New Medical School Comes to Harlem

It's been reported that out of the 800 applications received, only a few are from minority applicants.
We must teach our kids that math and science is much more important than a basketball and a microphone.

New York's first medical school to open in 30 years is setting up shop in Harlem - right across from the legendary Apollo Theater.

The mission of Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine is to recruit more minorities to become doctors and to help provide primary care to low-income residents in Harlem, officials said yesterday.

Tourocom, as the school calls itself, will seeks a partnership with the city's Health and Hospitals Corporation's network of uptown public hospitals and health clinics - including Harlem Hospital.

The first class of 125 students will enroll in September. More than 800 applications have come in, said Tourocom CEO Jay Sexter.

The medical school will also offer a science master's to prep students who didn't obtain a pre-med undergraduate degree.

The approval of the new medical school - which will be celebrated in a ceremony today with elected officials and health-care advocates - is something of a coup.

The state Health Department is closing nine underutilized hospitals this year - including five in the city.

Mr. Starks