SU Explores new Medical School

[CuseLegacy]

"SU's commitment to veterans dates back to the 1940s when it opened its doors to World War II veterans pursuing college education with financial support from the federal GI Bill. By 1947, SU's veteran enrollment was larger than any other school in the state and among the largest nationwide, Syverud wrote in an essay published last year by syracuse.com.

The proposed SU medical school would interact with its next-door neighbor, the Syracuse VA Medical Center, said Kevin Quinn, SU's senior vice president of public affairs.

SU also sees a medical school as a way to help achieve its goal of increasing research and attracting more research dollars. Over the past five years, SU has raised $55 million from corporations, government agencies, foundations and individuals to support its veterans initiatives.

Liz Liddy, interim vice chancellor and provost, said there is a lot of research under way at SU that can benefit veterans. SU faculty members, for example, are working on innovative materials for artificial joints and researching post-traumatic stress disorder.

Syverud said SU is determined to be the best university in the nation for veterans.

The med school idea also is being fueled in part by Cuomo's $1.5 billion Upstate Revitalization Initiative which SU hopes to tap if it moves forward with the medical school. Under that program, three Upstate regions will each get $500 million in state money over five years to invest in projects designed to generate jobs and make the regions more competitive in the global marketplace.

SU sees the proposed medical school as a potential Upstate Revitalization Initiative project."

 

[OrangeXtreme]

There go the rest of the Dome West parking lots.

 

[Alsacs]

I love this good job Chancellor Syverud. Another push towards getting Syracuse back into the AAU. We need research and medical school to push us back there. This is a great cause as well.

 

[sutomcat]

"SU's commitment to veterans dates back to the 1940s when it opened its doors to World War II veterans pursuing college education with financial support from the federal GI Bill. By 1947, SU's veteran enrollment was larger than any other school in the state and among the largest nationwide, Syverud wrote in an essay published last year by syracuse.com.

The proposed SU medical school would interact with its next-door neighbor, the Syracuse VA Medical Center, said Kevin Quinn, SU's senior vice president of public affairs.

SU also sees a medical school as a way to help achieve its goal of increasing research and attracting more research dollars. Over the past five years, SU has raised $55 million from corporations, government agencies, foundations and individuals to support its veterans initiatives.

Liz Liddy, interim vice chancellor and provost, said there is a lot of research under way at SU that can benefit veterans. SU faculty members, for example, are working on innovative materials for artificial joints and researching post-traumatic stress disorder.

Syverud said SU is determined to be the best university in the nation for veterans.

The med school idea also is being fueled in part by Cuomo's $1.5 billion Upstate Revitalization Initiative which SU hopes to tap if it moves forward with the medical school. Under that program, three Upstate regions will each get $500 million in state money over five years to invest in projects designed to generate jobs and make the regions more competitive in the global marketplace.

SU sees the proposed medical school as a potential Upstate Revitalization Initiative project."

I think this is a great move. I applaude the chancellor on trying to make it happen. A medical school should be one of the top priorities for the university. It will help make SU stronger in many ways.

Even if they build it where the Dome football/basketball parking lots are. Which they probably will...

 

[Toga]

Specialized medical school serving an area of need. Out of the box thinking.

 

[CuseLegacy]

I love the idea. My grandfather graduated from the medical school at Syracuse and my Dad was one of those vets who got his degree on the hill in the 40s.

 

[N.Y. Orangeman]

Hmmm...random thoughts.
1. Clearly, this is a move designed at Upstate, no matter what they are saying;
2. Funding and building a new medical school at a time when so many other programs need improvement and we are operating in the red is suspect; and
3. That being said, if there is a federal angle on the funding/building the program, it is a bold, brilliant move that could further the goal of acquiring #1 in a few decades.

 

[Full_Rebar]

Pushing forward on this could help SU generate a lot more research $, which would then allow the University to provide better help to those programs who need the help.

 

[OttoMets]

Hmmm...random thoughts.
1. Clearly, this is a move designed at Upstate, no matter what they are saying;
2. Funding and building a new medical school at a time when so many other programs need improvement and we are operating in the red is suspect; and
3. That being said, if there is a federal angle on the funding/building the program, it is a bold, brilliant move that could further the goal of acquiring #1 in a few decades.

Nah. You're closer to it on the last point - there's a lot of money out there for veterans'/defense research and advocacy. Syverud (and some trustees) identified IVMF as a potential standard-bearer for the university and they're trying to create synergy among different programs. A niche medical program would dovetail with this.

As you note, though, this will be expensive. It's a good short-term move to enhance SU's reputation and provide a tangible service, but we'll need a lot of public money to make it happen.

 

[javadoc]

Nah. You're closer to it on the last point - there's a lot of money out there for veterans'/defense research and advocacy. Syverud (and some trustees) identified IVMF as a potential standard-bearer for the university and they're trying to create synergy among different programs. A niche medical program would dovetail with this.

As you note, though, this will be expensive. It's a good short-term move to enhance SU's reputation and provide a tangible service, but we'll need a lot of public money to make it happen.

*cough cough* Hey Cuomo, is that funding stream still available?

 

[RICuse44]

Honestly I think this is a terrible move.

The VA medical system is based on primary care. There is a primary care shortage across the country. Loan forgiveness is already out there for people who serve in the modern VA. The problem is overall pay. Primary care docs make a fraction of what specialists (especially surgical specialists) make. People do not go into primary care because of this pay issue (and the fact that sometimes they are saddled with 250,000 in debt which takes forever to pay off on a VA salary). So you can either increase the pay via reimbursement (gets into a huge problem as you could imagine as our system is currently procedure based) or incentives for these positions or increase the overall number of physicians (greater numbers by sheer volume would fill these positions at VA medical centers).

Agree that this is definitely aimed at Upstate- it's literally directly across the street and already utilizes the VA for medical student and resident training.

This current proposal seems to get some short term funds but I would question the long term stability of something like this unless there are some more global changes that would be coming. Also I do not see a reason to re-invent the wheel with 2 med schools in Syracuse. A partnership between Upstate and SU with a heavy hand toward strengthening the academic/research programs in both institutions is more appropriate in my opinion.

 

[SU68]

*cough cough* Hey Cuomo, is that funding stream still available?

Stephanie Miner will be against it and find a way to kill the money.

 

[N.Y. Orangeman]

Nah. You're closer to it on the last point - there's a lot of money out there for veterans'/defense research and advocacy. Syverud (and some trustees) identified IVMF as a potential standard-bearer for the university and they're trying to create synergy among different programs. A niche medical program would dovetail with this.

As you note, though, this will be expensive. It's a good short-term move to enhance SU's reputation and provide a tangible service, but we'll need a lot of public money to make it happen.

Not true (with regard to my points earlier), but I will move off this.

 

[Cuse_Albs]

I love this good job Chancellor Syverud. Another push towards getting Syracuse back into the AAU. We need research and medical school to push us back there. This is a great cause as well.

Syverud just gets it...unlike Cantor. I think I speak for most of the board by saying this is extremely refreshing. And an overall great development. Anything involving helping the people that have protected our country, I am 100% in favor of. Good for you Kent!

 

[OttoMets]

Not true (with regard to my points earlier), but I will move off this.

You mean regarding SU's move to subsume Upstate? Maybe you know more than I do about that motivation.

 

[Millhouse]

"SU's commitment to veterans dates back to the 1940s when it opened its doors to World War II veterans pursuing college education with financial support from the federal GI Bill. By 1947, SU's veteran enrollment was larger than any other school in the state and among the largest nationwide, Syverud wrote in an essay published last year by syracuse.com.

The proposed SU medical school would interact with its next-door neighbor, the Syracuse VA Medical Center, said Kevin Quinn, SU's senior vice president of public affairs.

SU also sees a medical school as a way to help achieve its goal of increasing research and attracting more research dollars. Over the past five years, SU has raised $55 million from corporations, government agencies, foundations and individuals to support its veterans initiatives.

Liz Liddy, interim vice chancellor and provost, said there is a lot of research under way at SU that can benefit veterans. SU faculty members, for example, are working on innovative materials for artificial joints and researching post-traumatic stress disorder.

Syverud said SU is determined to be the best university in the nation for veterans.

The med school idea also is being fueled in part by Cuomo's $1.5 billion Upstate Revitalization Initiative which SU hopes to tap if it moves forward with the medical school. Under that program, three Upstate regions will each get $500 million in state money over five years to invest in projects designed to generate jobs and make the regions more competitive in the global marketplace.

SU sees the proposed medical school as a potential Upstate Revitalization Initiative project."

i'm not saying this is better or worse than a stadium but does anyone think they would've gotten funding for both?

 

[TexanMark]

Honestly I think this is a terrible move.

The VA medical system is based on primary care. There is a primary care shortage across the country. Loan forgiveness is already out there for people who serve in the modern VA. The problem is overall pay. Primary care docs make a fraction of what specialists (especially surgical specialists) make. People do not go into primary care because of this pay issue (and the fact that sometimes they are saddled with 250,000 in debt which takes forever to pay off on a VA salary). So you can either increase the pay via reimbursement (gets into a huge problem as you could imagine as our system is currently procedure based) or incentives for these positions or increase the overall number of physicians (greater numbers by sheer volume would fill these positions at VA medical centers).

Agree that this is definitely aimed at Upstate- it's literally directly across the street and already utilizes the VA for medical student and resident training.

This current proposal seems to get some short term funds but I would question the long term stability of something like this unless there are some more global changes that would be coming. Also I do not see a reason to re-invent the wheel with 2 med schools in Syracuse. A partnership between Upstate and SU with a heavy hand toward strengthening the academic/research programs in both institutions is more appropriate in my opinion.

It might actually be very good if they get into medical device research for vets with missing limbs, etc...robotics, nano, etc...

 

[CuseTroop]

Love it. More research = jobs for Cusetroop.

 

[rrlbees]

Has there ever been a domed Medical School?

 

[RICuse44]

It might actually be very good if they get into medical device research for vets with missing limbs, etc...robotics, nano, etc...

you mean with something like this?
http://www.upstate.edu/pmr/healthcare/ihp.php

I'm definitely not saying they should not get into this. I do think though they should look into more joint ventures between Upstate and SU that would utilize already existing facilities. Maybe I am biased as an upstate alum but I think something like that is a win-win for each institution. Not joining forces is just silly.

 

[AZOrange]

you mean with something like this? http://www.upstate.edu/pmr/healthcare/ihp.php I'm definitely not saying they should not get into this. I do think though they should look into more joint ventures between Upstate and SU that would utilize already existing facilities. Maybe I am biased as an upstate alum but I think something like that is a win-win for each institution. Not joining forces is just silly.

I think it has to be in the back of syveruds mind. He's a smart guy. He can see what's in front of him. There's probably a million different pieces in play here but the mere fact that he recognizes SU needs a med school is a tremendous improvement.

 

[RICuse44]

I think it has to be in the back of syveruds mind. He's a smart guy. He can see what's in front of him. There's probably a million different pieces in play here but the mere fact that he recognizes SU needs a med school is a tremendous improvement.

are we looking at a whispers, stealth, ninja type of situation here?

btw- i see where you are coming from with syverud potentially laying a foundation. It is nice to see he recognizes the importance of the medical field in terms of driving research. Especially in a situation where national funding is down. It creates a nice situation where institutions with foresight (seeing that this low level of funding would not be expected to last forever and supplying bridge funding to investigators) could develop a nice research base.

 

[sutomcat]

I think it has to be in the back of syveruds mind. He's a smart guy. He can see what's in front of him. There's probably a million different pieces in play here but the mere fact that he recognizes SU needs a med school is a tremendous improvement.

There were stories in the PS a few years ago about how the state couldn't afford to keep Upstate open any longer...it was losing too much money each year and needed to become self sufficient or it would be closed down.

What every become of that? Does SUNY Upstate still lose money? Is it possible that the state would sell it back to Syracuse for a reasonable price?

 

[Toga]

What every become of that? Does SUNY Upstate still lose money? Is it possible that the state would sell it back to Syracuse for a reasonable price?[/QUOTE]
Pretty sure both Upstate and Downstate were losing money - at least as of a couple of years ago. Upstate didn't win any friends last year with financial shenanigans of senior staff.

 

[CuseLegacy]

It might actually be very good if they get into medical device research for vets with missing limbs, etc...robotics, nano, etc...

Or even like what they are doing at Wake med school...

http://www.wakehealth.edu/Research/WFIRM/Biomedical-Engineering/Engineering-a-Human-Limb.htm