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Maimonides’ Summer Research Experience program illuminates and assists underrepresented medical students at Barclays gala

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Maimonides Medical Center honored 14 first-year medical students at its annual Summer Research Experience event, which took place at the Barclays Center’s exclusive 40/40 Club the evening of July 31. 

The program, created in 2020, is aimed predominantly at minority students and those underrepresented in medicine. 

Founded by Afshin Razi, vice chair Orthopedics Department and Residency Program director, Jack Choueka, chairman of orthopedics, and Dr. Rushabh Vakharia, all under the Maimonides Medical Center umbrella, the cornerstones of the six-week program are performing research, learning the fundamentals of medicine or surgery and observing faculty in real-time. 

The curriculum includes one day in the operating room, two days in the office and two days pursuing research over the six-week course. 

Students attend departmental conferences, bi-weekly lectures, and weekly research meetings. They also have an opportunity to engage in dialogue with physicians and build mentoring relationships.

This year, participants included students from the College of Medicine at SUNY Downstate Health Science University and Morehouse School of Medicine. 

It’s more than research — it’s an experience

The Maimonides Summer Research Experience (MSRE) founder Afshin Razi told the Brooklyn Eagle that one of the highlights of the program is the “mentorship” aspect, which he described as incredibly important.

“There are a lot of pathways in medicine one can go, and it’s very important for medical students to have a mentor,” Razi said. “I’ve had students from four years ago that I still keep in touch with. We still have that relationship. That’s why we call it the Maimonides Summer Research Experience. It’s not just research, it’s an entire experience.”  

Razi pointed out that in its first year, MSRE had only 12 students and offered only orthopedics as a specialty. In the last few years, the program has significantly expanded.

“In 2023, we added eight specialties, expanded the program to 39 students and offered 10 scholarships,” Razi explained. “This year, we offered 12 specialty departments, accommodated 46 students and gave away 14 scholarships.”  

BSE Global supported the program philanthropically, offering the scholarships to deserving candidates. 

“Of course, we are always trying to get more funding from different organizations all the time,” Razi said. 

Program co-founder Jack Choueka, chairman of orthopedics at Maimonides, had nothing but high praise for the medical students that were honored at the gala.

“These are the kids that are going to be the superstars of the future,” Choueka said. “They are the ones you want taking care of you when you get older.”