Class of 2016 Celebrates Match Day

At noon Eastern time on Friday, March 18, members of the Class of 2016 ripped open their envelopes to reveal the teaching hospitals and medical centers where they will have their first jobs as physicians in training. Eighty-five SOM students received their matches through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) that afternoon, joining 75 of their peers who matched through the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) match program held in February and four students who secured placement through the Military Match.
 
The SOM students who participated in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) competed with 35,476 applicants from medical schools across the country for one of 27,860 residency positions. Nearly half the SOM graduating physicians will specialize in primary care, and more than 40 percent of the non-military students will stay in New Jersey. Statistics show that physicians are much more likely to practice in the state where they complete their residency. Read more.
SOM Named to "America's Best" for Geriatric Medical Education

The annual  US News & World Report rankings of America's top medical schools again includes SOM as one of the nation's premier institutions in geriatric medical education. SOM tied with the University of Pennsylvania for 12 th place on the list that was released on March 16. This marks the 15 th time that SOM is included in the publication's annual rankings of America's medical schools. The selections are based solely on surveys of medical school deans and senior faculty.
 
In its 25-plus year history, the New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging (NJISA) at RowanSOM has garnered national recognition, significant extramural support, and a strong philanthropic base.  With the creation of the new academic Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, RowanSOM becomes the 13th medical school in the nation, and the first in New Jersey, to have a dedicated department focusing on the impact of America's rapidly aging population.  Read more.


Researchers Honored for Excellence in Innovation

Rowan University's Division of University Research honored more than two dozen faculty members and students during its first Excellence in Innovation Awards Ceremony on March 21. Several members from SOM were among the faculty, staff and students recognized for outstanding research, innovation and collaboration locally and worldwide. Congratulations are extended to all who were honored.
 
Distinguished Service Award
Hao Wu, PhD student, Cell & Molecular Biology
 
Excellence in Innovation Award
Dr. Bernd Spur, professor, Cell Biology and Dr. Gary Goldberg, professor, Molecular Biology
 
Humanitarian Innovator Award
Dr. Esther Deblinger, professor, Psychiatry and co-director, Child Abuse Research Education & Service (CARES) Institute
 
Global Innovator Award
Dr. Robert Nagele, professor, Geriatrics and Gerontology, New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging (NJISA)
 
Industry Alliance Award
Dr. Paola Leone, professor, Cell Biology


Dr. Anita Chopra Receives Prestigious Award 

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Anita Chopra, professor, Geriatrics and Gerontology, and director, New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging (NJISA) has been selected as one of this year's recipients of the Edward J. Ill Excellence in Medicine Awards.  The Excellence in Medicine Awards are named after Edward J. Ill, MD, a New Jersey physician who was a pioneer in promoting continuing education in ways that set the national standard. The awards pay tribute to New Jersey's physicians, health care professionals and community leaders who exemplify outstanding competence, leadership and dedication to their profession. Dr. Anita Chopra is being honored with the Peter W. Rodino, Jr. Citizen's Award®.  The Peter W. Rodino, Jr., Citizen's Award® is presented to a citizen or group of citizens of New Jersey who merits recognition for distinguished service in advancing and promoting the health and well-being of the people of our state.  Dr. Chopra is being recognized for her leadership in medical education, her advocacy for older adults, and her innovation in research in the field, all of which promote the health and well-being of senior citizens in New Jersey.


SOM SNMA Chapter Receives Awards at Annual Conference

The SOM chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) recently returned from the national organization's Annual Medical Conference in Austin, TX with several acknowledgements. For a second consecutive year, the group was named the Region IX SNMA Chapter of the Year, out of the 20 chapters located across New York and New Jersey. In addition, several students received appointments to various committees within SNMA:
 
Ashley Snelling '18: National Osteopathic Schools Committee Vice Chair
Sade Randall '16: Region IX Treasurer
Sakeina Howard-Wilson '16: Region IX Associate Regional Director of Community Service
Sharde Chambers '17: Region IX Associate Regional Director of MAPS
Kimberley Agbo '18: Region X Parliamentarian


SOM Represents, Receives Awards at AAO Convocation

SOM had a strong representation at the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) Convocation, "Somatic Dysfunction and Emotional Well-being: An Osteopathic Approach to Mental Health," held March 16 to 20 in Orlando, FL. Dr. Millicent King Channell, associate professor, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) and assistant dean for curriculum, was the 2016 Convocation program chair.
 
Several students received honors from the Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO) while in Orlando. Michael Florek '17 won first place in the A. Hollis Wolf Case Presentation competition, competing against over a dozen other students from schools across the country. Bernadette Bibber '17 was also a first-place winner, edging out the competition in the student poster case presentations. Additionally, the SOM SAAO chapter received the AAO Presidential Accolade for meeting the SAAO Executive Board and Board of Governors requirements, as well as earning 25 percent of VIP points for the current academic year.

Record Number of Students Receive Scholarships








Our Annual Scholarship Luncheon on Sunday, March 13, hosted the largest crowd of scholarship recipients in SOM history. More than 160 student doctors, their families, alumni, donors and friends attended the event, which provided the opportunity for scholarship recipients to meet and thank the donors who helped fund their medical education. Last academic year, SOM awarded over $150,000 in scholarships to 50 students; this academic year, we awarded over $258,500 in scholarships to 76 students. This increase is a testament to the generosity of our amazing donors. Thank you to all who helped to make this a record-setting year!

Cultures and Traditions Celebrated at Diversity Week

The SOM Student Council hosted SOM's first-ever Diversity Week March 14 to 18. The week kicked off with a celebration on the SOM campus, which included club displays, music and dance performances that highlighted SOM's diverse culture. Other activities included a panel discussion regarding culture and diversity on campus, a keynote address about race and culture-based trauma's effects on mental health, as well as a conflict resolution workshop. Students also had the chance to participate in a fun and exciting workout that involved various fitness stations such as Yoga, Jiu-Jitsu and Bollywood dance, as well as taste a sampling of dishes and delicacies prepared by their classmates.
Annual Medicine Ball Offers Dancing and Fun

Students slipped out of their white coats and into cocktail and semi-formal attire for the annual Medicine Ball held on Saturday, March 5. The event, sponsored by the SOM Student Council, featured a reception, dinner and dancing at Auletto's Caterers in Almonesson, NJ. Guests included students, faculty and staff.


Faculty Applause

Congratulations to the following faculty members who were recently recognized for achievements in their respective fields:
 
Dr. Alan J. Shienbaum, associate professor, Medicine, and vice chair, Department of Pathology, was recently appointed to the American Osteopathic College of Pathologists (AOCP) Board of Governors.
 
Dr. Stephen Scheinthal, professor and chair, Psychiatry, was selected to be a part of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Dementia/Alzheimer's Disease Advisory Panel.  The panel will assist the AOA with the development and implementation of a program focused on Alzheimer's Disease and encouraging early physician-patient conversions.

An award from the American Sociological Association has been named for
Dr. Donald W. Light, professor, Psychiatry. "The Donald W. Light Award for Applied Medical Sociology" is a new annual award that will recognize past and present members of the Association who, through their professional work or advocacy, are contributing or have contributed to important challenges in health, health care or health care policy of national or global significance. 


Upcoming Events  

American Red Cross Blood Drive
Sponsored by the SOM Chapter of the American Medical Association
Tuesday, April 12
9 am to 2 pm
Academic Center, Multipurpose Room
 
20th Annual Stratford Campus Research Day
Wednesday, May 5 and Thursday, May 6
10 am to 3 pm
Academic Center, Multipurpose Room
 
RowanSOM Commencement
Friday, May 13
2 pm
University Green, Glassboro Campus