Launching Medical Careers at a Time of Growing Healthcare Needs

The RSOM graduates new MDs who persevered during  an unprecedented worldwide pandemic

STONY BROOK, N.Y., May 26, 2022 – This July 132 new physicians will start their residency training at leading healthcare institutions in New York State and around the country. They are graduates  from the Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM) at Stony Brook University’s Class of 2022, who celebrated their convocation on May 18, the 48^th in the school’s history. The RSOM also celebrates that more than 20 percent of this class will be staying at Stony Brook Medicine for their residencies.

The need for physicians remains strong nationwide, largely because of the continued growth of an aging population. The two-year Covid-19 pandemic has also raised awareness of the importance of primary care practitioners, infectious disease specialists, emergency care doctors, and the need to build a strong pool of physicians nationwide – the new RSOM graduates add to this pool of practicing physicians.

“All of you have found spots in extremely competitive, prestigious programs both at Stony Brook an at other top programs,” said William Wertheim, MD, Interim Dean of the RSOM at the convocation ceremony. “This reflects the high regard you have in the medical community at large, because of who you are and where you have done your medical education. Some of you have demonstrated a commitment to the community in which we live; some of you to the global community. And in all, you have shone brightly in multiple areas.”

Collectively, the Class of 2022 will begin their medical careers in some 20 specialty practices. Nearly one-third of the class will be entering primary care practices, such as Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. Outside of primary care, Emergency Medicine had the most placements with 15.

The graduates landed residency positions all over New York State and in 17 other states. Thirty-one graduates will remain at Stony Brook and practice in numerous specialties. Joshua McGough, is the first RSOM graduate to complete the three-year MD program and join Emergency Medicine at Stony Brook as an intern. Other graduates starting residencies at Stony Brook include Marilyn Day (Obstetrics-Gynecology), William Nunn (Pediatrics) and Rachel Spector (Psychiatry).

Anne Schuchat, MD, the retired Principal Deputy Director, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, delivered the Convocation Address.

“All of you are on the verge of beginning your careers at an extraordinary time in medicine, in which we are all learning and doing around Covid-19 at the same time, teachers and students alike,” said Dr. Schuchat. “It has been an unusual and challenging experience you have had as students. Go forward into your careers. Be optimistic, be grateful, be humble, and be yourselves.”

Of note is that the Class also had 10 graduates who completed the RSOM’s MD/PhD program,  an academic track known as the Medical Scientist Training Program, a higher number than in a typical year. Additionally, five graduates will enter the field of Neurosurgery, four of whom are women.

Hal Paz, MD, Executive Vice President, Health Sciences, Stony Brook University, and Chief Executive Officer, Stony Brook University Medicine, closed the convocation ceremony and congratulated the graduates.

“All of you are beginning a career in medicine at a time when the need for physicians has never been greater, and the skills you have learned while at Stony Brook have laid the foundation for your career,” said Dr. Paz. “I am delighted to learn that many of you are beginning your careers right here at Stony Brook.

“Today and throughout the past few terms we have marveled at your resilience as a class, and it is this resilience that has formed you and has created the physicians you will become. We are proud of your accomplishments and wish you every success in your career in medicine. Your patients are waiting for you.”