Office of Student Mental Health and Wellness Kickstarts the Wellness Ambassador Program
The Student-led Program Provides Additional Mental Health and Wellness Support
To prioritize mental health and well-being, the Office of Student Mental Health and Wellness (SMHW) proudly launched the College’s first cohort of the Wellness Ambassador Program. The student-led program, open to New York Medical College and Touro College of Dental Medicine students, acts as a liaison to the Office of SMHW and collaborates on initiatives that reflect the strong value the College places on peer support and student involvement in elevating the importance of mental health and wellness of the campus community.
Wellness ambassadors play a crucial role in educating students about available mental health resources, promoting well-being practices, and elevating the significance of emotional and psychological health within the campus environment. Breaking down stigmas around mental health, the ambassadors engage their peers in open conversations, offering support and acting as a bridge to professional services when needed. Additionally, they actively encourage participation in mental health and wellness programs, collaborating with SMHW to develop impactful campus-wide events.
“Our wellness ambassadors are a great point person for the Office,” said Robin Hershkowitz, M.S.W., LCSW-R, left, senior director of SMHW and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. “Students are often more comfortable going to a peer for help rather than administration. This group can talk with their peers in a different way and now have more extensive knowledge and understanding of our services.”
“I'm thrilled by the enthusiasm that our wellness ambassadors are exhibiting toward this new role and their ability to contribute in this way,” Amy Stern, LCSW-R, right, assistant director of SMHW. “We have mature, compassionate and really impressive students at our College.”
Students are encouraged to contact any of the 15 wellness ambassadors after class, in the halls or by email, if they have any questions about available wellness resources or need someone to speak to. SMHW provides wellness ambassadors with comprehensive training and development in communication, active listening, identification of signs of academic and psychological distress, combating mental health stigma, stress management, and de-escalation techniques to help students dealing with various stressful situations.
"I have noticed a few friends feeling stressed from their studies and many other issues in their lives," said Donggyoon Hong, left front row, SOM Class of 2027 and wellness ambassador. "By becoming a wellness ambassador, I would like to be able to provide them with real help so that this community that I love can persist strong and healthy."
“Mental health and wellness are unfortunately stigmatized, especially in medicine and with professional advancement,” said Ipsha Banerjee, fifth from right back row, SOM Class of 2026 and wellness ambassador. “Initiatives like this not only provide essential support in the present, but also empower us as students to cultivate a mindset that both acknowledges the importance of seeking help and prioritizes mental wellbeing as an integral component of our future success.”
2023-2024 Wellness Ambassadors
School of Medicine
Ipsha Banerjee, Class of 2026
Michelle Cohen, Class of 2026
Rebecca Kann, Class of 2026
Alexandria Patti, Class of 2026
Bram Roth, Class of 2026
Ilana Feldman, Class of 2027
Donggyoon Hong, Class of 2027
Amber Jordan, Class of 2027
Aliza Makovsky, Class of 2027
Tara Nichols, Class of 2027
Rachael Villari, Class of 2027
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Tanishka Wiggins, Class of 2025
School of Health Sciences and Practice
Amit Shah, DPT Class of 2025
Shayla Unger, DPT Class of 2025
Dana Vaughn, SLP Class of 2025