Suffolk County Community College has established partnerships with Binghamton University and St. George’s University to facilitate the transition of its graduates into medical, veterinary, and pharmacy doctoral programs. These agreements aim to create educational pathways for students pursuing healthcare careers.
A recent event at Suffolk County Community College's Michael J. Grant Campus marked the announcement, featuring speeches from academic and healthcare leaders, alongside students, faculty, and local officials.
Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College, stated: "These partnerships represent a significant step forward in providing our students with exceptional opportunities in healthcare. By offering pathways to advanced degrees in medicine, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy, we are helping to build a pipeline of highly trained professionals who will serve not only Suffolk County but the broader healthcare needs of our region."
Under the agreement with Binghamton University, up to five seats annually are reserved for qualified Suffolk students entering the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. Students must complete an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences: Biology at Suffolk along with additional required courses.
Maja Szostak from Binghamton University commented: “This partnership will help foster educational opportunities for students seeking a career in pharmacy by providing them with a clear pathway and the support necessary to succeed in this highly competitive field.”
The collaboration with St. George’s University offers two pathways for aspiring medical or veterinary professionals: a 2+2+4 Pathway leading to an MD or DVM degree after studies at SGU partner universities; and a 2+5 Pathway into SGU’s five-year MD program.
Laura Bruno from SGU remarked on the need for alternative pathways given limited seats in U.S. medical schools: “I am here to say that there are alternative pathways to becoming a doctor and this exciting collaboration between our institutions offers one of the best.”
Suffolk County Community College is part of the State University of New York system and enrolls over 21,000 students across various programs. Binghamton University's School of Pharmacy focuses on research-based education while St. George's University attracts international students across multiple disciplines.