Ruth Gottesman’s monumental $1 billion contribution to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine marks a groundbreaking moment, ensuring free tuition for both present and future students. David Begnaud delves into the significance of this generous gift and talks to a student directly impacted by this life-changing donation.
https://abc7.com/new-kaiser-school-pasadena-bernard-j-tyson-of-medicine-permanente-medical/6336881/
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The new Kaiser Permanente medical school in Pasadena opened its doors to faculty and students for the first time Monday, with free tuition through 2024.
The Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine opened for its inaugural class of 50 students in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, which officials say presents “unparalleled challenges.”
The pandemic has forced the school to make adjustments, including adopting a “hybrid model” that includes in-class and virtual programs and more frequent cleaning, Walter Harris, the school’s senior vice president of administration and finance, told City News Service. He said some classes could be held with some students in one classroom and others watching from another classroom via Zoom.
The school has waived tuition, fees and disability insurance for students entering through the fall of 2024, and students in those classes will receive a waiver for the cost of a health plan from Kaiser Permanente unless they have an equivalent health plan, according to the school’s website.
The four-story, state-of-the-art building could accommodate twice as many students, which easily enables physical distancing, Harris said.
Students have been advised they need to wear face masks, and the school will have plenty of hand sanitizer and wipes available, he added.
None of the students objected to the school opening as scheduled, according to Harris, who said they are “very excited to get their medical careers started.”
The school includes an anatomy resource center in which traditional cadaver dissection will be replaced with newer methods that are more clinically relevant, along with a rooftop garden with a meditation, yoga and fitness area for student and faculty “wellness.”
Students are set to begin interacting with patients during their third week of school and to learn from Kaiser Permanente physicians and care teams at six of its medical center campuses, including Los Angeles, West L.A. and Downey.
The program will pick 40 first- and second-year students in each medical class through a competitive application process.
Selection criteria include financial need, academic merit, diversity, and predictors of whether the applicant will stay in Geisinger’s service area.
The program will provide full coverage of tuition and fees plus a monthly $2,000 stipend through four years of medical school.
Geisinger and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine have created the Geisinger Primary Care Scholars Program that will offer debt-free medical school and living assistance to medical students who agree to work within primary care at the health system after they graduate.
Medical students often carry $200,000 or more in debt, which pushes them into higher-paying specialties. Geisinger President and CEO Jaewon Ryu, MD, says that removing the financial strain in exchange for a four-year commitment to practice at Geisinger will make it easier for more med students to pursue primary care.
“At Geisinger, we’ve been able to prove that by focusing on primary care we can improve outcomes, lower costs and improve satisfaction among patients and providers,” Ryu said.
“We’ve built some innovative programs that expand upon the notion of what is primary care and where it is delivered. With all of these different offerings, we are thrilled to welcome anyone who shares this passion around new and exciting ways to deliver this core care,” Ryu said.
“So, it’s only natural that we extend that commitment to training the next generation of physicians. These scholars have the opportunity to learn and later work in Geisinger’s innovative primary care environment without the worry of how they will pay for their education,” he said.
The program will pick 40 first- and second-year students in each incoming medical class through a competitive application process. Selection criteria include demonstrated financial need, academic merit, diversity, passion for serving their communities, and predictors of whether the applicant is likely to stay in Geisinger’s service area.
The program will provide full coverage of tuition and fees plus a monthly $2,000 stipend through the four years of medical school.
“I can’t think of a better opportunity for these scholars to pursue their commitment to primary care than by providing debt-free medical schooling,” said Steven J. Scheinman, MD, executive vice president and chief academic officer at Geisinger and Dean of the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.
Last year Geisinger started the Abigail Geisinger Scholars Program. Which gives 10 students in each class up to four years of tuition in the form of a loan, which is forgiven upon completion of a service commitment as a Geisinger physician in any specialty.
HENRY KOTULA 