VP&S Students Travel to Albany

On Feb. 10, a contingent of 23 students from CUIMC schools, including VP&S, traveled to Albany to deepen their understanding of the New York state legislative process and advocate for health policies they personally value. During “Albany Day,” students met with more than half a dozen assembly members and state senators and several other officials, including Chloe Coffman, senior policy adviser for health to Gov. Kathy Hochul, and James V. McDonald, New York state commissioner of health.

Before the trip, all students attended mandatory training on advocacy and developed a series of policy advocacy documents. In Albany, the students presented their positions to elected officials, representing themselves and not the institution, on topics ranging from the New York Health Act to mental health response to reproductive health. Some students arranged their own meetings with elected officials, and many attended the Legislature’s annual budget hearing on health spending and policy.

“When students step into the halls of the Capitol not as spectators, but as advocates, democracy grows stronger,” said New York state Sen. Robert Jackson, who hosted the Columbia group. “I was proud to welcome these future physicians, nurses, public health leaders, and dental professionals as they engaged directly in the legislative process. Their preparation, their clarity, and their courage to speak remind us that policy is not abstract—it shapes lives.”

A third-year medical student at VP&S, Frances Morris, said Albany Day was “an invaluable opportunity,” and added: “It was inspiring to see how accessible elected officials and the legislative process can be. The experience left me feeling empowered to advocate for patients and motivated to integrate advocacy into my future career.”