NYU med students to graduate early to fight coronavirus

New York University announced Wednesday that it will graduate its 2020 class of medical students early in order to put more doctors into New York’s medical system in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

NBC New York  reports that the school made a statement explaining that “in response to the growing spread of COVID-19, and in response to Governor [Andrew] Cuomo’s directive to get more physicians into the health system more quickly, NYU Grossman School of Medicine and NYU have agreed to permit early graduation for its medical students.”

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This move is reportedly pending approval by governing bodies including the Department of Education.

A copy of an email announcement reportedly sent to medical students was posted on Twitter by Politico reporter Dan Diamond.

”We ask for your help. The Medical School and the University have agreed to permit early graduation for students who agree to begin working as an intern now,” reads the email. “This is consistent with a national discussion regarding the early graduation of eligible medical students so they can join the healthcare workforce prior to the typical July 1 starting date.”

This is remarkable: NYU’s medical school is allowing students to graduate *now*, three months early, to become interns and join the fight against coronavirus. (Email via a tipster.) pic.twitter.com/gHa3fshnwe

— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) March 25, 2020

”We are writing to ask you to consider this option,” it continues, before going on to list the requirements for eligibility, including that candidates “voluntarily agree to work as an MD in our Internal Medicine or Emergency Medicine Departments beginning in April.”

Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @celinedryan