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About Upstate

SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY, is the only academic medical center in Central New York. It is also the region's largest employer with 9,460 employees.

Affiliated with the State University of New York, Upstate's mission is to improve the health of the community through education, biomedical research and health care.

Upstate Medical University's educational mission is anchored by its four colleges—Medicine, Nursing, Health Professions and Graduate Studies (biomedical sciences). Since 2006, student enrollment has grown by 30% as Upstate responds to the needs of the region.

As a biomedical research enterprise, Upstate focuses on the most prevalent human diseases, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, nervous system disorders, vision, and infectious diseases. The quest for treatments and cures is built upon expertise in structural, molecular and systems biology. Upstate also offers many clinical trials for patients.

The Upstate University Health System serves 1.8 million people, often the most seriously ill and injured, and includes Upstate University Hospital; Upstate University Hospital at Community Campus; Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital, and numerous satellite sites.

Regional response

Stretching north to Canada and south to the Pennsylvania, Upstate's sphere of influence can be felt across a wide swath of New York. Education programs in various locations across the state help train medical professionals in their home communities. Clinical care, too, is spread far and wide, with physicians using telemedicine to help cover medical specialist shortages in rural communities. And the Upstate Poison Center, from its hub in Syracuse, provides poison information and support for millions of New Yorkers.

Powering New York's economy

The region's only public academic medical center, Upstate powers the CNY economy to a tune of $2.3 billion. The economic benefit to the region goes hand in hand with Upstate's presence as the region's largest employer with nearly 9,000 people from nearly 30 New York counties. That's a payroll of more than $600 million that gets recirculated throughout Central New York in purchasing power, as well as state and local taxes. Upstate's research enterprise, now totaling more than $40 million, and its clinical operations, serving nearly half a million patients, adds muscle to Upstate's economic might.

Unlocking medicine's mysteries

Upstate's $40-plus million research enterprise is critical to its role as an academic medical center. Not only does Upstate educate students and care for patients, it provides hope for a healthier tomorrow through its robust research agenda. While research is being done in many areas, Upstate has initiated a full court press in the battle to better treatments for cancer. Its Cancer Research has attracted influential scientists from across the country with its ability to offer the state-of-the art resources to find newer, less toxic drugs for cancer care.

Responsive Growth

Upstate has moved ahead in key areas of its operation. The acquisition of Community General Hospital, the transformation of a downtown high-rise into student apartments, the addition of research space in the Institute of Human Performance and the opening of the Neurosciences Research Building, the construction of a biotech accelerator, and the Upstate Cancer Center are key attributes for the campus's mission-based growth.

Community outreach is part of Upstate's mission

Upstate employees benefit hundreds of local community service agencies through their support of the Community Giving Campaign. Upstate is noted as one of the area's most generous employers when it comes community support. In addition, Upstate's dedicated team of volunteers, Team Upstate, spearheads the university's response to numerous charity events, including Vera House, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society and others.

 

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