Medical College to Open on 125th Street

The first medical college to be approved in New York state in the last 30 years will open its doors in Harlem this September-and officials say it will encourage future physicians to practice medicine in underserved areas. Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine will be located on 125th Street across from the historic Apollo Theater.

"We chose Central Harlem because there is a crying need for new physicians in Harlem," Dr. Jay Sexter, CEO of the new medical school, said. According to Sexter, the school is attempting to recruit qualified minority applicants while giving priority to students of any background who express commitment to practicing medicine in communities where health care resources are scarce. Founded by Touro College, a faith-based institution, the medical school will approach ethical questions from a Jewish point of view and will follow the Jewish holiday schedule.

"As one of the first human rights commissioners in New York City, this medical college is part of my personal commitment to fight discrimination," Dr. Bernard Lander, founder and president of Touro College and a Columbia alumnus, said. "We have a long interest in helping to educate minorities and underachievers."

But Dr. Daniel Laroche, president of Empire State Medical Association, part of a national organization that represents 25,000 African-American physicians, is afraid this kind of outreach may not be enough.

"So far there are over a dozen medical schools in New York, but they train few minorities and make little effort to educate the pool of possible future applicants," Laroche said. "Public schools have not adjusted their curriculum to prepare students for careers in medicine."

Laroche said he would like to see an institution like Howard University of Washington, which has a history of supporting African-Americans in health care, come to Harlem. However, he said he is supportive of any attempt to help minorities enter careers as physicians.

"There are many health care disparities in Harlem and I support anything that can help motivate and inspire kids," he said. "I think Harlem can and will benefit from this new institution, if it actually benefits the people that live in Harlem. They have a tremendous task in front of them."

But officials from Touro College say they are confident it will be accepted by the community. "Some people will resent our being here, but the community response so far has been fabulous," says Sexter. "I now live in the community. We are going to be part of this community."

While rolling admissions for the fall 2007 semester will continue until June, of the 800 applications received so far, the majority are not from minority populations in Harlem, something Touro is attempting to change.

Touro college also has plans for an undergraduate institution that would allow area seniors an opportunity to enroll in a seven-year medical school program after high school.