Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education

Serving the underserved.

There is a continuing shortage of primary care physicians in this country, creating an urgent need for more family practitioners, general internists, pediatricians and obstetrician/gynecologists in many communities.  The shortage of African-American, Hispanic, and others underrepresented medical professionals in inner city areas is particularly acute.

Forty years ago, City College decided to make a difference by developing the most unique physician training programs in the nation – the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education.  Since its founding in 1973, Sophie Davis has recruited more underrepresented populations into medicine, increased medical services in underserved areas, and increased the availability of primary care physicians. 

Our innovative BS-MD program – an honors program – fast tracks a Bachelor of Science degree and the first two years of medical school in five years, after which our students finish their last two years of medical school at one of our partner medical schools.  Our 28-month PA Program leads to a BS degree and certification as a physician assistant.