Our Medical School
Establishedin2008,theDonaldandBarbara ZuckerSchoolofMedicineat Hofstra/Northwellwasfoundedbytwo equalpartners:HofstraUniversityand NorthwellHealth.
TheSchoolofMedicineisbuiltuponthe strongclinicalandgraduatemedical educationprogramsofNorthwell,aswellas therobustresearchandacademic programsofbothHofstraandNorthwell’s FeinsteinInstitutesforMedicalResearch andColdSpringHarborLaboratories.
TheZuckerSchoolofMedicinehasbeen rankedamongthebestmedicalschoolsfor researchnationwidefortenyears(20162025)byU.S.News&WorldReport, achievingtop-tierstatusforthepasttwo years(2024-2025).
Theinstitutioncomprisesmorethan4,000 facultymembersacross25academic departmentsandenrollsadiverse communityofover400students.
Vision & Mission
MISSION VISION
TheSchoolofMedicine,ina cultureofcommunity,scholarship andinnovation,isdedicatedto inspiringdiverse,promising studentstoleadandtransform medicineforthebettermentof humanity.
TheSchoolofMedicineaimsto establishitselfasarevered institutionofhighermedical educationbymeansof accomplishingthefollowing visionaryobjectives:
Tobeapremier"MillennialMedical School"
Tobeamajorcontributortothe redefiningofmedicaleducation
Tohavepositivelychangedthe University,NorthwellHealthandthe community
Tohaveimprovedthehealthofthe region
Strategic Planning
ZuckerSchoolofMedicine
2019-24StrategicPlan OutcomesReport
TheZuckerSchoolofMedicine(ZSOM)has achievedremarkablesuccessinfulfillingthe objectivesoutlinedinits2019-2024Strategic Plan,andthecollecteddatareflects meaningfulprogressandimpactful achievementsacrossmultipledomains.
Thisreporthighlightsoutcomesthat demonstratetheschool’scommitmentto creatinganenvironmentofexcellencethat fostersinnovation.Theoutcomesaffirmthe school’sdedicationtofosteringadynamic andinclusivemedicaleducationexperience andsetastrongfoundationforfuture strategicinitiatives,ensuringcontinued growthandimpact.
Strategic
Domains
ExcelinResearch&Discoveryto AdvancethePracticeofMedicine
inMedicalEducation ptimize udent perienc stinOur ultyand f
Maintain Academic Excellence inMedical Education
ZSOMiscommittedtofosteringa cultureoflifelonglearningwhere studentsevolveintoleadersand innovatorsintheirfield, achievingthehighestlevelsof clinicalexcellence.
QualityofEducationProgram
ZSOMranksinthetop10%ofmedicalschools inthecountryinstudentsatisfactionwiththe qualityoftheirmedicaleducationprogram.
ResidencyMatchSuccess
100%ofgraduatessecuredresidenciesoverthelastfiveyears,exceeding nationalaverageinnearlyallspecialties.
>98%matchedthroughtheNationalResidentMatchingProgram(NRMP), includingearlymatchesinhighlycompetitivespecialtiesofophthalmology, urology,andmilitarybranches,withagrowingpercentageenteringother highlycompetitivespecialtiessuchasorthopedicsurgery,otolaryngology, neurosurgeryandcardiothoracicsurgery.
DuringGraduateMedicalEducation(GME)transition,ZSOMgraduates exceedthenationalbenchmarksformeetingoverallexpectationsduring internships.
Increasingnumberofgraduateshonoredwithselectiontobechiefresidents, includingonesinhighlycompetitiveinstitutionssuchastheChildren’s HospitalofPhiladelphia(CHOP). Fromtheclassesof2015-2020,18ZSOM alumwereselectedaschiefresidents.
USMLEPerformance
ZSOMstudentsconsistentlyachievehighermedianperformance(andpass rates)comparedtothenationalaverageonStep1&2exams.
CurriculumInnovation
Yearoveryear,ZSOMistopinthenationatachievingitsgoalofintegrating basicandclinicalsciencesintothecurriculumthroughoutallfouryearsof medicalschool.
SolemedicalschooltorunCPRandEMTtrainingcapstoneMassCasualty IncidentTrainingDayattheNassauCountyFireServiceAcademy(NCFSA).
Maintain Academic Excellence inMedical
Education
CurriculumInnovation (continued)
Patient-CenteredExplorationinActive ReasoningandLearningSynthesis (PEARLS)small-group,case-based learningservesasamodelforother medicalschools,andZSOMhostsfrequent visitsfromothermedicalschoolsthatwant tolearnhowtobuildasimilarprogram.
EvolutionofPEARLS’innovativelearningmodel,whichreceivedaneducation innovationawardfromtheNortheastGrouponEducationalAffairs.
Expansionofpoint-of-careultrasoundtrainingandnovelsurgicalskills programforsecond-yearstudents,whichincludestraininginroboticsurgery.
DevelopmentofPainandAddictionCareEducation(PACE)programtotrain third-yearmedicalstudentstoprevent,identify,treat,andsupportthe recoveryofpeoplewithsubstanceusedisorders.
Creationofanewflippedclassroommodelofactivelearning,resultingin ~12-15%improvementinchallengingproblem-solvingquestionsvs. traditionalapproach.
IntegrationofeducationaltechnologyintothecurriculumtoalignZSOM instructionwithmoderntechnologicaladvances.
CreationofhighlyratednovelGALEN(TheGroupforAnatomicalLearning, Embryology,andNecessaryProceduralSkills)program,whichallowsthirdyearstudentstoreturntostructuralsciencesrelevanttotheirclerkships—a featothermedicalschoolshavenotyetachieved.
Thefirst-yearcurriculumincludes160+hoursofInitialClinicalExperiences, offeringearlier,discipline-specific,andmoreextensiveclinicalexposure thananyotherschoolnationally.
GraduationwithDistinction
Onaverage,12%ofthegraduatingclassreceivesthishonorannuallyfor excellenceinresearchorcommunityengagement.
Maintain Academic Excellence inMedical Education
Diversity&Inclusion
Namedoneofthemostdiversemedical schoolsintheU.S.andrankedfourthin NewYorkStatebyU.S.News&World Report2024.
Steadyincreaseinparticipationofstudentsin MedicalScholarsPipelineProgram(MSPP) matriculationintomedicalschool.
EstablishedCollegePipelineProgram(CPP)andprematriculationprogramtosupportpreparationfor medicalschool.
IncreasedtheattractivenessofZSOMfordiverseapplicantsmeasuredby thematriculation:acceptanceratio.
CommitteeonAnti-racismandAllyship(CARA)wasestablishedinJune 2020toaddressstructuralracism,promoteallyship,andenhancethe climateofinclusionwithintheZSOMcommunity.
NorthwellHealthMartinLutherKingandAssociatedMedicalSchoolsofNew York(AMSNY)DiversityinMedicinescholarshipssupportUnderrepresentedin Medicine(URiM)students.
Virtualrealitytrainingforfacultyonbiasandracism.
LaunchedandtrackedmentorshipprogramstoenhanceinclusionatZSOM. LaunchedFacultyandStaffprofessionaldevelopmentprograms.
Optimize Student Experience
ZSOMseekstooptimizeeachstudent’s academicjourneybyproviding meaningfulextracurricularengagement, financialsupport,andenhancedfacilities.
StudentWell-being
Identifiedsevendimensionsofwell-being,including emotional,physical,spiritual,financial,occupational, social,andintellectualwellness.Programmingledbythe OfficeofStudentAffairsprovidesopportunities,tools,and servicestocontributetoincreasedstudentwellness.
Openedtelehealthacrossallmentalhealthservices,establishedadedicated BehavioralHealthCollegeProgramstaffmemberforZSOMintakes,and addedtheHeadspaceapp.
CreationofEnhancingStudentWell-BeingElective,developmentoffinancial wellnessseries,andcurricularwellnesssessions,tosupportstudentwellbeing.
Wellnesselectivereceivesconsistenthighratingsfromstudentsbasedupon promotingpeermentorshipandsupportingprofessionaldevelopment.
StudentParticipation&Engagement
92student-rungroups,clubs,andcommittees.
Hundredsofstudent-organizedevents,engagingover3,700participants, including850communitymembers.
Expandedcommunityservice-learningactivities,includinginterprofessional student-runclinicsandpipelineprogramsforlocalstudents.
Optimize Student
Experience
53%ofMDstudentsreceiveendowed scholarships.
91%ofstudentsreceivefinancial assistance.
Tuitionandfeesrankwithinthelowest15% ofprivatemedicalschoolsnationwide.
Graduateborrower’sdebtis35%lessonaverage thanotherprivatemedicalschools.
AlumniEngagement
Monthlynewsletters,reunions,andnetworkingeventsfosterstrong alumniconnections.
Enhancementofalumniengagementtrackingthroughalumnidatabase.
FacilityEnhancements
ModernizedaudiovisualsystemsinStructureLabandlargegroup classroomtosupportflexible,high-qualityteachingandlearning.
Expandedandimprovedoutdoorrecreationalandgatheringspaces.
Upgradedandexpandedstudentloungeandsharedstudentspaces.
Enhancedbuildingfoodserviceoptionsandoperations.
Improveddedicatedstudyandsecurestoragespaceatclinicalsites.
in Our
Faculty and Staff
ZSOMiscommittedtorecruiting, retaining,anddevelopingadiverse, highlyqualifiedfacultyandstaff whilepromotingtheirwell-being andprofessionaldevelopment.
Faculty&StaffDevelopment
70+facultydevelopmentprogramswith7501,000participantsannually.
99facultyacceptedintotheAcademyofMedical Educatorswhichincludesfundingtosupport evolvingmedicaleducationandpractice.
Quarterlyprogrammingforstaffdevelopmentonleadershiptraining, personalityassessments,andgivingandreceivingfeedback.
Forward-thinkingfacultyappointmentandpromotionprocessthatrewards facultymembersforteaching,clinicalexcellence,aswellastraditional academicpursuits.
Over90%offacultyseekingpromotionaresuccessful,andmentorshipis availableforfacultywhodonotyetmeetthecriteria.Promotionsfrom20192024:AssociateProfessor–245,Professor–107.
WellnessInitiatives
TheZSOMWellnessCommitteesupportsfacultyandstaffacrossseven wellnesspillars:physical,nutritional,intellectual,financial,emotional, environmental,communityandsocial,viaevents,challenges,personaland professionalworkshopsandseminars,aswellassocialaffairs.
Establishedwellnessprogrammingandannualwalkingchallengethat98% ofparticipantsreportmotivatedthemtobemoreactive.
ParentingGroupestablishedanddevelopedinitiativestohelpsupport facultyandstaffcaregivers.
FacilityEnhancements
Designedandconstructedtwonewprivatefacultyandstaffloungespaces.
Establishedapermanent,dedicatedlactationspace.
Excel in
Research & Discovery
to Advance the Practice of Medicine
ResearchGrowth
ZSOMremainsdedicatedto pioneeringresearchthatadvances medicaleducationandpatientcare.
NationalRecognition
Oneofonly16U.S.medicalschools recognizedintheTopTierforBestMedical SchoolsforResearchbyU.S.News&World Report2024.
Ninthconsecutiveyearofrecognitionfor researchexcellencebyU.S.News&World Report(2016-2024).
FeinsteinInstitutesforMedicalResearchisaleaderingenetics,oncology, brainresearch,mentalhealth,andautoimmunity,andistheglobal scientificleaderinbioelectronicmedicine.Itcomprises50researchlabs, 3,000clinicalstudies,andover5,000researchersandstaff.
17,700+facultypublicationsofjournalarticlesandbooks/chaptersshowing anoverallgrowthof64%.
Improvedcurationoffacultypublicationstocapturethescopeofpublished literatureandawardedgrants.
StudentEngagement
NotablestudentachievementsincludeawardssuchastheSarnoff Fellowship,NRSAF30Fellowship,andAANS/CNSNeuro-OncologyTrainee Award.
20%growthto90%ofstudentsparticipatinginresearch.
80%ofstudentsfocusonclinicalortranslationalstudies.
23%increaseinpublicationsinoneyear(149to183peer-reviewedarticles).
33%increaseinpublicationsinhigh-impactjournals(impactfactor>7).
Increasednumberofstudentspresentingatregional,national,and internationalmeetings.
Utilize Hofstra & Northwell Resources to
Engage the Community
ZSOMactivelycontributestothe healthandwell-beingofits surroundingcommunitiesthrough education,outreach,andservice.
CommuntiyPartnershipand Engagement
EstablishedroleforAssistantDeanforCommunity Engagementandexpandedcollaborationswith Northwell’sOfficeofCommunityWellnessand PopulationHealth.
Increasedstudentparticipationinhealthfairs,resourceevents,and volunteeropportunitieswithcommunity-basedandfaith-based organizations.
Elementary,juniorhighandhighschoolstudentsfromtheHempstead SchoolDistricthaveparticipatedintheHealthyLivingLongIsland(HLLI)and MedicalScienceYouthPrograms(MSYP) bothprogramsareledbyZSOM students.
Communitycollaborationsinclude:LongIslandAlzheimer'sandDementia Center,CohenChildren'sMedicalCenter,LIJDialysisCenter,HelenKeller ServicesfortheBlind,LongIslandCoalitionfortheHomeless,Bayview AvenueSchool,andHempsteadSchoolDistrict.
ContinuedoperationofStudentRunFreeclinicprovidingprimarycarefor uninsuredpatientsatnocost.
AwardedAssociationofAmericanMedicalColleges(AAMC)-funded curricularinnovationsgrantstotaling$70,000tocreatenovelwaysto educatemedicalstudentstoaddresshealthmisinformationwithpatients. Since2022,10studentsearnedtheGraduationwithDistinctionin CommunityEngagement.
DevelopedMedicalLegalPartnershipthatcombinesresourcesfrom MauriceA.DeanSchoolofLawatHofstraUniversityandNorthwellHealthto providemuch-neededlegalandmedicalcaretocommunitymembers acrossLongIsland,andNewYorkCity,regardlessofabilitytopay.
Utilize Hofstra & Northwell Resources to
Engage the Community
MatriculantDemographics
ZSOMmatriculantdemographicsgearedto createphysician-patientbackground concordancetoleadtoimprovedpatient outcomes.
UndergraduateSchoolsRepresented: Matriculatestudentsfrom~50different undergraduateinstitutionsannually,totaling over120institutions.
StatesRepresented:Incomingclassesaverage representationfrom14states,withatotalof38states andDCrepresented.
Gender:Genderratioalignswithnationaltrends,with53%womenand46% men(nationalaverage:55%women,44%men).
LowerSocioeconomicBackground(EO1/EO2):26%ofmatriculantsare EO1/EO2,exceedingthenationalaverageof21%.
First-GenerationStudents:13%ofmatriculantsarefirst-generation, surpassingthenationalaverageof11%.
URiMRepresentation:22%ofmatriculantsareURiM,comparedtothenational averageof22.5%.
ResidencyandWorkforceContributions
25%ofZSOMalumnienterresidencyatNorthwellHealth.
ResidenteducationledbycoreScienceEducationfacultymembersinclude:
SummerCourseforPhysicalmedicineandrehabilitation(PM&R)Residents whichequipsresidentswithadvancedanatomicalinsightsandprocedural expertisetoexcelintheirspecialty.
SpecializedAnatomyRefreshers:DermatologyandNeuropsychology residentsbenefitfromtailoredsessionsthatreinforcekeyanatomical conceptsrelevanttotheirfields,enhancingtheirclinicalcapabilities.
Attain
Distinctive a Identity
ZSOMaimstostrengthenits reputationthroughoutstanding academicperformance,curricular innovation,andbrandrecognition.
Overthelast5years,ZSOMhas consistentlyperformedinthetop10%of medicalschoolsnationally(atorabove the90thpercentileforatleast4ofthe last5years)inthefollowingareas:
Basic/ClinicalScienceIntegration:Basicsciencecourseworkhadsufficient illustrationsofclinicalrelevanceandrequiredclinicalexperiencesintegrated basicsciencecontent.
FirstOneHundredWeeks(FOW)preparationforSecondOneHundredWeeks (SOW):Biochemistry,Immunology,Microanatomy/Histology,Microbiology. Learningenvironment:EmotionalClimate,Student-FacultyInteraction.*
*ForStudent-FacultyInteraction,ZSOMhasperformedabovethe90th percentileforatleast3ofthelast5years.
Overthelast5years,ZSOM,onaverage,performedbetweenthe75thand89th percentilesnationallyinthefollowingareas:
AdvancedClinicalExperience(ACE)(Neurology,Pediatrics):Mid-clerkship feedback.
ACE(Pediatrics,Psychiatry):Facultyteaching.
ACE(Pediatrics,Psychiatry):Physicalormentalstatusexam.
ACE(Psychiatry):Historytaking.
Facultyprofessionalism:Beingrespectfulofhousestaffandotherphysicians, beingrespectfulofotherspecialties,showingrespectfulinteractionwith students,providingdirectionandconstructivefeedback,respectingpatient confidentiality,beingrespectfulofpatients’dignityandautonomy.
FOWpreparationforSOW:Genetics,Pathophysiologyofdisease,Pathology, Physiology,BehavioralScience,Neuroscience,IntroductiontoClinical Medicine/IntroductiontothePatient.
OverallqualityofACE:Psychiatry,Pediatrics.
PersonalandProfessionalDevelopment:“Mymedicalschoolhasdonea goodjoboffosteringandnurturingmydevelopmentasaperson.”
Attain
Distinctive a Identity
ProgramDirectorThemes
Residencyprogramdirectorsidentify strengthsofZSOMgraduates:
Vastmajorityhitthegroundrunning
Abilitytoworkclinically:historyand physicalexam,clinicalreasoning
Humanistic
Teachingskills
Professionalism
Workautonomously
Strongfundofknowledge
Presentationskills
Abilitytotakefeedback
AlumniThemes
ZSOMalumniidentifythegreateststrengthsofthecurriculumtoinclude:
Curriculumpreparedthemverywellforresidency
Trainedtobeindependent,self-directedlearners
Learnedhowtheylearnbest
Wellpreparedtopresentpatientcases
Learnedtothinkcritically
Competentatprocedures
PerformingultrasoundandinterpretingX-rays,CT,imaging
Humanities
Communicationskillstoestablishrapportquicklywithpatients
Medicalknowledge
Preparedtoworkonteams
Attain Distinctive a Identity
BrandRecognitionand Influence
Rankedamongthetopmedicalschoolsfor researchanddiversityinU.S. News & World Report. 77%increaseineditorialmentions.
Social media engagement surpasses industry averages(7%vs.2%academicaverage). CurrentMS1classtop5factorswhytheydecided toattendZSOM:clinicaltrainingsites,curriculum, financialaid,location,andreputation.
GraduationData
*Fromtheclassesof2019to2024
Future Outlook and Goals
Togetherwewilldevelopanew strategicplantohelpleadour missionandvisionandpropelus intothefuture.Thisforthcoming strategicplanwillserveasour guidingframework,delineating thetrajectoryforcontinued success,innovation,and excellenceinmedicaleducation, research,andhealthcare delivery.
–Dr.DavidL.Battinelli,Deborahand LawrenceSmithDean,ZuckerSchoolof MedicineatHofstra/Northwell
