A Note from Dean Cavalieri

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, so I want to take this opportunity to thank every one of you for your hard work and to hope you and your families had a happy Thanksgiving. I consider myself privileged to be a member of our SOM family as we continue to grow. This month we were able to gather with each other and our new colleagues to celebrate our Rowan-Virtua partnership. We look forward to the holiday season approaching, which serves as a reminder to take stock of our blessings and express gratitude to those who have supported us.

Stay strong and be safe, 
 
Thomas A. Cavalieri, DO, MACOI, FACP
Dean
Rowan-Virtua Partnership Celebrated at Kickoff Event

On November 7, Rowan University and Virtua Health celebrated our landmark partnership at an event on the Stratford campus. Rowan President Ali A. Houshmand and Provost Anthony Lowman joined Virtua President and CEO Dennis W. Pullin to outline the transformation of both of our institutions, and to further our goals to become a national leader in health care, academics and biomedical research.

Announced earlier this year, the partnership will develop the Virtua Health College of Medicine & Life Sciences. Made possible by a philanthropic investment of $85 million from Virtua and $125 million from Rowan over the next 10 years, the college will combine the School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan’s School of Nursing and Health Professions and Virtua’s Our Lady of Lourdes Nursing School. It also will establish a new school of Translational Biomedical Engineering and Sciences.
AAPM&R Recognizes Dr. Richard Jermyn for Public Service

Richard Jermyn, DO, professor and chair of Rehabilitation Medicine and director of the NeuroMusculoskeletal Institute, recently received the 2022 Distinguished Public Service Award from the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R). The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities, or those in vulnerable and/or underrepresented populations.

The award was presented to Dr. Jermyn during AAPM&R’s 2022 Annual Assembly, which was held in Baltimore, MD October 20-23.
Rowan-Virtua SOM Represents at OMED in Boston

A new Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine exhibit booth was unveiled at the American Osteopathic Association’s Osteopathic Medical Conference and Exposition (OMED) held in Boston, MA October 27-30. Besides being first to see our new branding, visitors to the exhibit hall were treated to exciting giveaways (Rubiks cubes!) while chatting with faculty, staff and students about what's new at Rowan-Virtua SOM.

OMED also offers opportunities to earn continuing medical education credits, and several SOM faculty facilitated sessions, including Dr. Millicent King Channell, Dr. Stephen Scheinthal, Dr. Alexander King and Dr. Danielle Cooley. Other events included a student luncheon and an evening alumni reception, both held on October 29.
Student Doctor Papadopoulos Places First in Poster Competition

Congratulations to DO/PhD student, Eleni Papadopoulos, for winning first place in the AOA-OMED 2022 Student Poster Competition for her research, titled: ‘Examining levels of catecholamine neurotransmitter regulatory proteins within the prefrontal cortex of rodents following traumatic brain injury.’ The research, conducted under the guidance of Dr. Rachel Navarra at Rowan-Virtua SOM and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, aims to characterize the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive deficits that follow traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI resulting from impact to the head can cause long lasting impairments of cognitive control processes that lead to increased risk-taking behavior in clinical populations. Student Doctor Papadopoulos plans to conduct additional studies where she will use pharmacological agents to further probe how changes in these regulatory proteins impact risky behavior following head injury.
Alumni Gather at Annual Reunion

The SOM Alumni Association hosted its Alumni Reunion celebration on November 12 at the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick, NJ. The event honored the 40th anniversary reunion for SOM’s first and second classes – 1981 and 1982 – and recognized all of the graduating classes ending in 0, 1, 2, 5, 6 & 7. Alumni, students, deans, faculty and special guests gathered for a reception, dinner, SOM update and music and dancing. The event also included the presentation of the Alumni Association’s first Distinguished Alumni Humanitarian honor, posthumously awarded to the late David Johnson, DO, a member of the class of 1982, for his extraordinary contributions to address the care of the most vulnerable populations in underserved areas of the world. 
 
We are grateful to the many alumni that attended the Reunion celebration, some who traveled from great distances, to spend the evening with friends and colleagues.
Project Nest Case Competition Inspires Entreprenurial Spirit

Rowan-Virtua SOM InvestMed hosted the fourth annual Project Nest Case Competition on November 9. SOM medical students showcased their entrepreneurial skills by designing and presenting novel projects intended to fill unmet needs in medicine, health care access, innovation and wellness within the Rowan community. Winners received cash prizes and institutional support to implement their solutions to problems in our community.
 
A special thank you is extended to Rowan Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and the Rowan-Virtua SOM Alumni Association for sponsoring this annual event. Project Nest would not be possible without their support.
All Star Youth Sports Clinic Helps Local Youngsters Shine

Children were all smiles at the All Star Youth Sports Clinic on November 15. The All Star Youth Sports Clinic for Children with Special Needs is a monthly sports clinic led by second year SOM students Desiree Brower and Emily Forester, and is staffed by volunteer medical students. The sessions on Wednesday evenings allow children with special needs, who are between the ages of six and 15 years, the chance to play a sport in a supportive, non-competitive, and stress-free environment. The clinic is offered to families in the surrounding community free of charge, and still has openings. For more information about this program, please email rowanallstarssportsclinic@gmail.com.
Rowan-Virtua SOM Recognizes Veterans Day with Ceremony and Breakfast

On Friday, November 11, Rowan-Virtua SOM students and staff gathered to honor our student, staff and faculty veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. The event, which was coordinated by the Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (SAMOPS), began with brief remarks from Student Doctors Sunny Park and Austin Parry, followed by a presentation of the National Anthem and remarks from Dean Cavalieri. 
 
A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all of our SOM veterans for their years of selfless service.
Students Dance the Night Away at Medicine Ball

On Saturday, November 5, more than 625 students and guests shared a wonderful evening at The Merion in Cinnaminson for the 2022 Medicine Ball. Attendees enjoyed assorted appetizers, food stations, desserts, a DJ, and two photo booths complete with props. This annual event is coordinated and supported by Student Council (STUCO).

A special thank you to Student Doctor Valerie Rome, STUCO and the Med Ball Committee for their hard work coordinating this year’s event!
Doctor Dash 5K Supports RCHC

On Sunday, November 6, Rowan-Virtua SOM students and community members gathered for the Doctor Dash 5K. Over 60 runners participated in the 5K race at Haddon Lake Park, co-hosted by the Rowan Community Health Center (RCHC) and FitDocs. The clubs were able to raise over $850 to support RCHC, a student-run free health clinic in Voorhees. Congratulations to all of our runners for a great race!
Pizza, Paint and Picassos in the Making

Medical students on the Stratford and Sewell campuses channeled their inner artists for Pizza and Paint Night on October 26. Student Affairs and ROMA partnered for the event and Katie McGowan, OMS-III, led the instruction.
SOM Students Gather to Celebrate Thanksgiving

On November 10, medical students celebrated the second annual Friendsgiving event. The event, coordinated by Student Affairs and the Wellness Committee Social Chair Kathy Chen, had over 20 student clubs participate in the potluck-style celebration.
Your Wellness Reminder

Our lives are often busy with work, school and family obligations, among other things, that we sometimes forget to take a step back to take care of ourselves. That is why I have asked Joanna Petrides, MBS, PsyD from the Departments of Family Medicine and Psychology and chair of the Rowan-Virtua SOM Wellness Committee, to share a tip each month that can be helpful for improving wellbeing.
 
Thank you, Dr. Petrides for this first tip:
“When taking a break from work, make it a true break. Step away from your workstation, change your surroundings, avoid checking email or making work-related calls, and disengage from thinking about work during your break."
 
Be sure to check back next month for another wellness reminder.