A Note from Dean Cavalieri

As we approach the fall months and the possibility of what some have called a "twindemic" of seasonal flu and COVID-19, be sure to continue your efforts to help keep everyone safe by social distancing, wearing masks, avoiding large crowds, and getting an annual flu vaccine. In this issue of eNews you can read about the efforts of our Environmental Services and Family Medicine departments to help keep our campus and our patients safe. 
 
Please join me also in welcoming Yvonne Ortiz, the new Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at SOM. I look forward to her leadership in helping us continue to build an inclusive environment that recognizes and respects people of all backgrounds and experiences.
 
Stay strong and be safe, 
 
Thomas A. Cavalieri, DO, MACOI, FACP
Dean
SOM Names New Director of Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

Yvonne Ortiz has joined SOM as the new Director of the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). As the Director of DEI at SOM, Yvonne will oversee a number of important initiatives, including leading the Diversity Committee, and developing and implementing culturally sustaining and anti-racist programming for students, faculty and staff. She will also assist in the creation of assessment tools to evaluate SOM's efforts in recruiting and retaining underrepresented students, faculty and staff. Additionally, she will be instrumental in measuring the impact of culturally sustaining programs and services recruitment and will help to evaluate anti-racist curriculum implementation and community engagement at both SOM and GSBS.
Thank You, Environmental Services Team!
 
Each year, the Environmental Services department and campus community take time during National Housekeepers/Environmental Services Week to acknowledge and celebrate the great work done by the Department's staff. The week's activities included fun-filled daily team building exercises while practicing social distancing. 
 
Under the direction of Executive Housekeeper Mark H. Muldrow, Environmental Services staff quietly work behind the scenes to help keep our campus and satellite offices clean for their fellow employees, and for students, staff, patients and residents. The Department is also responsible for preparing rooms for special events, transporting medical waste and for facilitating departmental moves. 
            
The Environmental Services staff worked every day during the pandemic, keeping our buildings and locations prepared for the new normal caused by COVID-19. Special preparations early in the pandemic included training on the proper use of both personal protective equipment and highly effective electrostatic sprayers that can disinfect both bacteria and viruses in the fastest and most cost-effective manner. The department's employees proudly responded to the challenges presented by the pandemic while they continued to keep the campus and satellite offices cleaned and sanitized for ongoing clinical services and for the return of staff and students. 
Awardees Announced for Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Endowment 2020 Grant Funding
 
Each year, Dean Cavalieri's Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Endowment for Primary Care Research provides research funding opportunities for medical students, residents and faculty. The Endowment's Faculty Intramural Funding Program provides up to $25,000 in seed money for clinical, basic science and translational research related to aging, chronic disease and osteopathic manipulative medicine.
 
A record number of applications were submitted to the Dean's Endowment this year, with the following projects awarded funding:
 
Nimish Acharya, PhD, Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Elucidating a Molecular Pathway Responsible for the Degeneration of Cholinergic Neurons Using a Modified TBI Model
 
Danielle Cooley, DO, Departments of Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Comparing the Relapse Rate Between MAT-only Treatment and MAT with OMT Regimen in Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain
 
Martin Forsberg, MD, Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Detection of Blood-Based Biomarkers for Huntington's Disease
 
Rachel Navarra, PhD, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Evaluation of a Novel Therapeutic for Treating Effects of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury on Risk Based Decision Making
 
Donald Noll, DO, Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Can the Osteopathic Pedal Pump Reduce Lymphedema in the Lower Extremities in the Elderly? A Mentorship Project
 
Congratulations to this year's awardees! We wish them the best of luck with their research projects.

If you are interested in learning about the Endowment's Faculty Intramural Funding Program or the other funding opportunities provided by the Endowment, please contact Matt McLaughlin at mclaugmh@rowan.edu or 856-566-6330.
Family Medicine Provides 'Drive-Thru' Flu Vaccination Option for Patients
 
The Department of Family Medicine provided current patients with a safe and accessible method to receive their annual flu vaccine during drive-thru flu clinics held on September 12 and 26. The clinics were held at each of the department's four office locations, where they administered flu shots to more than 300 patients. 
 
Stay tuned for more information regarding upcoming flu vaccination opportunities for employees. All employees are encouraged to get their flu vaccination, as it not only reduces your odds of getting sick, but it also may mean that you'll see less severe effects if you do.
Psychiatry Resident Dr. Danielle Weitzer to Receive AOF/ACONP Award
 
Congratulations to Department of Psychiatry Resident Dr. Danielle Weitzer, who recently learned she was selected by the American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) and the American College of Osteopathic Neurologists and Psychiatrists (ACONP) to receive the 2020 Outstanding Resident of the Year in Neurology and Psychiatry award. 
 
In addition to a commitment to osteopathic patient-centered care, the Outstanding Resident of the Year in Neurology and Psychiatry is recognized for their exemplary work, demonstrated leadership and steadfast clinical performance. The award is given annually to honor and co-recognize outstanding residents and acknowledge professional excellence.
 
The AOF will celebrate Dr. Weitzer's achievement at the 2020 AOF Honors (Virtual) Gala on October 16.



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