When asked why they chose NYU Grossman School of Medicine, students mentioned collaboration, learning from different perspectives, a commitment to patient advocacy, and the ability to choose a path based on passion rather than financial necessity.
Credit: Joe Carrotta
On September 12, 2024, a new chapter in medical education began as 106 aspiring doctors embarked on their journey at NYU Grossman School of Medicine during its White Coat Ceremony.
The medical program, which has offered Full-Tuition Scholarships since 2018 and now offers a personalized pathway curriculum, embodies a bold vision for healthcare education—one that eliminates financial barriers, accelerates learning, and champions diversity. The class of 2028 represents the next wave of a movement poised to enhance healthcare for decades to come.
“Welcome, future doctors!” said Robert I. Grossman, MD, dean of the school and CEO of NYU Langone Health. “Your performance thus far has given you the opportunity to learn at what I truly believe is an amazing institution—one that values professionalism and expects you will conduct yourself with integrity, responsibility, and excellence. But the deeper question is: What do you expect to gain from these next few years?”
The answer to Dr. Grossman’s question lies in the students’ testimonials as to why they chose NYU Grossman School of Medicine. They speak of collaboration, of learning from different perspectives, of a shared commitment to patient advocacy, and the freedom to choose their path based on passion rather than financial necessity.
The class of 2028 boasts a median GPA of 3.98 and MCAT score of 523. It’s nearly evenly split between genders, with 15 percent from populations underrepresented in medicine. From a table tennis Olympian to a youth circus performer, from a Korean-pop dancer to a coxswain for a men’s lightweight crew, these students bring broad experiences to the classroom. Their paths to this moment are as varied as their backgrounds, each marked by a life-changing phone call.
Chika Ogbejesi’s journey to medical school was influenced by the nurses in her family and her own entrepreneurial spirit. She worked on a start-up to help Black women during pregnancy, gaining firsthand experience in digital health innovation.
Credit: Joe Carrotta
Ogbejesi discovered her acceptance while checking her email. “I got off the waitlist—I was so excited, and I couldn’t wait to celebrate the news with my friends and family.”
Lauren Stone followed in the footsteps of her father, a family practitioner in rural Ohio. “I saw how physicians are pillars of the community,” Stone says. Her wrestling background taught her teamwork and individual responsibility—lessons she sees paralleled in medicine.
Surrounded by family, Stone received her acceptance call from Rafael Rivera, MD, MBA, associate dean for admissions and financial aid, who asked, “Do you know why I’m calling you?” Tears flowed as she shared the news amid hugs and laughter. “We all cried and hugged. I was shocked for about 12 hours. I kept checking my calls to make sure it was real.”
Volunteering at a medical unit for unhoused men was a crucial experience in Bohdan O’Shaughnessy’s path to medical school. “I chose medicine because I think it is where I can do the most good serving my community,” O’Shaughnessy explains. His faith and supportive parents played crucial roles in his drive to serve.
O’Shaughnessy was in a financial literacy session when he received his call. “I was completely stricken with disbelief,” he remembers. “I kept checking to make sure it wasn’t a dream. I called my mom—we definitely shed a few tears.”
Dante Petruzziello’s homeschooling and EMT experiences solidified his desire to become a doctor. “With EMS, I knew I wanted to form long-standing patient relationships,” Petruzziello says. His love for board games and running Magic: The Gathering tournaments adds a unique flavor to the class’s interests.
Petruzziello was with his dad and girlfriend when he got the call. “I screened the first call but remembered Dean Rivera always calls twice,” he recounts. “When I picked up, it was surreal. It was a dream come true to share that moment with my girlfriend and dad.”
NYU Langone’s Full-Tuition Scholarships have transformed medical education. Ogbejesi says, “I would not have had another way to pay for medical school. Its tuition-free initiative means I can attend the program that will make me the best doctor.”
O’Shaughnessy agrees: “Not having education debt allows you to be pure in your intentions. It’s easier to follow my heart and choose based on where I’m needed.”
NYU Grossman School of Medicine offers a flexible curriculum that enables students to complete their MD in three years. Petruzziello appreciates this: “The tailored aspect resonates with my homeschooling background—the flexibility to figure out what works best for me.”
This innovative approach is designed to produce doctors who are not only clinically competent but also adaptable, empathetic, and prepared to address the complex healthcare challenges of the 21st century.
Dr. Grossman emphasized the importance of knowledge, attention to detail, tenacity, compassion, and humility. “Doctors have a noble purpose … to make patients’ lives better. As a great doctor, your life will be filled with unequaled vitality.”
When asked to describe their classmates and how they plan to tackle the next three years, the students didn’t hesitate to emphasize how leaning on their cohort will make all the difference.
Ogbejesi: “Everyone here has something special, whether it’s their experience, aspirations, or the questions they ask. I’ve seen why it is so difficult to make sweeping improvements in healthcare, and I want to build my expertise to be part of the solution.”
Stone: “I’m surrounded by the kindest, most intelligent and compassionate people. Everyone is down-to-earth. My great-grandfather said, ‘Put your head on your pillow knowing you did your best for those around you.’ That’s my North Star. I want to be a clinician who fights for their patients.”
“It’s a blessing to be around people who look at the world from different angles. NYU Grossman School of Medicine was the top of my list because I will be able to learn from a patient population that reflects who I want to serve,” says O’Shaughnessy.
Credit: Joe Carrotta
Petruzziello: “NYU students dream big. We all bring intellectual curiosity. I hope my future patients see me as competent and as prepared as possible, but also as someone who is their advocate.”
As these students don their white coats for the first time, they carry forward not just the support that brought them here, but the promise of a new era in medicine. Equipped with clinical expertise and unburdened by tuition costs, they stand ready to fight for their patients’ needs at the bedside and beyond. At NYU Grossman School of Medicine, a powerful cycle of care is not just in motion—it’s gaining momentum.
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Arielle Sklar
Phone: 646-960-2696
Arielle.Sklar@NYULangone.org
