Yeshiva University Receives Authorization to Open Medical and Dental Schools

The Yeshiva University today announced that it has received authorization to open medical and dental schools and give courses leading to the degrees of Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Dental Surgery. The authorization was decided upon at a meeting of the New York State Board of Regents on Dec. 15, the announcement said.

“With the granting of this right by the State Board of Regents, Yeshiva University will move ahead with its plans to open the first Medical School, in the entire world excluding Israel, under Jewish auspices, “Dr. Samuel Belkin, president of the University said. The permission for Yeshiva University to conduct programs in medical and dental education came five years after Yeshiva was elevated to University status by action of the same Board of Regents.

Dr. Belkin declared that the projected plans for raising large sums of money to open a Medical School of the highest grade and calibre will be embarked upon shortly. He asserted that negotiations which have begun earlier with hospitals in New York City will be speeded up and if necessary broadened. He pointed out the specific location is as yet undetermined although several spots have been given careful consideration.

“In the development of our Medical School, we shall be guided by an Advisory Council on Medical Education, comprising leading medical educators and physicians, now in formation,” he said. Dr. Belkin stated: “We appreciate fully the confidence that has been placed in us by the State and we hope that we shall live up to this faith by establishing a school that will be a credit to American education.” He added that the only criteria for admission would be ability and character.

PLANS TO RAISE $10,000,000 TO OPEN MEDICAL SCHOOL IN 1952

“To the present moment the Yeshiva University neither solicited nor accepted any gifts for the future medical school, since we were not officially authorized by the Board of Regents to organize such a school.” Dr. Belkin pointed out: “Now, that such authorization is granted to us, it is our intention to launch a national campaign for the realization of our long-cherished dream. Our immediate goal is that during the year of 1951, we shall be able to raise about $10,000,000 which will make it possible for us to open the school in 1952. I am confident that the American community, and particularly the American Jewish community will respond enthusiastically to our call.

“In seeking to establish a medical school, Yeshiva University is governed by the consideration that it is anxious to render service to our nation and especially to solidify Jewish contributions to American higher and professional education,” Dr. Belkin declared. “As the first American university under Jewish suspices, Yeshiva University is deeply concerned in blazing a trail of its own in the field of higher education in conformity with the great American democratic traditions of education and in harmony with the spiritual heritage of Judaism.”

Yeshiva University comprises eight schools and divisions with an enrollment of almost 2,000 students from all parts of the world. The eight schools and divisions of the University are the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, Yeshiva College of Liberal Arts and Science, Teachers Institute, Uernard Revel Graduate School, Harry Fischell School for Higher Jewish Studies, School of Education and Community Administration, Talmudical Academy High Schools, and the Institute of Mathematics.