Skoo

The medical school of Tel Aviv University was established in 1964. In 1972 the school was officially named the Sackler School of Medicine after Arthur Sackler and his two brothers, Mortimer and Raymond. Arthur was a psychiatrist and art scholar from New York. His name is attached to medical science institutions in New York and Boston, and he endowed galleries from the Met in NYC to London to Beijing.

In 1976, the New York State/American program was established at Sackler. The program is entirely taught in English and the curriculum is modeled after American medical schools. The degree of Medical Doctor is conferred by Tel Aviv University, and the state of New York recognizes it as meeting or exceeding accepted academic standards. Originally created to provide underserved areas of New York state with more physicians, there is no longer an obligation to practice in New York, and graduates may apply for residency positions anywhere in the United States.

So far I'm really happy that I ended up here. The basic sciences part of my education has been a little frustrating at times (my class is the first to try a new curriculum, and sometimes there can be a language barrier), but like most things, it is what you make of it. Also, I think the clinical education here is what sets this school apart. I consistently hear from Sackler graduates that go back to the States that they believe their clinical education to have been far superior to what their colleagues received in American schools. I'll see for my self in another year.

In related news, graduation is this week for Sackler's class of 2009. There's mixed feelings in my class about attending the ceremony for those graduating. I'm pretty excited about it. For me its a nice reminder that in three years the class of 2012 will be receiving their degrees, and I will officially be T.J. M.D.
(A view of the Sackler building from my bedroom window)