Info about NYMC

[DoctorPardi]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I noticed that NYMC has something to do with christianity (I think specifically catholicism) in the MSAR. I wondered what type of role their religious connection plays in the school's curriculum if at all?

This may be a little bit of an odd ball question because I have no idea what role religion plays in medical schools usually. That is, Loma Linda is known to be a christian school, but as a medical student do you take some courses on religion? Or is it simply that they have a christian persuasion? I guess I am saying I have no frame of reference for what a connection to a church means in determining a schools curriculum and if it would be a good fit for me.

So to make it easy, I have two questions:
1) What role the does the (catholic?) church play in NYMC's medical school?
2) Traditionally what role has church played in other medical schools such as Loma Linda?

Thanks

 

[Doglover4fever]

I noticed that NYMC has something to do with christianity (I think specifically catholicism) in the MSAR. I wondered what type of role their religious connection plays in the school's curriculum if at all?

This may be a little bit of an odd ball question because I have no idea what role religion plays in medical schools usually. That is, Loma Linda is known to be a christian school, but as a medical student do you take some courses on religion? Or is it simply that they have a christian persuasion? I guess I am saying I have no frame of reference for what a connection to a church means in determining a schools curriculum and if it would be a good fit for me.

So to make it easy, I have two questions:
1) What role the does the (catholic?) church play in NYMC's medical school?
2) Traditionally what role has church played in other medical schools such as Loma Linda?


Hello. I was recently accepted to NYMC, so I think I can answer your question. I am half Jewish (Jewish last name), but I don't practice any religion. NYMC is associated with the archdiose, so it has affiliations with some catholic hospitals. That is pretty much it. The school has students from all backgrounds, and when I was there, religion was not even mentioned. They were founded under the "catholic tradition," but this does not alter the curriculum in any way. There are no religion classes.

Loma Linda, on the other hand, is very entrenched in the seventh day adventist church. From what I have heard, you are not only asked about religion in your interview and secondary, you have to provide an LOR from a pastor! They also have mandatory "christianity" classes there as well. Basically, you have to be a christian to get in. If you are not a SDA, or at least a devout christian, you are likely to feel extremely lonely and alienated in the Loma Linda community. Nobody drinks alcohol, dances, or even consumes caffein because of the SDA rules. As you can tell, I avoided them at all costs.

 

[boyz of 4d]

The poster is exactly right. I'm an MS1(non christian). The only other thing that wasnt mentioned is that some of our teachers in some classes, anatomy being the biggest one are taught by catholic affiliated people. For example, our anatomy professer of a franciscan monk (spelling?). He is though, one of the smartest people you will meet here, and a student favorite. There are also a few priests/such who are discussion leaders in ethics and such, although they dont impose their beliefs on you (at least mine didnt.)

 

[DoctorPardi]

Ok cool, I really was just wondering. I knew I probably wouldn't fit in at Loma Linda, and didn't have any clue if most medical schools that were "associated" with a church on some level had a high level of religiosity to their school or not.

Anyway thanks for the info guys 🙂 .

 

[MossPoh]

My dad is Jewish and went to NYMC and had never mentioned that...intriguing. Of course he went there when it was still on 5th ave in nyc as well...

 

[SemperJeff]

It is true that Loma Linda is "entrenched" in the Seventh-day Adventist church. But, you are not required to have an LOR from a pastor. (I just got through the application process). That said, many Adventist applicants do include an LOR from their church pastor because usually the church pastor knows them well. And no, you do not have to be a Christian to get in...

Loma Linda, on the other hand, is very entrenched in the seventh day adventist church. From what I have heard, you are not only asked about religion in your interview and secondary, you have to provide an LOR from a pastor! They also have mandatory "christianity" classes there as well. Basically, you have to be a christian to get in. If you are not a SDA, or at least a devout christian, you are likely to feel extremely lonely and alienated in the Loma Linda community. Nobody drinks alcohol, dances, or even consumes caffein because of the SDA rules. As you can tell, I avoided them at all costs.

 

[4paw]

O.k. is there anyone gay? catholic and gay? just gay? i was raised catholic, and i like how the christianity comes in - seems to be in humanistic ways, not necessarily religious. but i didn't submit because of the lgbt thing. i'm curious whether there are any lgbt in the student body.

 

[BOBODR]

O.k. is there anyone gay? catholic and gay? just gay? i was raised catholic, and i like how the christianity comes in - seems to be in humanistic ways, not necessarily religious. but i didn't submit because of the lgbt thing. i'm curious whether there are any lgbt in the student body.

If they didnt why would they have a club?

 

[4paw]

sometimes the club is more for people supporting lgbt, not necessarily being lgbt. in fact, a club like this could be in existence because of anti-lgbt sentiment....i don't think the club tells me what i want to know, as much as knowing that there are actually lgbt students.

 

[4paw]

From the Website:

P.E.O.P.L.E. in Medicine

As a NYMC student organization, we actively work to improve healthcare delivery to GLBT patient populations through outreach activities, addressing community health issues and concerns, and participating in volunteer/mentoring opportunities within the GLBT community. Our organization communicates and collaborates with other health professionals, creating a positive, safe, and proactive environment for patients in which the highest quality of care can be delivered, and a safe, supportive atmosphere in which our fellow students can foster their personal and professional growth. We educate both current and future physicians on the special healthcare needs of GLBT patients through conferences, discussions, and focused educational experiences, creating competent and compassionate physicians.



***The focus in this is all on patients, an creating a safe and supportive atmosphere for personal and professional growth for students....really no emphasis on lgbt doctors and students...gotta wonder about why the emphasis is on patients, with no mention of students and doctors. and the club does not have lgbt in the title...sounds like some current activism going on. still wondering whether there's lgbt students, and if they were out - i.e. e.c.s that have lgbt all over the place in the org titles - when they applied... still interested **************

 

[ms1finally]

From the Website:

P.E.O.P.L.E. in Medicine

As a NYMC student organization, we actively work to improve healthcare delivery to GLBT patient populations through outreach activities, addressing community health issues and concerns, and participating in volunteer/mentoring opportunities within the GLBT community. Our organization communicates and collaborates with other health professionals, creating a positive, safe, and proactive environment for patients in which the highest quality of care can be delivered, and a safe, supportive atmosphere in which our fellow students can foster their personal and professional growth. We educate both current and future physicians on the special healthcare needs of GLBT patients through conferences, discussions, and focused educational experiences, creating competent and compassionate physicians.



***The focus in this is all on patients, an creating a safe and supportive atmosphere for personal and professional growth for students....really no emphasis on lgbt doctors and students...gotta wonder about why the emphasis is on patients, with no mention of students and doctors. and the club does not have lgbt in the title...sounds like some current activism going on. still wondering whether there's lgbt students, and if they were out - i.e. e.c.s that have lgbt all over the place in the org titles - when they applied... still interested **************

Yes, there are LGBT students, yes, some of them are out. I know specificially of students in the 1st, 2nd, and 4th years and have to think that there are some in the 3rd as well (I just don't know/know of them).

 

[plainolerichie]

Well, does the school's administration have a conservative slant if any at all? I remember someone mentioned that in some other forum.

 

[MacchinaDaCaffe]

I noticed that NYMC has something to do with christianity (I think specifically catholicism) in the MSAR. I wondered what type of role their religious connection plays in the school's curriculum if at all?

This may be a little bit of an odd ball question because I have no idea what role religion plays in medical schools usually. That is, Loma Linda is known to be a christian school, but as a medical student do you take some courses on religion? Or is it simply that they have a christian persuasion? I guess I am saying I have no frame of reference for what a connection to a church means in determining a schools curriculum and if it would be a good fit for me.

So to make it easy, I have two questions:
1) What role the does the (catholic?) church play in NYMC's medical school?
2) Traditionally what role has church played in other medical schools such as Loma Linda?

Thanks

Their religious connection seems to be primarily practical and having arose out of financial difficulties. I got this from http://www.nymc.edu/today/today.asp
I agree with the above posters who say that there is apparently no religious bias in terms of students that they accept. I don't know about curricula issues such as abortion/contraception though.


Some Financially Turbulent Years

During the ‘60s and 70s, the College experienced some financial difficulties. Resources were increasingly being expended to operate Flower and Fifth Avenue Hospitals and to invest in expensive new technologies and faculty salaries were being supplemented to subsidize private practice income. The College began to consider a relocation of its city campus around the mid-1960s, and ultimately selected an opportunity presented from Westchester County.

Financial problems at Flower and Fifth Avenue Hospitals continued, exacerbated by declining hospital admissions. Funds were being diverted from the medical school at an alarming rate and soon it was estimated that the College was subsidizing hospital operations at a rate of more than $1 million a month. The College was on the brink of bankruptcy. The Board of Trustees considered a number of options, most requiring a takeover by another institution.

Relationship with the Archdiocese of New York

The Board of Trustees decided to attempt to interest the Archdiocese of New York in College affairs. In 1978, Terence Cardinal Cooke, Archbishop of New York, took a personal interest in the College and agreed to foster a relationship that would be important to ensuring the continued excellence of the extensive Catholic hospital system. The Archdiocese assured the College’s future by helping the school restructure its debt, strengthening its Board of Trustees and adding many Catholic hospitals to the College’s affiliations. It also took over the operation of Flower and Fifth Avenue Hospitals, converting it to a specialty hospital serving the developmentally disabled (it is now known as Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center.)

The College adopted a statement of policy to clarify and strengthen its relationship with the Archdiocese of New York in 1986. This statement highlights important goals and commitments the College shares with the Archdiocese. From that time, the College became known as an institution “in the Catholic tradition.”

In the Catholic Tradition

New York Medical College, according to the statement, “in recognition of the trust it holds and its responsibility for contributing to the public good, has committed itself, its programs and its services first and foremost to the recognition of the inherent worth and dignity of each human person.” Further, it “strives to communicate that principle...by setting an institutional example of special concern for the poor, the powerless and the helpless.” The College pledged that it would also endeavor to achieve excellence and would “pursue the search for knowledge in a spirit of academic freedom.”