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How many participants have there been?

[The first Doctor (in 1969) was Arthur W Mruczek Sr MD. He practices Ophthalmology since 1976 at the Lake Plains Eye Center. Since then, seventeen (17) Doctors have participated in the Medical Scholarship Program. Five physicians [Drs. Arthur W Mruczek, Frank L. Cutson, Joseph Misiti, Deborah A Preishel White and Eric Johnson] returned to practice for the prescribed 6 years and Celeste Stahl Balaban DO will return to practice in Middleport when she completes her residency in June 2011. So, as of 2010, we are 6 for 17. That is a success rate of 35% ]

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Where were they from?

[OCMSB must follow the New York Education Laws and therefore, everyone who signed on the program was a resident of New York State.

• -Genesee County: 1969-Arthur W Mruczek MD, Corfu
• -Erie County: 1983-Deborah Preishel White DO, North Tonawanda
• -Orleans County: 1972-Frank Cutson MD, 1972-Joseph Misiti MD, 1985-Eric Johnson MD.
• -Orleans County: there are ten physicians who fulfilled their contract financially. Listed in the year of the initial contract they are: (1971-DFN, 1971-ED,1978-SRB, 1979-DGH, 1980-TLS, 1980-DP, 1984-DT, 1987-CHC, 1991-RKF, 2001-IW)

The Board will review all New York Resident applications and responds to all inquiries. Orleans County Residents accepted into a Duly Approved Medical Training Program are guaranteed a 'face to face' interview as well. The most under the program with an active contract was three, the most leanest year was a single Medical Doctor Studying.]

 

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Why no Primary Care Docs?

[The concept of the Scholarship Arrangement as formulated by the Old Board Of Directors in 1966 under the 1963 New York State Education Law Amendment was to insure general practitioners to serve the Orleans County Population. Over the Years Med Students have met with the board to request study in a specialty that would benefit the Medical Community, e.g. OB-Gyn, Ophthalmology, Surgeon, Cardiology etc. These requests were discussed in a meeting with the Board and the Applicant and usually approved. Request decisions were evaluated to meet a logical need for the County and a realization that specialty training programs were difficult to obtain positions for. If the Doctor was inclined to practice a specialty that would benefit the county residents and hospitals, the decision was positive. For instance, a Brain Surgeon or Hand Specialist would not survive in the County since a larger population would be necessary to sustain a successful practice. ]

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How many have paid back their arrangements?

[The County has never lost on this one. Five Doctors have returned to the area with a sixth to return in June 2011. The five have practiced for six years and their Contract has been fulfilled. Ten Doctors have paid back Orleans County in full thru contractual arrangements mutually acceptable to the County Attorney and the County Treasurer. Two Doctors are currently on the 'Actively Studying' portion of their Arrangement. One is an internist completing training in Cleveland, who will be returning to Orleans County. The second is a Psychiatric Resident at the Syracuse Program in the first year of his residency at Upstate in Syracuse. So, as of 2010, we are 6 for 17. That is a success rate of over 35%, better than baseball. ]

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What Schools have the Students Attended?

[The contract with the County does not limit the School for Matriculation only stating it must be an approved Stateside Program that leads to an MD or DO degree. Students choose the Schools and not the Board.

• - 5-SUNY @ Buffalo School of Medicine
• - 3-Syracuse Upstate University School of Medicine
• - 2-University of Rochester Medical School
• - 2-New York College of Osteopathy
• - 2-New York College of Osteopathy
• - 1-Desmoines University College of Osteopathy
• - 1-Indiana University School of Medicine
• - 1-New York School of Medicine

Over the years, there have been many questions about studying offshore or overseas (e.g. Switzerland, Bulgaria, Italy, India, Caribbean and many others). Although the training programs satisfy education requirements, the 1963 Education Law mandates duly approved stateside Medical Schools leading to a Medical Doctor's Degree are acceptable to be funded. This is why the committee's hands are tied and unable to funding nursing or dental programs.]

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When is the next board Meeting?

[The board meets once each year. You can contact any board member or the legislature at any time an ask for information. See the "board information" page in this site for board members you may know.]

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Why wait till Med School Acceptance?

[The board has guidelines upon it and can meet with a prospective student at any time. In fact, the board enjoys meeting with prospective -pre-med students to answer any questions and help in any way possible such as reference letters, arranging health related volunteer or shadowing experience. However, a contract for Medical Scholarship cannot by law be rendered and signed until an acceptance letter is provided from a duly approved USA stateside Medical School.]

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