medical School

Mailing Address
500 Hofstra University
Hempstead, New York 11549
Phone
(516) 463-7516
School Information
"Established in 2008, the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell was founded by two equal partners: Hofstra University and Northwell Health. The School of Medicine is built upon the strong clinical and graduate medical education programs of Northwell, as well as the robust research and academic programs of both Hofstra and Northwell’s Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. For seven years in a row, the Zucker School of Medicine has been recognized among the top medical schools nationwide (2017-2023, U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools), and for the second year in a row as one of the most diverse medical schools in the country (2022-2023, U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools). The institution comprises more than 3,000 faculty members across 25 academic departments and enrolls a diverse community of over 400 students" (Source: https://medicine.hofstra.edu/).
General Information
The school has launched several DEI initiatives. This includes the Committee on Anti-Racism and Allyship. Additionally, the school hosted an event on “Promoting an Anti-bias and Inclusive Curriculum by Hetty Cunningham, MD.” A pipeline program for underrepresented students is also offered. The school plans on adding more programs that reflect a commitment to anti-racism. See developments below:

Actions Taken

Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
  • The school created its Committee on Anti-Racism and Allyship, which "aims to address structural racism, promote allyship, and enhance the climate of inclusion within the ZSOM community, by providing opportunities for professional development and leadership training in efforts to foster health equity within the communities we serve as educators, physicians, administrators, and future healthcare providers."
  • On May 24, 2024, School of Medicine News reported that "researchers created a Zucker School of Medicine workshop on health equity, with a focus on SDoH [Social Determinants of Health], to help students more effectively communicate with diverse populations."
  • As part of the ZSOM Curriculum Renewal Retreat, students discussed and explored "health inequities, the role of implicit bias, and conflict resolution" and "[learned] to practice cultural humility."
Curriculum Changes and Requirements
  • A goal of the Committee on Anti-Racism and Allyship is to "create a longitudinal curriculum thread to educate students on the history of medicine in America using a critical anti-racism lens, health inequities, microaggressions, social determinants of health and racial injustices of all groups, but particularly focusing on Black & Brown patients."
  • The school's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion outlines its "Equity Curricular Initiatives" which include: "Cultural Sensitivity in Medicine," "Implicit Bias in Medicine," and "Health Equity."
  • The school announced its "Curriculum Renewal Speaker Series events" (2022-2023) which would "deliver content that will help set a foundation for analysis, reflection, and inspiration as we journey to a renewed curriculum." The series includes “Promoting an Anti-bias and Inclusive Curriculum by Hetty Cunningham, MD."
Faculty/Staff Requirements
  • The Committee on Anti-Racism and Allyship will "identify knowledge gaps, investigate and implement professional development programming to provide training for all faculty and staff."
Program and Research Funding
  • In 2023, the school offers the “Zucker Visiting Elective for Students Underrepresented in Psychiatry.”
  • The Zucker School of Medicine offers the College Pipeline Program for students who are underrepresented in medicine.
Resources
  • The school's "Libguides" published a comprehensive list of anti-racism resources including "How to Be an Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi and "White Fragility" by Robin DiAngelo and Michael Eric Dyson.
  • The 2022-2023 Speaker Series at the School of Medicine covered a wide variety of topics and have featured such talks as "Socially Accountable Admissions" and “Promoting an Anti-bias and Inclusive Curriculum."
  • On April 2, 2024, Zucker SOM News published an article titled "Zucker School of Medicine Educator and New AADPRT President to Drive Equity in Recruiting and Training Future Psychiatrists."
  • On January 9, 2024, ZSOM hosted a lecture titled "Beyond the Model Minority Myth: Unveiling Anti-Asian Racism in Medical Education," which discussed the "implications of racism against Asian American medical students, including microaggressions feelings of invisibility and isolation in medical school environments."
  • ZSOM published the "Equity Handbook" which contains anti-racism resources, a DEI glossary of terms, and several other related resources.
Symbolic Actions
  • The Committee on Anti-Racism and Allyship will "critically review existing co-curricular programs and collaboratively create new programs that enhance and/or extend institutional efforts for anti-racism and allyship."
  • On June 30, 2023, the school signed on to the Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY) statement in response to the Supreme Court's decision regarding race-conscious admission policies, which stated the following: "The consortium of the 17 medical schools of New York State, is profoundly concerned that the United State Supreme Court decisions in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina will diminish opportunities for talented students pursuing careers in medicine and science. These decisions reject a longstanding precedent that recognized the compelling interest of ensuring diversity in higher education and may undermine recent advances to address inequities in medical education and research."
Last updated November 8th, 2024
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