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The presence of Educational Opportunity Program pre-medical scholar Mardiya Youssif Traore ‘24 alongside SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. at the State of the University Address in Albany this May serves as a poignant testament to the transformative impact of programs like the EOP Pre-Medical Scholars Program. Traore’s journey to her doctorate of optometry at Salus University in Pennsylvania, which has recently merged with Drexel University, is a powerful example of the dream-capturing opportunities afforded by SUNY EOP.

“Mardiya is— it became obvious to me as soon as we met—an extraordinary talent, and what she got out of the program is what drives us to build on the success of pre-med EOP and the unparalleled legacy of the program,” King said.

Participating in the virtual 2020 Binghamton Enrichment Program, Traore went on to study biology and earned a minor in Africana studies. With a great desire for an engaging collegiate experience, she immediately declared an interest in the First-Year Research Immersion program, aimed at involving new students in academic research. Traore enjoyed that eye-opening experience and pursued her research exploring biomarkers for detecting Alzheimer’s Disease as a TRIO Ronald E. McNair Scholar. Always knowing she wanted to be a health professional, Mardiya jumped at the chance to join the EOP Pre-Medical Scholars Program upon hearing about it from her EOP counselor, Joanna Cardona Lozada, who supported her successful application.

The inception of the Pre-Medical Scholars Program was driven by the need to address persistent income disparities in medical education. With approximately two-thirds of students in the nation’s medical schools coming from families within the top two quintiles of family income, the program was designed to provide support and resources to EOP students aspiring to attend SUNY’s medical universities.

Traore participated in the summer 2023 cohort at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn. The program has been instrumental in offering academic support, mentorship, clinical exposure, MCAT preparation assistance, academic coaching and workshops. Such exposure led Traore to a winter break internship at SUNY Optometry in January 2024 and subsequently to her decision to attend Salus University this fall to become an optometrist.

A proud Ghanaian, Mardiya found cultural support at Binghamton through leadership roles in the African Student Organization and the Muslim Student Association. As she embarks on the next chapter of her educational and professional journey, her story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring healthcare professionals everywhere.

Each summer, the Pre-Medical Scholars Program commences with a session at one of SUNY’s hospitals, providing participants like Traore with invaluable academic support, mentorship opportunities, clinical exposure, MCAT preparation assistance and workshops. This year, five students have been selected to participate in the EOP Pre-Medical Scholars Program at SUNY Downstate. These individuals are poised to serve as catalysts for change in their communities and beyond, embodying the values of inclusivity and excellence. These experiences will not only enrich their academic journey but also deepen their understanding of the healthcare landscape, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.