New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) hosts events throughout the year that cater to different communities with differing interests, from weather-smart primary care to ophthalmology residents’ research night. Several times this summer, we welcomed a cohort of curious young learners to tour our building and library. Specifically: high school students who are affiliated with NYU’s School of Professional Studies (SPS) High School Academy’s Exploring Careers in Medicine course.
Lin Lombardi, PhD, is the connective tissue between New York Academy of Medicine and NYU’s SPS High School Academy. Dr. Lombardi is the co-founder and president of the Leslin Healthcare Foundation, professor of healthcare management at NYU, and is a NYAM Fellow. In conversation with NYAM, she discussed how a visit to the academy can impact high school students.
“We’re in a pilot with NYU students, and we are working with them to develop curriculum and offer opportunities that will have them explore healthcare while they’re in high school but also create a pathway for them with straight-through college, potentially medical school, and beyond,” Dr. Lombardi explained when discussing how Leslin, her organization, partners with NYU’s SPS High School Academy.
She also stressed the importance of bringing high school students to the library at New York Academy of Medicine. “The library is the living proof of our history and of what medicine has done over the ages. Thank goodness for the connections of curiosity, discovery, and how the human spirit delves beneath the surface. Resilience fills in the values that are so critical for our young people in this world and whatever the world will be.”
During each of the students’ three visits, our Historical Collections Librarian, Arlene Shaner, gave them a tour of the history of medicine, covering 500 years of medical advancements and our longstanding commitment to the health of New Yorkers. Ms. Shaner reflected on the importance of the partnership between New York Academy of Medicine and NYU’s SPS High School Academy.
“Having these students visit opens up an opportunity for them to engage with the library’s collections, learn about our history and present work, broadens their understanding of how diverse careers in health and medicine can be, and builds a direct connection so that they all know they can choose to come back and use the library at any time for their own projects,” she explained. 2026 was the second summer that NYU-affiliated high school students toured NYAM. “These visits help us make an early connection to people who will be part of the next generation of health professionals.”
Dr. Lombardi and Ms. Shaner were instrumental in providing a unique experience for high school students who are exploring the field of medicine. Later in the day, the students learned about the Center for Evaluation & Applied Research (CEAR) at New York Academy of Medicine, which produces rigorous research with partner organizations driven by community input and engagement. Research Associate Mayssa Gregoire and Intern Rachel Cranston gave a short presentation before encouraging students to engage with several open-ended questions about public health. These included thought-provoking topics such as, “What matters more for your health, your DNA or your zip code?”
Ms. Gregoire and Ms. Cranston’s presentation was designed to show the students that there are many career pathways within the medical field, not just traditional ones. The students themselves expressed appreciation for the opportunity to visit New York Academy of Medicine and learn about the connections between the history, the present, and the future of medicine. A future that these students might shape.
“First, learning about the history of medicine showed me how fast tools improve to save lives. Second, seeing real medical practice showed me how much hard work and care it takes to be a doctor,” one student said after visiting. “This experience makes me want to study medicine even more. It is exciting to see how new ideas help sick people, and I want to do that in the future.”
Other students responded similarly, applying what they learned about medical history to their world, communities, and selves.
“After gaining understanding of the history of medicine/innovation and experiencing the practice of medicine, I believe that the doctors and physicians in history were crucial in shaping the healthcare world as it is today.”
After the three visits, Dr. Lombardi expressed gratitude for the partnership between Leslin, the NYU SPS High School Academy, and NYAM. She stressed the emphasis of helping students understand the living connection between medicine’s past and present.
“Through their visits and interactions with Arlene Shaner and New York Academy of Medicine, young people not only learn about the history of medicine but also understand why that history is important for the leaders they are becoming,” Dr. Lombardi concluded.
We are grateful to host bright young minds who could become the nurses, social workers, or doctors of tomorrow. They will help shape their communities and the world, and along the way, they can empower healthier, longer lives for all.