FAU’S Soon-To-Be Doctors ‘Match’
Amid Florida’s Physician Shortfall
|
|
|
With a 100 percent residency placement in post-graduate training programs, FAU’s Schmidt College of Medicine’s class of 2022 is helping to address a national need to bolster the physician workforce. Sixty-four students participated in “Match Day,” which occurs nationally on the third Friday of March every year where the results of the National Resident Matching Program (NMRP) are announced. Results of the Main Residency Match are closely watched because they can predict future changes in the physician workforce.
“I am so excited that we are all here together in person today for the first time since 2019 to celebrate one of our most special occasions,” said Julie Pilitsis, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., dean and vice president of medical affairs, FAU Schmidt College of Medicine. “As my first Match Day as dean, I couldn’t be more proud of your achievements and successes and the bright future ahead of you as you embark on a new journey. No matter where your matches take you, please remember that you will forever remain connected to our College of Medicine community. Congratulations, class of 2022.”
|
|
Meet Our Resident Matches For 2022-2023 |
|
'U.S. News & World Report' Ranks the Schmidt College of Medicine |
|
The Schmidt College of Medicine is pleased to announce national rankings in three categories of the 2023 U.S. News & World Report "Best Graduate Programs." Designed to bring the highest quality care to the surrounding community including underserved populations, the Schmidt College of Medicine has been ranked No. 61 for “Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas;” No. 85 for “Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas;” and No. 35 for "Most Diverse Medical Schools." |
|
FAU Researchers at Forefront of Alzheimer’s Genetics and Diagnosis |
|
Florida Atlantic University’s Randy D. Blakely, Ph.D., and Lisa Wiese, Ph.D., have received grants from the Florida Department of Health’s Ed and Ethel Moore Foundation for Alzheimer’s Disease Research, for programs focused on the mechanism of genes involved in neurodegeneration using novel genetic models, and to develop a culturally relevant model to diagnose and manage dementia in rural, underserved communities.
Florida has the second highest prevalence for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in the United States and is the sixth leading cause of death for Floridians 65 and older. Moreover, estimates project that more than 720,000 Floridians will be living with AD by 2025. About 527,000 family caregivers bear the burden of the disease in Florida.
Dr. Blakely, principal investigator, executive director, FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute and a professor of biomedical science in FAU’s Schmidt College of Medicine, received $349,819 for a project titled, “In Vivo Functional Analysis of MBLAC1: A Novel Genetic Risk Factor in Alzheimer’s Disease with Therapeutic Potential.”
|
|
FAU Names PHF Computational Brain Health Graduate Fellows |
|
A $1 million gift last fall from Palm Health Foundation (PHF) has launched the Florida Atlantic University Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute’s “Computational Brain Science and Health Graduate Fellowships.” The gift, awarded through PHF’s Brain Health Innovation Fund, supports new technologies, treatments, resources and educational tools to advance brain health in the community.
FAU has selected four Ph.D. students to receive the inaugural fellowships: Jasmine Chan; Joseph McKinley; and Yosun Yoon from the Schmidt College of Science; and Hadi Esfandi from the College of Engineering and Computer Science. They will be collaborating with FAU faculty on advanced research targeted at understanding the underpinnings and treatment of various brain disorders.
“With generous support from Palm Health Foundation, we are training talented young scientists who will contribute important knowledge and discoveries that will help to address some of our most pervasive and debilitating brain disorders,” said Randy D. Blakely, Ph.D., executive director, FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute and a professor in biomedical science, FAU Schmidt College of Medicine.
|
|
Did COVID-19 Make Tinnitus, ‘Ringing’ in the Ears, Worse? |
|
Many individuals impacted by COVID-19 experienced changes in their sense of smell, taste, hearing, balance and in some cases, tinnitus. Among the various causes of tinnitus is stress, including tension, anxiety and depression. What’s unclear, however, is whether the psychological impacts of the pandemic such as stress actually worsened tinnitus and its impacts.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University, the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust in the United Kingdom, and the University of Cambridge, conducted a study that focused on the potential indirect effects of COVID-19 on the experience of tinnitus. They assessed whether the severity of tinnitus, as measured using ratings of tinnitus loudness, annoyance, and effect on life, was influenced by the lockdown related to the pandemic. Although COVID-19 upended so many aspects of society, there is some good news – at least as it relates to tinnitus.
|
|
Congratulations Honored Doctors |
|
Congratulations to the 2022 Honor your Doctor awardees, who were recognized at the annual luncheon, hosted by the Rotary Club of Downtown Boca Raton. This year's honorees included the College of Medicine's affiliate faculty members. Proceeds from the event provide scholarship funds for deserving medical, nursing, and healthcare students who attend the Schmidt College of Medicine, Lynn College of Nursing, Lynn University, and Palm Beach State College.
2022 Schmidt College of Medicine Honorees
|
|
Dr. Debra Becker
Dr. Michael Cammarata
Dr. Brian Cauff
Dr. Sandra Cebular
Dr. Attica Chang
Dr. Frank Cirisano
Dr. Meyer Cohen
Dr. G. Richard Cohen
Dr. Joshua Cohen
Dr. Jonathan Courtney
Dr. Barry Davis
Dr. Eileen DeGrandis
Dr. Todd Eisner
Dr. Ehsan Esmaeili
|
|
Dr. Joseph Forstot
Dr. Renee Freedman
Dr. Hilary Gomolin
Dr. David Hevert
Dr. Mitchell Karl
Dr. Raymond Leveillee
Dr. Scott Levin
Dr. Leslie Levine
Dr. Gladys Martinez
Dr. Merna Matilsky
Dr. Barry Merrill
Dr. David Mishkel
Dr. Steven Morris
Dr. Nathan Nachlas
|
|
Dr. Philip Oranburg
Dr. Vito Proscia
Dr. William Rand
Dr. Sam Reddy
Dr. Harold Richter
Dr. Kenneth Rosenthal
Dr. Mark Rubenstein
Dr. John Rubin
Dr. Ronald Rubin
Dr. Andrew Savin
Dr. Jane Skelton
Dr. Leor Skoczylas
Dr. Geoffrey Zann
|
|
Gold Humanism Inductees Ceremony |
|
This month, the Schmidt College of Medicine welcomed the newest inductees to the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS). The event took place in the Anita and Norton Waltuch Lobby and featured Keynote Speaker, Lisa C. Martinez, M.D. F.A.C.P., assistant professor, Department of Medicine, and director for the Foundations of Medicine course. The GHHS comprises individuals who have been recognized for practicing patient-centered medical care by modeling the qualities of integrity, excellence, compassion, altruism, respect and empathy. The GHHS selects 3rd- and 4th-year medical students, residents, faculty, and administrators to be recognized for humanistic practice at various stages in their careers. |
|
3rd Year Medical Student Inductees
Sierra Biastre
Shimron Brown
Stephanie Byun
Sabina Fridman
Isaiah Herrera
Ria Jian
Zachary Kravetz
Emmanuel McNeely
Zaimary Meneses
Tanya Panwala
|
|
4th Year Medical Student Inductees
Amritpa Bahga
Sanjay Chandrasekhar
Andrew Fahmy
Christopher Galvin
Rohan Janwadkar
Shereen Jeyakumar
Sara Milrad
Oluwatofunmi Oshodi
Jacqueline Rice
Michael Simoes
|
|
Gold Humanism Honor Society
Resident Inductees
Kushinga Bvute, M.D.
Octavio Carranza, M.D.
Emily Komarcyk, M.D.
Arye Lavin, M.D.
Christian Maxwell, M.D.
Anh-Vu Nguyen, M.D.
|
|
Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Awards
Rinald Paloka
4th Year Medical Student Recipient
Alison Schwartz, M.D.
Faculty Member Recipient
|
|
Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society Banquet |
|
The FAU Owl Perch at the Schmidt Family Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence hosted this year’s annual Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society Banquet. The 13 members of the Class of 2022 were introduced by Michelle Schwartz, M.D., assistant professor, Department of Medicine and AOA counselor for the Schmidt College of Medicine chapter. The event included the traditional pinning ceremony and outdoor dinner celebrating the inductees. Congratulations to the new members! |
|
Pictured left to right: Christine Byun, Andrew Fahmy, Sara Twadell, Sanjay Chandrasekhar, Dr. Michelle Schwartz, Alec (Gerard) MacKinnon, Shereen Jeyakumar, Michael Kucharik, Briana Paiewonsky, Amritpal Bahga (Inductees not pictured: Bianca Biglione, Nikolas Echeverry, Katherine Johnson, John Merriam, and Giovanna Pires). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
