Upstate Medical University has joined a national effort to help veterans become doctors.

The Norton College of Medicine is partnering with Special Operations Forces to School of Medicine (SOFtoSOM) to clear a pathway to medical school for those who served as medics in special operations forces — such as Navy Seals, Army Rangers, Marine Raiders and others.

The Norton College of Medicine is now the fifth school in the country to partner with SOFtoSOM.

SOFtoSOM is a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding “special operators” in their medical education pursuits. Scholars are identified using selection protocols developed by special operations veterans and operational psychologists involved with selection for NASA. SOFtoSOM offers these scholars valuable opportunities to conduct research before entering medical school, as well as mentorship and financial assistance. Under this initiative, the Norton College of Medicine has committed to assisting qualifying SOF applicants who have completed the SOFtoSOM program with navigating the medical school application process and providing interview opportunities.

“We will offer an interview to SOFtoSOM candidates who have met the requisite GPA and MCAT qualifications),” said Robert Ruiz, Upstate’s associate dean of Admissions

Annually, the Norton College of Medicine receives more than 6,000 applicants for only 180 openings. The college interviews 515 students yearly, less than 9 percent of all applicants.

“Being invited to interview means a potential student has bounded over a significant hurdle to getting into medical school,” Ruiz said. “We are pleased to be able to offer this to women and men who have served our country and bring a unique perspective to healthcare.”

Ricky Ditzel Jr., chairman and co-founder of SOFtoSOM, underscored the importance of this new partnership. “In the Special Operations community, we live by the motto: Humans are more important than hardware,” said Ditzel, a U.S. Army Special Operations Flight Paramedic currently pursuing a career as a physician. “This collaboration will enrich the healthcare system by introducing highly skilled and resilient physician-leaders from our SOF veterans.”

“Upstate is proud to make this commitment to those who committed themselves so whole-heartedly to this nation’s defense,” said Lawrence Chin, MD, FAANS, FACS, dean of the Norton College of Medicine. “I look forward to seeing special forces veterans studying on our campus.”

SOF2SOM reports that 30 scholars have completed the program and are currently medical students, accepted medical students, or future applicants. With partnerships like the one between SOFtoSOM and the Norton College of Medicine, these veterans can continue serving their communities as physicians and healthcare leaders, ensuring their unique skills and experiences contribute to a healthier, stronger nation.