As part of their onboarding experience, Mount Sinai residents review, via simulation training, how to call a code, how to respond, different roles on the code team, how to manage the hospital patient during a code, and how to communicate efficiently during emergencies.

At 14 sites across the five boroughs of New York City, the Mount Sinai Health System welcomed 950 new residents in late June to its hospital campuses, in addition to Valley Hospital, Elmhurst Hospital, Queens Hospital Center, and the Bronx VA.

“Our incoming class of residents is an extraordinary and talented group of young doctors,” says Michael Leitman, MD, Dean for Graduate Medical Education (GME) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a practicing surgeon.

“We make a big deal out of welcoming them because it is one of the toughest transitions for a medical doctor in training, moving out of the classroom and into the real world. I remember it well because there are so many firsts, including the moment your first patient calls you ‘doctor.’ You realize how much responsibility is on your shoulders,” says Dr. Leitman.  First year residents, previously called “interns,” will practice medicine under the guidance of an attending physician for three to seven years, depending on their chosen specialty.

“We make a big deal out of welcoming them because it is one of the toughest transitions for a medical doctor in training, moving out of the classroom and into the real world.” — Michael Leitman, MD, Dean for Graduate Medical Education

The class of 2026 residents are a highly qualified cohort who became residents at Mount Sinai after one of the most competitive years for residency matches, according to Dr. Leitman. The National Resident Matching Program, which oversees the matching of young doctors into residency posts, reported that 53,373 applicants registered for the match this year—competing for 41,126 positions and reflecting a trend of strong growth.

Mount Sinai’s GME program is the largest in the United States, according to Dr. Leitman. Each year, thousands of residents and fellows rotate through its programs, many considered among the best in the country. With more than 250 programs, Mount Sinai provides top-tier educational opportunities in almost every specialty—yet that’s just one of many aspects that makes the Icahn School of Medicine exceptional.

Residents are drawn to Mount Sinai for the wide spectrum of accredited, high-profile GME programs, the opportunity to study in one of more than 350 labs, and to do research in an institution ranked No. 11 for National Institutes of Health funding. The 2026 Doximity Residency Navigator, considered the definitive reference for top residency programs, based on peer nominations, ranks Mount Sinai’s many residency programs at the top.

“I think we’ve created an atmosphere of growth and trust. The residents have each other’s backs, and their faculty mentors really encourage an atmosphere of teamwork, where we all work for each other,” says Michael Leitman, MD.

For Dr. Leitman, much has changed since he began his journey as a medical doctor, including the specialties that future doctors choose.

“When I chose surgery, it was considered an outlier. My colleagues asked, ‘Why surgery, you won’t have enough patients to operate on; medical discoveries are eliminating the need for surgery.’ That couldn’t be farther from the truth,” says Dr. Leitman, who has held several leadership roles in Mount Sinai’s Department of Surgery.

“Radiology was not a draw back then. We all thought of radiology as being isolating, sitting in a dark room and writing reports. It’s now very popular, in large part due to advances in technology, including the introduction of AI,” says Dr. Leitman.

In fact, in addition to Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, Radiology has become one of the most competitive specialties. Mount Sinai offers several top-ranked Radiology specialties, including Interventional Radiology–Integrated, Radiology Nuclear Medicine, and Radiology Diagnostic, all of them top ranked programs.

The culture at Mount Sinai has also changed, and there is now more of an emphasis on physician well-being.

“Since I was a young resident in the 1980s, the opportunities have grown in leaps and bounds. And at Mount Sinai, where we have a robust residency program, the sheer volume of talented residents and fellows means we don’t need to force them to do grueling 24-hour shifts. That was something I grew up with, and I’m glad we were able to move away from that model,” says Dr. Leitman.

“I think we’ve created an atmosphere of growth and trust. The residents have each other’s backs, and their faculty mentors really encourage an atmosphere of teamwork, where we all work for each other,” says Dr. Leitman.

Residents are drawn to Mount Sinai for the wide spectrum of accredited, high-profile GME programs, the opportunity to study in one of more than 350 labs, and to do research in an institution ranked No. 11 for National Institutes of Health funding.

The institution keeps a watchful eye on its residents and faculty and monitors physician wellness through regular surveys, taking corrective steps when the surveys suggest problems, says Dr. Leitman. In fact, Mount Sinai was among the first in the county to publish on post-traumatic stress disorder among graduate medical education trainees. As a result, the program has earned a national reputation for its innovative resources geared toward well-being.

“Physician burnout is a real thing, and we are laser focused on knowing how everyone is doing—from our newest residents to our senior faculty—so we can make changes that will optimize their work life,” says Dr. Leitman. He has found a critical partner in the institution’s Well-Being and Work Experience Core, which runs a robust program geared toward enhancing workplace culture through leadership trainings, coaching efforts, communications tools, and role modeling.

“We will never eliminate all of the challenges of health care, but we can take steps to minimize daily stressors and enhance the lives of our residents so they can focus on their true calling of doctoring,” said Dr. Leitman.

Six master’s program graduates from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences discuss how they are using their degrees to explore new paths in science, health care, and medicine.

How Zirui (Frank) Feng Found a Way To Connect His Computational Background With Real Biomedical Discovery Through a Master of Science in Biomedical Data Science and AI Degree

“The master’s program at Mount Sinai helped me move from data science into biomedical discovery, and the next step for me is to become an independent scientist who can build technologies that turn molecular insight into medicines.”

 Read the Q&A

With a Master of Science in Clinical Research, Taylor Ward Aims to Advance Cardiovascular Health Through Research, Education, and Community Partnership

“What drew me to Mount Sinai was its commitment to health equity and translational research. The program allowed me to work alongside clinicians, researchers, and community partners while developing the skills needed to design meaningful clinical research.”

Read the Q&A

Sameer Ahmed, Long Curious About Air Quality and Respiratory Health, Gets a Master of Public Health Degree—and a New York City Job in Asthma Prevention

“My interest in public health and asthma work is deeply personal. I was born in and spent the first 18 years of my life in Pakistan, where air pollution and poor air quality are major public health concerns.”

Read the Q&A

Intrigued by Neurobiology and Molecular Biology, Nitika Kamath Receives a Master of Science in Biomedical Science Degree as she Pursues a Career in Translational Research

“Mount Sinai provided the ideal ecosystem for me to elevate my technical expertise and grow as a researcher, largely due to the exceptional culture of mentorship and collaboration.”

 Read the Q&A

Rohitha Ravisekar, MBBS, MHA, Gets a Master of Science in Epidemiology Degree To Learn More About the Environmental, Social, and Systemic Forces that Can Shape Individual Health Outcomes

“I want to build a career at the intersection of epidemiology, environmental health, and health care improvement, with a particular focus on translating research findings into meaningful changes in clinical care.”

Read the Q&A

How a Master of Health Administration Degree Is Giving Maggie So, Fresh Perspectives on Health Care—Knowledge She Now Uses as a Hospital Office Manager

“I have always wanted to help people and felt at home whenever I was in a hospital setting. I want to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. I believe in always treating people the way I would like me, my daughter, and my family to be treated, no matter one’s race, ethnicity, or gender.”

Read the Q&A

The Master’s Commencement ceremony at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SInai Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of the close to 200 students of the 2026 class who excelled across a wide range of scholarly efforts.

A total of 182 graduates earned degrees across eight programs: Master of Science in Biomedical Science, Master of Public Health, Master of Heath Administration, Master of Science in Clinical Research, Master of Science in Epidemiology, Master of Science in Biomedical Data Science and AI, Master of Science in Biostatistics, and Master of Science in Genetic Counseling.

From Left: Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD; student speaker Nitika Kamath, MSBS; and Marta Filizola, PhD

Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, Mount Sinai Health System, greeted the students, faculty, friends, and families in attendance, and congratulated the graduates on their achievements.

“Technology can accelerate discovery, but it cannot replace human judgment, imagination, or empathy,” he said. “Progress depends on smart, committed, knowledgeable people generating novel solutions. With your education and training at Mount Sinai, with your skills, passion, and drive, you are exceptionally prepared to meet the challenge…Rely not only on your technical education, but also on the growth, resilience, adaptability, and perseverance that brought you to this point. The path to greatness rarely begins with certainty. It begins with curiosity, eagerness, and a deep desire to contribute toward the greater good.”

Marta Filizola, PhD, Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and the Sharon & Frederick A. Klingenstein/Nathan G. Kase, MD Professor of Pharmacological Sciences, recounted the many specific achievements of this class and said:  “The graduates of 2026 are ready to make their impact on science and medicine, to drive innovative research, realize the potential of AI in medicine, advance the delivery of health care, effectively advocate for patients, eliminate health disparities, and make hospitals and health systems more efficient and cost-effective. We are very proud of all you have achieved at Mount Sinai, and we look forward to seeing the mark you will make on our world.”

Claire Pomeroy, MD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation, was presented with an honorary doctor of science degree for her vision and action in making a positive, meaningful, and lasting impact on health by accelerating support for medical research.

Dr. Pomeroy talked about a challenging childhood being raised in a home “full of abuse and fear,” and an uncertain life. Still, she said: “I was lucky. I had foster parents who took care of me and teachers who believed in me. But I saw a lot of other foster kids who were not so lucky; kids who society was willing to ‘throw away’; kids who saw no future and therefore gave up hope.

Claire Pomeroy, MD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation

“This formed my core values of caring for the vulnerable and fighting for social justice—and those core values have been my moral compass and have guided all that I have done since.”

She told the graduates: “Embrace your core values and understand what gives meaning to your life, so that you can define the best way for you to give meaning to other people’s lives.”

Student speaker Nitika Kamath, MSBS, asked her classmates to reflect on their shared experiences. “Every failed experiment. Every technical setback. Every difficult exam. Every critique we received. Every single moment has forged us into individuals stronger than who we were. They refined our thinking, strengthened our resolve, and prepared us for uncertainties we have yet to encounter.”

She added: “Thank you for supporting one another. Thank you for believing in one another. Lastly, thank you for helping shape one another into the people we are today.”

Titus Kong, MHA

Titus Kong, MHA, is an alumnus of the Master of Health Administration (MHA) program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The MHA program prepared him for a career as an Operations Supervisor in Mount Sinai’s Emergency Department.

Mr. Kong started his higher education journey studying Organizational Psychology at Baruch College. He completed his undergraduate degree in 2022 and began looking for Human Resources positions around New York City.

He worked as a line cook, waiter, and server at various restaurants, where he discovered that he enjoyed serving people. Mr. Kong’s next role was at Gentile Retina, an ophthalmology clinic run by the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai. He worked there for two years, gaining useful clinical experience. Mr. Kong enjoyed interacting with patients and found that they enjoyed his dedication to providing a positive care experience for them.

“I had a lot of fun interacting with the patients at Gentile Retina. They enjoyed the service and dedication that I provided. It felt fulfilling to address their needs and concerns.”

Mr. Kong wanted to expand his career and began looking into graduate programs. He noticed that the Icahn School of Medicine had an MHA program. He found that this program aligned with what he was looking for professionally. He discovered that some of the doctors he worked with were professors at Mount Sinai, which inspired him to apply. He only applied to the MHA program at the Icahn School of Medicine; he says it was that program or nothing.

Mr. Kong also has a personal connection to The Mount Sinai Hospital—he was born there.

Upon joining the program, Mr. Kong found two courses to be particularly impactful during his studies. The first was Health System Operations and Program Management, taught by Victoria Ellsworth, MHA, who now serves as his advisor. The course provided a comprehensive overview of health care operations across a variety of care settings, including inpatient and ambulatory operations, quality and safety, patient experience, supply chain management, health care facilities, emergency management, and the relationship between operations and finance. The course gave Mr. Kong a practical understanding of how different hospital departments work together, preparing him to coordinate teams and drive operational improvements in a fast-paced emergency care environment.

The second course that had a lasting impact on him was Population Health and Managed Care, taught by Robert Fields, MD, MHA. The course explored the ongoing shift toward population health management and value-based care across the U.S. health care system, examining the clinical, financial, organizational, and analytical strategies required for health care organizations to succeed in an evolving landscape. Through the course, Mr. Kong developed an understanding of health care utilization trends, value-based payment models, risk management, and the importance of delivering high-quality care while maintaining financial sustainability.

He appreciated how the MHA program paired each student with a mentor. His mentor was Maya Ayoubi, MHA, a former member of the Patient Operations Team at Mount Sinai. He was inspired by Ms. Ayoubi’s dedication to improving processes and her advice to him; say yes to everything and to take on challenges to gain experience. Mr. Kong felt that Ms. Ayoubi understood his goals and helped him accomplish them during the program.

He credits David Feldgofel, MHA, Associate Director of the Emergency Department at The Mount Sinai Hospital, as an important mentor during his internship. This relationship has continued as Mr. Feldgofel is now his direct supervisor. Mr. Kong also found the MHA program staff to be helpful during his time as a student.

“The community that Mount Sinai builds is unique compared to other schools. Everyone wants to see you succeed. Faculty help you create connections to people and resources from the Health System to enhance your studies.”

Mr. Kong believes the most valuable part of his experience was learning from professors that are working professionals, often within the Mount Sinai Health System. He appreciated their in-depth knowledge and ability to relate classroom concepts to real-life applications. His training in the MHA program is invaluable in his current role as Operations Supervisor in the Emergency Department, where he regularly applies concepts related to workflow optimization, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.

Flexibility was an important part of the program for Mr. Kong, since he continued his work at Gentile Retina while completing his MHA at Mount Sinai. He was able to finish the program in just one year.

“The Mount Sinai MHA program offers both online and in-person classes. This is extremely helpful for students working full-time. The flexibility here is great compared to other graduate programs.”

Mr. Kong completed the program in 2025 and is now the Operations Supervisor in the Emergency Department at The Mount Sinai Hospital. He heard about the role from Ms. Ellsworth. He began as an intern in the Emergency Department, where he noticed the workflows and processes could use improvement.

“Mount Sinai is great at providing student opportunities. We receive a lot of emails from faculty with available internships. That’s how I found the role within the Department of Emergency Medicine.”

He was able to help identify the root issues in the Emergency Department and take steps to rectify the problems. Mr. Kong utilized lessons from his MHA courses, particularly related to concepts such as project management and data analysis. He now understands how operational decisions within the Emergency Department fit into larger health system goals, allowing him to approach challenges with both patient outcomes and organizational performance in mind. In addition, he also learned how to partner and communicate with staff in the department, specifically to help them understand why operational changes are necessary and what the positive results will be for them.

Mr. Kong plans to continue working at the Emergency Department and developing his career further at Mount Sinai.