A Note from Dean Cavalieri

I am looking forward to assuming the role of Senior Vice Provost of the Virtua Health College of Medicine & Life Sciences of Rowan University and Chief Academic Officer of Virtua Health. It has truly been an honor to serve as your Dean for the past 16 years and, in my new role as Senior Vice Provost, I will continue to be actively engaged in advancing the great mission of Rowan-Virtua SOM. This is an exciting time in the history of SOM and of Rowan University and I’m looking forward to working with our deans, faculty students and staff in my new capacity.
 
Many of you have asked already and so I want to let you know that I will continue to have an office here on the Stratford campus, providing oversight for the School of Osteopathic Medicine, the School of Nursing, and the new School of Translational Biomedical Engineering and Life Sciences.
 
I will be forever grateful for the commitment and contributions of our deans, faculty, students, staff and alumni that have helped SOM achieve so much. I know I can continue to rely on your support as, together, we work to advance the bold mission of the Virtua Health College to transform medical and health education, research, and patient care in southern New Jersey.


My best regards, 
 
Thomas A. Cavalieri, D.O., MACOI, FACP
Dean
Dr. Richard Jermyn Appointed to New Vice Dean Position

Richard Jermyn, DO has been appointed Vice Dean of Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine. As Vice Dean, Dr. Jermyn will provide leadership planning and implement measures to further enhance the school’s education mission.

During Dr. Jermyn’s tenure as Director of the NeuroMuscuolskeletal Institute (NMI) and Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation, the NMI has become a national leader in pain management and opioid use disorder education and training. Through his direction, Rowan-Virtua SOM is one of the first medical schools to offer a required course in pain management and, more recently, addiction. Dr. Jermyn was also instrumental in helping to deliver COVID-19 vaccinations to South Jersey’s most vulnerable communities during the height of the pandemic. A tenured professor, Dr. Jermyn is strongly committed to training outstanding physicians, and is committed to our school’s mission.

Dr. Jermyn will be leaving his department chair and NMI director positions as a result of assuming this new role. James Bailey, DO has been named Interim Chair and Director in his absence. 
Dr. Joshua Coren Promoted to Senior Associate Dean

Joshua Coren, DO has been promoted to Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs. Dr. Coren has served as Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs since September 2021, and is integral to our continued growth of Rowan Medicine on both our Stratford and Sewell campuses.

Dr. Coren is a tenured professor in the Department of Family Medicine, which he has also chaired since 2015. Under his leadership, the department has grown to become one of the largest of its kind in the both the osteopathic profession and the state. Upon assuming his expanded role as Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, Dr. Coren will be leaving his position as department chair. Alison Mancuso, DO has been named Interim Chair in his stead. 
Community Grand Rounds Features Guest Speaker
Dr. Judith Lightfoot

Department of Medicine Chair and Associate Professor, Judith Lightfoot, DO, was the featured guest lecturer for the January Community Grand Rounds program, “The Impact of COVID-19 on Communities of Color.” Dr. Lightfoot is also the Program Director for Internal Medicine and Chief of Infectious Disease.

Prior to joining Rowan-Virtua SOM, Dr. Lightfoot was a partner at what is now Jefferson Health Infectious Disease. She is a Master Fellow and Past President of the American College of Osteopathic Internists and has been a contributor for the Philadelphia Inquirer and Courier-Post newspapers, and has made a number of appearances on New Jersey TV regarding topics in infectious disease and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Community Grand Rounds lecture series is sponsored by the Rowan-Virtua SOM Student National Medical Association (SNMA), the Office of the Dean and the Office of Student Affairs and Alumni Engagement.
SOM's Got Talent!

Rowan Osteopathic Medicine & the Arts (ROMA) and the Music Medicine Club co-hosted the Rowan-Virtua SOM’s Got Talent event on January 18. Several SOM students showcased their talents in front of their peers. Performances included singing, dancing, and drawing, to name a few. A special ‘thank you’ is extended to our performers, as well as ROMA and the Music Medicine Club for hosting this fun and exciting event.
Alumni Association Gifts Ping Pong Table to Sewell Campus

The Alumni Association has generously donated a professional ping pong table to the Sewell campus. Students were grateful for the donation, and Council representatives from both campuses were the first to try out the new table before their monthly meeting on January 17.
Students Welcomed Back to Campus from Break

The Student Affairs team welcomed student doctors back to campus following the holiday break. Those who attended the ‘Welcome Back’ celebrations in Stratford and Sewell enjoyed coffee, breakfast bars, and a warm start to the semester.
Your Wellness Reminder

Joanna Petrides, MBS, Psy.D. from the Departments of Family Medicine and Psychology and chair of the Rowan-Virtua SOM Wellness Committee, shares this month’s tip for improving wellbeing.

When the cold weather hits, it can be hard to keep ourselves active while pushing off the desire to hibernate. To prevent yourself from losing momentum and stay active, try these tips:
  • Make and protect appointments for activities on your calendar, including social appointments.
  • Carve out time for physical activity right after you leave home or right before returning home to reduce the risk of not wanting to go out again once you are home.
  • Lean on an accountability partner, someone who can push you to be accountable to your own goals of keeping active and building and maintaining your routine.
 
Be sure to check back next month for another wellness reminder.