History

The State University of New York Upstate Medical University is one of 140 academic medical centers in the United States. Such centers lead the nation in conducting medical research, educating health professionals and providing the most advanced care to patients. The mission of Upstate Medical University is to improve the health of the communities it serves through education, biomedical research and health care.

Through its four colleges — Medicine, Graduate Studies, Nursing and Health Professions — Upstate Medical University educates physicians, research scientists, nurses and health care professionals. Upstate’s clinical system comprises Upstate University Hospital with its Downtown and Community campuses, the region’s only children’s hospital, an extensive network of specialty treatment services and the Upstate Cancer Center that is the region’s only comprehensive outpatient resource for the treatment of cancer and blood disorders for both adults and children. With its four colleges and robust research programs, Upstate Medical University is the region’s largest employer and serves as a source of medical and health leadership for Central New York and beyond.

Upstate Medical University traces its history to 1834. Then, six faculty members at Geneva College founded a medical school at this small liberal arts college in upstate New York. While still in its infancy, the Geneva Medical School gained the distinction of awarding an MD degree to Elizabeth Blackwell — the first woman to become a physician in the United States. In 1871, the medical school dean, John Towler, bought the college’s medical library, anatomical museum and other tangible assets. Acting as a private citizen, Towler, along with Frederick Hyde, another former Geneva faculty member, approached Syracuse University and offered to donate these materials on the condition that Syracuse University immediately establish and maintain a regular medical college consistent with American Medical Association standards. The Geneva Medical faculty joined the Syracuse University College of Physicians and Surgeons, later known as the College of Medicine. In 1876, another trailblazer, Sarah Loguen, graduated from the medical college, becoming one of the nation’s first African American women physicians and the first woman doctor in what is now the Dominican Republic.

In 1950, the Syracuse University College of Medicine was transferred to the newly organized State University of New York where it was known as Upstate Medical Center. On December 10, 1953, the central SUNY administration approved a plan to develop programs to award MS and PhD degrees in biosciences at its two medical schools. In 2009, the master’s in public health (MPH) program was introduced in the College of Medicine, with the intention of preparing students for service, teaching and research careers in public health. Today, many students seek the MPH in combination with other post-graduate degrees.

In 1952, graduate studies began at Upstate, with 18 students and new courses in anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology and physiology. The Syracuse University College of Medicine had actually begun graduate education in the biosciences in this campus in 1947 by offering the PhD in

biochemistry, but that degree was given by the university as a whole, not by the medical school. In 1957, under the joint administration of the Graduate Executive committee, which consisted of Wilfred W. Westerfeld, PhD (chair), Chester L. Yntema, PhD, Justus F. Mueller, PhD, Alfred Farah, PhD, Gordon K. Moe, MD, PhD and administrator Joseph K. Hill, the graduate program in Medical Sciences became the School of Graduate Studies. In June 1958 it awarded its first MS and in June 1959 its first PhD – to Arthur A. Iodice, in biochemistry. Dr. Westerfeld became dean in 1961, and in 1973 it was renamed the College of Graduate Studies.

The College of Health Professions traces its roots to 1956 when the university offered a certificate program in cytotechnology. The School of Allied Health Professions opened in 1965, offering degree programs in medical technology, radiation technology and radiation therapy technology. Programs in inhalation therapy, medical technology, physical therapy and respiratory therapy were added in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1971, John Bernard Henry, MD, became the first dean of the College of Health Related Professions. The word “related” was dropped from the name of the college in 1996. In 2004, the Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum was added to provide advanced clinical reasoning and differential diagnosis. The Department of Physician Assistant Studies was established in 2009 in response to the health care needs of Central New York. In 2018, the Behavioral Analysis Studies program was added to provide therapeutic services for individuals with autism and related disorders.

In 1959, Upstate Medical University initiated an Associate Degree Program in Nursing to meet shortages in this field. Responding to the need for primary care nurses, a Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program was implemented in 1974 and 10 years later, a combined Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Program (BS/MS) was introduced. In 1986, the College of Nursing was established in response to rising enrollment. Growth continued in the late 1980s and early 1990s with the introduction of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program and Master of Science Program that prepared advanced practice nurses for the role of clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner. In response to the needs of patients with mental health disorders, the Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMHNP) program was established in 2009. In 2013, the College was proud to usher in an online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, which was the first in the area.

The vision of Upstate Medical University is to be the leading regional academic medical center in the nation. In achieving this vision, SUNY Upstate is a highly regarded resource for the education of health professionals, especially in shortage areas; a global resource for research that improves understanding of health and disease; a catalyst in the delivery of patient-centered health care that addresses our region’s most pressing concerns; and a place to work that recognizes excellence.