Charles and Muriel Kornheiser Clinical Scholars Program

The Charles and Muriel Kornheiser Clinical Scholars Program at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center (Roslyn, NY) is part of a donation by the Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund. 

This clinical scholarship program aims to provide two paid research internships each year to college graduates who aspire to a medical career. Candidates from underrepresented minorities (URM) in medicine are encouraged to apply.

*URM. Association of American Medical Colleges: Underrepresented in medicine means those racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population. In the U.S., this generally includes students who identify as African Americans, Native Americans, (American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians), and Hispanic Americans.

About the Clinical Scholars Program

Scholars selected for the program are paired with a physician mentor who is an active clinical and research physician at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center. This full time, paid position will focus on research activities and clinical observations in cardiovascular medicine at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center. Scholars will collaborate with a research team to contribute to scientific publications, as a result of research activities, and will attend a national scientific meeting.

Through structured lectures and journal club, scholars will learn about research methodology to strengthen critical thinking skills and to supplement their research work. Scholars will be trained to analyze various cardiac imaging modalities including Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), CT, MRI and coronary angiograms.

They will also have the opportunity to interact with patients through their research work. Opportunities exist for the scholars to build networks of formal and informal contacts in the medical community that will provide support as they seek future career goals.

  • Able to commit to the Clinical Scholars program for one year 
  • Recent graduates who received a baccalaureate degree or a current senior planning to graduate by May 2025
  • GPA of 3.6 or higher
  • Plans to pursue an advanced degree in biomedical sciences

The Clinical Scholars Program application provides instructions for completion and submission.

Send your completed application to: SFHscholarsprogram@chsli.org

  • Resume/CV
  • Unofficial copy of transcript to date
  • Personal essay
  • Two/three letters of recommendation

Application submission deadline: February 1, 2025

Interviews will be held Feb- March 2025

Candidates’ selection date: April 2025

Program start date: July 1, 2025

Administrative Office of the Charles and Muriel Kornheiser Clinical Scholars Program

Call: 833-CSP-SFH4 (833-277-7344)

Email: SFHscholarsprogram@chsli.org

CSP Students 2024
Class of 2024-2025: Sophia Qiu (left), and Angel Salcedo (right)

 

Christopher Sarpong and Jonathan Orozco-Diaz
Class of 2023-2024: Christopher Sarpong (left) and Jonathan Orozco-Diaz (right)

 

clinical-scholars-2022
Class of 2022-2023: Cristian Espada (left) and Leana Figueroa (right)

 

2021 Scholars
Class of 2021-2022: Dylan Dominquez Sulca (left) and Elma Chowdhury (right)

I feel fortunate for the space the Kornheiser Clinical Scholars Program has given me to explore my knowledge gaps within medicine. Everyone I've met – physicians, nurses, research analysts, imaging specialists, etc. – has shown remarkable passion and enthusiasm for their area of specialty, and I can see that translate directly into the work they put out. On top of partaking in research projects and familiarizing my grasp on imaging modalities, I’m lucky to learn from the expertise of the staff here and hear about the diverse paths that led each to where they are. There isn’t one definition for what it means to be successful in medicine, and that has never been clearer as I see it exemplified in the staff at St. Francis Hospital: an array of roles all working towards a better quality of patient care. This chapter in my journey has deepened my insight into healthcare, nurtured my professional growth, and shaped my future trajectory indefinitely.

Sophia Qiu, B.S. Neuroscience, University at Buffalo, Class of 2023

Joining the research team at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center has been such a privilege. As one of the Kornheiser Clinical Scholars, I have not only gotten to expand my knowledge of various cardiomyopathies and the types of cardiac imaging used to test for and monitor them, but I have also gotten to do so through direct patient interaction and physician shadowing. It has been so valuable to me to witness and partake in each step of the research process for different projects, be it patient enrollment, data entry, or statistical analyses. The culture and environment here is incredibly welcoming, and I am grateful to have experienced it on my journey to becoming a physician.

AJ Salcedo, A.B. Anthropology, Princeton University, Class of 2024