Albert Einstein College of Medicine

For other institutes containing "Einstein" in the names, see Albert Einstein (disambiguation).

The Albert Einstein College of Medicine is a private medical school in New York City. Founded in 1953, Einstein operates as an independent degree-granting institution as part of the integrated healthcare Montefiore Health System (Montefiore Medicine)^[1] and also has affiliations with Jacobi Medical Center and Yeshiva University.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Type	Private medical school
Established	1953; 71 years ago (1953)
Parent institution	Montefiore Health System
Dean	Yaron Tomer
Academic staff	2,000+ full-time
Students	697 Doctor of Medicine 166 Doctor of Philosophy 130 M.D./Ph.D
Location	The Bronx, New York City , New York , US
Campus	Urban
Website	www.einsteinmed.edu

Einstein offers a M.D. program, a Ph.D. program in the biomedical sciences and clinical investigation, and two Master of Science (M.S.) degrees. Admission to Einstein’s MD program is amongst the most competitive in the United States, with an acceptance rate of 1.87% in 2024.^[2] Einstein ranks 13th among top U.S. medical schools for graduate success in academic medicine and biomedical research (i.e., awards, publications, grants, and clinical trials), and its NIH funding per investigator consistently ranks among the highest in the nation (7th among US universities in 2019).^[3][4][5][6] In 2023, the MD program matriculated 183 students from 9,785 applicants.^[7] The median undergraduate GPA of matriculants is 3.83, and the median MCAT score is in the 93rd percentile.^[8]

Einstein was one of the original three MD/PhD programs to be awarded funding from the National Institutes of Health in 1964, and has received continuous funding since then.^[9] The program is currently training over 100 MD/PhD students.^[10] Following a $1 billion donation to the school by Ruth Gottesman in 2024, the school became tuition-free for all MD students.^[11]

History

 

 

College namesake Albert Einstein in (1947) and New York Attorney General Nathaniel Goldstein, Governor Thomas Dewey, and Yeshiva University head Samuel Belkin during the college's groundbreaking (1953).

As early as 1945, Yeshiva University president Samuel Belkin began planning a new medical school. Six years later, Belkin and New York City Mayor Vincent Impellitteri entered into an agreement to begin its construction with funding from Henry H. Minskoff^[12] and Phillip Stollman.^[13] Around the same time, physicist and humanitarian Albert Einstein sent a letter to Belkin. He remarked that such an endeavor would be "unique" in that the school would "welcome students of all creeds and races".^[14] Two years later, on his 74th birthday, March 14, 1953, Albert Einstein agreed to have his name attached to the medical school.

The first classes began September 12, 1955, with 56 students. The first dean was Irving London. It was the first new medical school to open in New York City since 1897. The Sue Golding Graduate Division was established in 1957 to offer Doctor of Philosophy degrees in biomedical disciplines.^[15] The Medical Scientist Training Program, a combined MD–PhD program, was established in 1964.^[16] The Clinical Research Training Program, which confers Master of Science degrees in clinical research methods, began in July 1998.^[17]

The world's first coronary artery bypass surgery was performed May 2, 1960 at Einstein by a team led by Robert H. Goetz and the thoracic surgeon, Michael Rohman with the assistance of Jordan Haller and Ronald Dee.^[18][19]

In February 2015, Yeshiva University announced the transfer of ownership of Einstein to the Montefiore Health System, in order to eliminate a large deficit from the university's financial statements. The medical school accounted for approximately two-thirds of the university's annual operating deficits, which had reached about $100 million before the announcement.^[20] On September 9, 2015, the agreement between Yeshiva and Montefiore was finalized, and financial and operational control of Albert Einstein College of Medicine was transferred to Montefiore.^[21][22] Yeshiva University continued to grant Einstein's degrees until 2018, as the medical school achieved independent degree-granting authority in the spring of 2019.^[23][24]

In February 2024, Ruth Gottesman, who had been a long-time professor at the medical school and is head of the board of trustees, donated $1 billion to the school to make free tuition available to all students in perpetuity.^[11][25][26]

Student body

There are 183 first-year medical students in the Class of 2025. 9,773 people applied for seats, and 1,200 were interviewed. 60% of the class identify as women and 20% identify with groups underrepresented in medicine. Ages range from 21 to 34 with an average age of 23.5. 16% of students were born outside the United States and students come from 17 U.S. states.^[27]

Academics

 

 

The Michael F. Price Center for Genetic and Translational Medicine and Harold and Muriel Block Research Pavilion (top) and the main complex at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine

MD program

Applicants are expected to demonstrate a solid foundation in science, but there is no strict requirement on which prerequisite courses must be taken. This "competency-based" approach also provides candidates greater flexibility, for example, by substituting laboratory experience gained, while employed, for laboratory and or course requirements taken in school, or by substituting online courses that free up time to pursue interests that enhance the applicant's level of maturity and readiness for the medical profession.^[28][29]

Medical Scientist Training Program

Einstein's Medical Scientist Training Program was one of the original three programs funded by the NIH in 1964, and has been funded continuously since then.^[30] The program is designed to train investigators who could bridge the gap between basic science and clinical research by providing integrated graduate and clinical training. Einstein's program offers an integrated first-year curriculum covering both graduate and medical coursework. Second-year students complete the second year M.D. curriculum while working to select a Ph.D. thesis advisor. After performing one clinical clerkship, students commence their thesis research while completing any remaining coursework required for their graduate department. Students are expected to publish at least one first author, peer-reviewed paper. On average, students publish two first-author papers and four papers. After defending their dissertation, students complete the required clinical clerkships then have the opportunity to take "fourth-year" electives.^[31] While on dissertation status, students have the opportunity to attend a continuity clinic which ensures they stay in touch with patients and the clinical atmosphere.^[32]

Since the first graduating class in 1961, the Graduate Division of Biomedical Sciences has trained over 1600 students, including 400 M.D./Ph.D. students. The average time to complete the degree is 5.8 years, and students produce an average of four peer-reviewed papers and two first-author peer-reviewed papers.^[33] Students do not apply to a specific department, but rather to the Ph.D. program as a whole, permitting them to rotate across laboratories and disciplines to make an informed choice regarding their thesis laboratory.

Master's degree programs

The Clinical Research Training Program, founded in 1998, leads to the awarding of the Master of Science in Clinical Research Methods. This program involves spending one year after clerkships and some elective time during the fourth year completing courses in clinical research methods and driving a mentor-guided research project that leads to two first-author manuscripts. This program is offered at no additional cost to medical students and fellowship stipends are available.^[34]

In partnership with The Cardozo School of Law, Einstein offers a Master of Science in Bioethics that focuses on transnational work in bioethics to help professionals improve care and communication.^[35]

PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences

Applicants apply directly to the PhD program, not to a specific department. This allows graduate students to gain exposure many areas of research before making an informed decision about the thesis work.^[36] There are more than 200 biomedical laboratories for students to choose.^[37]

PhD Program in Clinical Investigation

The Ph.D. concentration in Clinical Investigation provides advanced training that prepares students for an independent research career in clinical and translational science. It is offered for Ph.D. students enrolled in Einstein’s graduate division and for M.D./Ph.D. students in Einstein’s Medical Scientist Training Program.^[38]

Affiliations

 

The adjacent Jacobi Medical Center

Montefiore Health System

Einstein's parent institute, Montefiore Health System, is a private healthcare system and one of the largest employers in New York. It comprises 15 member hospitals, including Montefiore Medical Center and Children's Hospital at Montefiore,^[39] and more than 200 outpatient ambulatory care sites that provide coordinated, comprehensive care to patients and their families across the Bronx, Westchester and the Hudson Valley.^[1]

Jacobi Medical Center

Jacobi Medical Center, a public hospital adjacent to Einstein, provides healthcare for some 1.2 million Bronx and New York City area residents.

NIH-designated centers

The college hosts several NIH-designated centers:^[40]

• Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Center for AIDS Research
• Diabetes Research Center
• Harold and Muriel Block Institute for Clinical and Translational Research at Einstein and Montefiore
• Institute for Aging Research
• Marion Bessin Liver Research Center
• New York Regional Center for Diabetes Translation Research
• Rose F. Kennedy Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center^[41]

Notable alumni

 

Alumni include Rudolph Leibel (pictured), who discovered the hormone leptin.

A number of Einstein alumni have made significant scientific discoveries and technological innovations. Rudolph Leibel discoveree the hormone leptin and cloned the genes of it and its receptors.^[42] George Kuo co-discovered the hepatitis C virus.^[43] Sankar Ghosh, currently a professor at Columbia University, conducted fundamental research on transcription factor NF-KB.^[44] Raymond Vahan Damadian invented magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);^[45] alumnus Ronald J. Ross was the first to apply it in a clinical setting.^[46]

Notable physicians include anesthesiologist Gary Hartstein, who served FIA Medical Delegate for the Formula One World Championship.^[47] Notable psychologist alumni include Daniel Stern.^[48] Other notable alumni include Howard Dean—former governor of Vermont, 2004 presidential candidate, and Democratic National Committee chairman—and Cave of the Patriarchs Massacre perpetrator Baruch Goldstein.^[49][50]

See also

•  New York City portal

• List of Albert Einstein College of Medicine people
• Medical education in the United States
• Montefiore Medical Center

References

1. "Montefiore Medical Center". www.montefiore.org. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
2. >"Medical School Acceptance Rates in 2024".
3. Goldstein, Matthew J.; Lunn, Mitchell R.; Peng, Lily (May 2015). "Top 25 US Medical Schools by Normalized Composite Score". Academic Medicine. 90 (5): 603–608. doi:10.1097/ACM.0000000000000646. PMID 25607941. S2CID 205437374.
4. Goldstein, Matthew J.; Lunn, Mitchell R.; Peng, Lily (May 2015). "What Makes a Top Research Medical School? A Call for a New Model to Evaluate Academic Physicians and Medical School Performance". Academic Medicine. 90 (5): 603–608. doi:10.1097/ACM.0000000000000646. ISSN 1040-2446. PMID 25607941.
5. "Yeshiva University (Einstein)". U.S. News & World Report.
6. "Einstein Ranks 7th in NIH Awards Per Principal Investigator Among Top U.S. Medical Schools". Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
7. "Einstein MD Class of 2027 Profile".
8. >"Einstein MD Admissions Course Requirements".
9. Harding, C. V.; Akabas, M. H.; Andersen, O. S. (2017). "History and Outcomes of Fifty Years of Physician-Scientist Training in Medical Scientist Training Programs". Academic Medicine: Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges. 92 (10): 1390–1398. doi:10.1097/ACM.0000000000001779. PMC 5617793. PMID 28658019.
10. "Einstein Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)".
11. Goldstein, Joseph (February 26, 2024). "$1 Billion Donation Will Provide Free Tuition at a Bronx Medical School". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
12. New York Times: "Henry H. Minskoff, 73, Head of Major Building Company" by Glenn Fowler August 15, 1984.
13. "Phillip Stollman Dies, Held Many Top Posts". Jewish Post (Indianapolis). May 13, 1998.
14. "Bronx Info". Retrieved September 21, 2022.
15. "History: Albert Einstein College of Medicine". Retrieved November 19, 2016.
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17. "C.R.T.P. Home — Clinical & Translational Research — Albert Einstein College of Medicine". Retrieved January 9, 2011.
18. Dee R (2003). "Who assisted whom?". Texas Heart Institute Journal. 30 (1): 90. PMC 152850. PMID 12638685.
19. Haller JD, Olearchyk AS (2002). "Cardiology's 10 greatest discoveries". Texas Heart Institute Journal. 29 (4): 342–4. PMC 140304. PMID 12484626.
20. Yeshiva U. Finally Closes Deal To Shed Burden of Money-Losing Einstein Medical School The Jewish Daily Forward, 4 February 2015.
21. "Yeshiva University, Montefiore Finalize New Agreement for Albert Einstein College of Medicine". news-medical.net. September 10, 2015. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
22. "Yeshiva University, Montefiore finalize new agreement for Albert Einstein College of Medicine". September 10, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
23. Spiegel, Allen M. (September 9, 2015). "Promising Future for "New" Einstein" (PDF). Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
24. "Albert Einstein College of Medicine Achieves Independent Degree-Granting Authority" (Press release). Albert Einstein College of Medicine. March 4, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
25. Oladipo, Gloria (February 26, 2024). "$1bn donation means students at New York medical school will pay no tuition". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
26. "Widow of top Warren Buffett investor donates $1 billion to cover tuition for all future students of Albert Einstein College of Medicine". Fortune. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
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41. "Overview | Rose F. Kennedy Children's Evaluation & Rehabilitation Center | Albert Einstein College of Medicine". www.einsteinmed.edu. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
42. Shell E (January 1, 2002). "Chapter 4: On the Cutting Edge" and "Chapter 5: Hunger". The Hungry Gene: The Inside Story of the Obesity Industry. Atlantic Monthly Press. ISBN 978-1422352434.
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46. "Former Fulbright Association President Highlights Importance of Planned Giving and Provides Bequest for Association" (PDF). The Fulbrighters' Newsletter. XXV (2). Fulbright Association: 10. Summer 2004. (PDF) from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
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48. Martin, Douglas (November 18, 2012). "Daniel Stern, Who Studied World of Babies, Dies at 78". The New York Times. from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
49. Wilgoren, Jodi (January 13, 2004). "The 2004 Campaign: The Ex-Governor's Wife - The Other Doctor in Dean's House Shuns Politics". The New York Times. from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
50. Haberman, Clyde (July 3, 1994). "June 26 – July 2: Hebron Massacre; Israel Says Gunman Acted by Himself". The New York Times. from the original on November 19, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2024.

External links

• Official website  
• YouTube EDU—Einstein YouTube page.
• D. Samuel Gottesman Library—official website.
• Montefiore Medical Center—official website.
• —educational informatics website.
• Einstein Medical Scientist Training Program (MD–PhD) November 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine—official website.
• GSC—Einstein Graduate Student Council—student-body's resource-rich website.
• EPA—Einstein Postdoc Association—Einstein postdoc website.
• AECOMmunity—Einstein medical student Website—student-run resource website.
• ECHO free clinic

40°51′03″N 73°50′42″W / 40.850852°N 73.844949°W / 40.850852; -73.844949