NYU Grossman School of Medicine held its annual White Coat Ceremony on September 13, welcoming the Class of 2028. Dean Alec Kimmelman, MD, PhD, who also serves as CEO of NYU Langone Health, addressed the incoming students by reflecting on his own experience entering medical school three decades ago.
“It felt like stepping into something much bigger than myself,” said Dr. Kimmelman. “This relatively simple act carried a newfound responsibility. It also elicited feelings of opportunity and limitless potential.”
The new class joins a flexible three-year program at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and was selected from over 8,000 applicants.
Among the new students is India June from Nyack, New York. Her interest in medicine began during her time with the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps at Yale and while serving as a case manager for sailors with serious health conditions. She recalled witnessing surgery aboard a Navy ship: “I came down after my shift, and I saw an open appendectomy on the ship while it was moving. The makeshift operating room and how steady the surgeon’s hands were really spoke to what my next steps would be.” June applied to 35 schools before receiving her acceptance call from Rafael Rivera, MD, MBA, associate dean for admission and financial aid.
Magdalena Todorinova moved from Bulgaria to Queens at age 17. Inspired by NYU’s tuition-free policy for medical students—an initiative providing Full-Tuition Scholarships—she pursued undergraduate studies at Hofstra University and worked as a scribe in the Bronx before applying to medical school. When she received her acceptance call from Dean Rivera, she shared an emotional moment with her family.
Osagie Aimiuwu, elected class president, previously worked as a medical scribe and provided care for a woman with multiple sclerosis. He said: “During orientation week, I saw how diverse the class is. They all bring their own perspectives, and every person I talked to is just so passionate about why they’re here. It made me want to represent them, advocate for them, and have an excuse to bring them all together. I am so grateful to have been elected.”
Joseph Turner from Austin initially did not plan on pursuing medicine due to early experiences in hospitals related to his mother’s illness but changed course after volunteering in Brazil during his Latter-day Saint mission. He noted that communication with patients was key: “the knowledge of medicine was less important than the ability to communicate with patients.” After working in research in Boston he learned of his acceptance while working in a lab.
Wesley Rey Rivera of Orlando survived acute myeloid leukemia as a child thanks to an experimental bone marrow transplant performed by his sister. He later attended Harvard and worked in consulting before deciding during COVID-19 that he wanted more purpose-driven work. Rivera completed additional coursework while working full-time before being accepted into NYU Grossman School of Medicine: “I put him on speakerphone [Dean Rivera], and he shared the good news… Lots of happy tears.” Rivera hopes future patients will see him “as part of the family.”
NYU Grossman School of Medicine continues its commitment to providing full-tuition scholarships for current students through philanthropic support (https://med.nyu.edu/education/md-degree/md-affordability-financial-aid/full-tuition-scholarships), making it one of few U.S. medical schools offering this benefit.
