Enjoying golf at NYMC

Although it’s not in the curriculum at New York Medical College (NYMC) in Valhalla, golf is a subject that occasionally comes up at NYMC as it did at the end of March when a new golf simulator went into service and as the June 17 date approaches for NYMC’s annual golf tournament and reception.

The TruGolf APOGEE golf simulator is available for use by all NYMC and Touro College of Dental Medicine students, staff, and faculty members. Players can select from multiple virtual golf courses and adjust settings for weather conditions, wind speed, and difficulty level.

The golf simulator was made possible by the NYMC Board of Advisors and Dr. Martin S. Katzenstein, chair of the Board of Advisors, assistant dean for clinical affiliations, and associate professor of pediatrics.

Katzenstein told the Business Journal that the Board of Advisors undertakes projects that help make the student experience at NYMC more enjoyable.

“The golf tournament raises money for various student activities; also a fitness center where students can come and work out after they study. We also donate money to help the first year students when they begin school to give them a bag with various items of equipment such as stethoscopes that they can use during the first year. We also sponsor speakers who help guide students to careers in medicine.”

Katzenstein said that the board in the past raised funds that helped support the school’s simulator center where students learn how to diagnose various illnesses and practice medical procedures on dummies.

“The whole tournament is Kosher. We have a dinner after the golf tournament where we give out awards for various accomplishments on the golf course,” Katzenstein said. “During the golfing tournament we have two grills out on the course where people can eat burgers and franks and chicken. Students and nonstudents are welcome to participate. Alumni participate, parents of students. It’s people who want to have a good time and want to support the school. We’re honoring an NYMC Board of Trustees member, Kenneth Theobalds.”

Katzenstein said that he and NYMC and Touro President Dr. Alan Kadish formed the Board of Advisors about 10 years ago and it now has about 30 members.

“The tournament is a fun way to raise funds,” Katzenstein said. “It’s a time for people who work together in various ways in the hospital, medical school and our medical group to have a good time and raise funds for the school.”

The golf tournament takes place at Saint Andrew’s Golf Club in Hastings-on-Hudson on June 17. The schedule calls for golfer arrival and registration beginning at 10 a.m., a brunch from 10:30 to 11:45, golfing beginning at noon, BBQ lunch on the course and dinner and the awards ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. Sponsorship and ticket details are available through the NYMC website: NYMC.edu.