Upstate Medical University announces Upstate Say Yes scholarship, first recipient

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Upstate Medical University in Syracuse has created its first-ever Upstate Say Yes scholarship that will provide financial support for pursuit of a four-year medical degree.

It’ll include four years of tuition to medical school, housing in Upstate’s Geneva Tower, and a yearly $5,000 stipend for the four-year medical degree path, per Upstate’s online announcement.

The total scholarship gift will exceed $240,000 for the four-year degree program.

Upstate officials say the number of Say Yes scholarships that will be awarded each year will depend on the number of Say Yes students accepted into Upstate’s medical school.

The July 15 announcement also included the awarding of the first Say Yes scholarship to Alex Guerrero, a Syracuse resident who emigrated from Cuba. Guerrero is a 2018 graduate of Henninger High School and received a Say Yes scholarship to attend SUNY Cortland, where he received his bachelor’s degree in 2022.

“Upstate Medical University offers numerous programs aimed at creating opportunities for education and job pathways for many of our Syracuse neighbors,” Dr. Mantosh Dewan, president of Upstate Medical University, said in the announcement. “Eliminating boundaries to higher education and employment is a most gratifying undertaking and a major focus of work as an academic medical center, as we look to prepare tomorrow’s health care workforce.”

Ahmeed Turner, executive director of Say Yes Syracuse, appreciates the opportunity Upstate is offering to Say Yes students and said Guerrero is the “perfect candidate” for the inaugural award.

“Alex is an example of the talent we have right here in the Syracuse City School District,” Turner said. “We’re proud of the progress he’s made and happy we were able to assist in making his journey possible.”

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh who participated in the July 15 announcement with SUNY Chancellor John King recognized Guerrero and his family during the ceremony held in Upstate’s Setnor Academic Building.