Scott Suchin, M.D. ’99, R.N. Dr. Suchin’s own career path was far from traditional. Working as a registered nurse in an intensive care unit during the height of the AIDS epidemic, he saw firsthand the vital role nurses play in healthcare and formed bonds with patients and families in ways few others could. “Nurses are the unsung heroes of healthcare,” he says. “They’re the ones at the bedside, building trust with patients.”
Following his own journey from nursing to medicine—balancing full-time work and premed courses before entering Einstein—he realized that financial support could greatly help with this transition. “I wanted to make it easier for nurses to go to medical school, and so the idea for the scholarship slowly evolved from there.”
The COVID-19 pandemic brought this vision into sharper focus. In addition, many nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists told him about their aspirations. “Many said they would have pursued medicine if there had been more financial support,” Dr. Suchin says. “That’s when I knew I was on to something. I realized I could make a change that could have an impact.”
From there, he collaborated with healthcare leaders to shape a scholarship that would reflect the values he believes are essential for physicians: integrity, humility, kindness, empathy, and altruism. When he presented the idea for his scholarship to Einstein’s admissions and development offices, “they loved the idea,” says Dr. Suchin. “That’s how it all started.”
For Victoria Dai, the first recipient of the Jerry Suchin scholarship, nursing was more than daily patient care—it was a mission to build a more-inclusive healthcare system. With more than eight years of experience working in oncology departments and clinical trials at hospitals such as Johns Hopkins and NewYork-Presbyterian, Ms. Dai helped patients from diverse backgrounds navigate complex treatments.
“Oncology brings together so many aspects of medicine,” says Ms. Dai. “It’s a field where your knowledge base is varied and constantly growing, which excites me.”
Her work exposed her to disparities in clinical trials that mirrored broader inequities in healthcare, reinforcing her belief that “our study participant populations should reflect the real world.” As she explains, “When trials lack diversity, it affects the quality of care and treatments for underrepresented groups.” This desire to help drive change ultimately led her to pursue medical school.
Victoria Dai
To me, the scholarship is a statement that nurses belong in medicine and that our voices and experiences matter.
— Victoria Dai
When it came time to choose a program, Ms. Dai was thrilled to be accepted to Einstein, her top choice. Now with the financial burden lifted by the Jerry Suchin scholarship, the decision was clear. “I wanted to go to Einstein because of what it stood for, how its program was run, and the faculty and institutions it is connected with,” she says.
Ms. Dai says medical school has allowed her to deepen her scientific understanding of practices she performed as a nurse, and credits the Jerry Suchin scholarship for both providing a financial lifeline and validating her path. “To me, the scholarship is a statement that nurses belong in medicine and that our voices and experiences matter,” she says.
Caitlyn Duffy began her nursing career under the most-challenging circumstances: graduating early in April 2020 from the nursing program at the University of Vermont, one of several universities that expedited the degree-granting process due to COVID-19. Her first assignment was on a cardiac step-down unit converted into a COVID-19 ward.
Ms. Duffy remembers the experience as “trial by fire,” with long shifts and patient ratios climbing dramatically as her unit became overwhelmed. “We started with three to four patients per nurse, but it wasn’t long before I had seven patients,” she recalls. Despite the pressure, these intense experiences sparked a deeper resolve in her to care for patients at an advanced level.
“Seeing people suffer during COVID-19 with no clear treatments was a turning point,” Ms. Duffy says. “I knew I wanted to be a part of finding answers.” Personal and family experiences deepened her passion for making a meaningful difference in patient care. By working in various settings, including school nursing, pediatric acute care at Boston Children’s Hospital, and conducting CAR-T research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, she developed a strong interest in the science behind patient outcomes. “These experiences made me realize I wanted to be on the front lines of medical innovation,” she explains.
Caitlyn Duffy
I’m deeply grateful to Dr. Suchin and his family for supporting nurses and valuing the unique perspectives we bring to medicine.
— Caitlyn Duffy
Determined to do more, Ms. Duffy balanced a full-time role as a nurse and clinical research coordinator while completing a postbaccalaureate program at Harvard University. This path ultimately led her to pursue a medical degree at Einstein, where she was drawn to the College of Medicine’s supportive and open-minded culture.
Ms. Duffy is only a few months into her first year at Einstein, but she says she is already noticing how her nursing background gives her a unique perspective, especially in a clinical-facing career. “Having been a clinical research coordinator, certified nursing assistant, and registered nurse, I understand the day-to-day of what happens in the hospital,” she says. “That knowledge will be extremely helpful in the next phase of my education.”
“The scholarship has been incredibly helpful,” Ms. Duffy says. “It eases the financial stress so I can focus on studying without needing to take on tutoring jobs or worrying about rent and groceries, affording me the gift of time to explore all that Einstein has to offer. I’m deeply grateful to Dr. Suchin and his family for supporting nurses and valuing the unique perspectives we bring to medicine.”
To Ms. Dai, the scholarship symbolizes the belief that others have in her dream. “There are so many people here at Einstein who want to see you succeed and who are trying their best to help you succeed,” she says. “I feel extremely grateful knowing that someone deeply cares about my growth and has invested in my future.”
For Dr. Suchin, seeing these nurses pursue medical careers is a reminder that one person can make a big difference in people’s lives. “I’m just proud to help make this journey possible for more nurses,” he says.
To expand support for nurses who wish to attend Einstein, the endowed scholarship fund remains open to additional contributions. To establish your own legacy at Einstein, contact the office of alumni relations at einsteinalumni@einsteinmed.edu.
