Bridging Generations, Building Great Doctors

On March 27, more than 20 students from the College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) spent an afternoon connecting with residents of the Gurwin Jewish – Fay J. Lindner Residences Assisted Living Community, located in Commack, N.Y.

Organized by the Maimonides Society, NYITCOM’s Jewish student organization (open to all faiths), and the Morgagni Medical Society, a student organization celebrating Italian heritage, the event featured a “speed dating” format, with students rotating between tables and engaging residents in brief but meaningful conversations.

Through these interactions, the future physicians gained more than clinical insight—they practiced active listening, empathy, and intergenerational communication, all essential qualities of compassionate care. The informal exchanges offered a valuable balance to traditional medical training, allowing students to step outside the classroom and clinic to gain a deeper understanding of the lived experiences and holistic needs of older adults. This understanding has become increasingly important in healthcare, especially on Long Island, where the senior population continues to grow.

Among the key event organizers was John Mari, a member of the Morgagni Medical Society for whom the event was especially meaningful. Mari’s late grandfather was a Gurwin resident and valued member of the community.

“Honestly, it was humbling for us to hear the stories of the residents—a centenarian who had wise advice for patient care, a Holocaust survivor who fled without their parents into the countryside of Belgium during World War II, and a New York Tech alumnus who taught me some words in Yiddish. These are the stories that we cannot find in a textbook or a lecture slide,” said Mari. “These are the stories that we need to take the time to listen to from real people with real experiences, building rapport as we learn to do in our Doctor-Patient Relations course. These are also the types of stories my colleagues would have heard from my grandpa, John Mari, Jr., a very kind-hearted man who truly enjoyed just sitting down with someone and talking to them, often with a big smile on his face. I know that my grandpa was indeed smiling down on all of us.”

Mari’s co-organizers, Esther Moshe and Sabrina Paolo, presidents of the Maimonides Society and Morgagni Medical Society, respectively, agreed that the greatest pleasure was seeing the joy on residents’ faces. The group aims to hold similar events in the future.

“Connecting students with our residents provides so much more than entertainment,” said Gurwin Healthcare System President and Chief Executive Officer Stuart B. Almer. “It allows our seniors to share their stories, wisdom, and laughter while giving students a deeper understanding of human connection and care. Everyone benefitted today.”