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December 2022
To all students, faculty, residents, and staff:

The holiday season is a time for reflections and gratitude. As we move through the last month of 2022, I have so much to be grateful for. Thank you for welcoming me as your Dean. It is an honor to be appointed to lead the Florida Atlantic University, Schmidt College of Medicine, where each of you contributes to improving the lives and health of our community. I am delighted to work alongside you all to expand the FAU Schmidt College of Medicine’s reach and impact on our community.

I would like to express my appreciation to our faculty, residents, and staff. Thank you for your warm welcome and the tremendous support you have extended during my transition – all indicative of how welcoming the FAU community can be. I cannot possibly express enough gratitude for your continued efforts to make this year a success. I feel extremely proud and fortunate to be a part of the innovation, collaboration, and resilience I saw during this year. Your passion and commitment to excellence are extraordinary and together we will continue to make FAU Schmidt College of Medicine an epic success.

To our students, your enthusiasm and diligence continue to inspire me every day. I wish you and your loved ones good health and great happiness in the New Year.

Please enjoy your well-deserved break over the holidays and enjoy the excitement of the season but also find time to rest and recharge.

Thank you and please accept my best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season. I look forward to the New Year and the exciting opportunities and accomplishments that await us.  

Julie Pilitsis, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A.
Dean, Schmidt College of Medicine
The Medical Student Band, The Cytokines performed at the Light Up the Night Holiday event on Dec. 9th. Thanks to all the talented performers for showing off their skills!
HEALTH FIRST
Gingerbread House Decorating. Students decorated gingerbread houses as an “end of the semester” stress-relieving activity.
HealthFirst Brighten your Day Wellness Cafe. A healthy lunch for M1 students who finished their first exam of the week and were preparing to study for 3 others. We wanted them to have a very healthy lunch earlier in the week!  
Massage Day. Students, faculty and staff signed up for 15-minute chair massages from the graduating students of Palm Beach State Massage Department.
M.D. STUDENTS SPOTLIGHT
Congratulations to Sarvika Bommakanti and Zachary Kravetz for being elected to a leadership position in the AAP Section on Pediatric Trainees (SOPT).

This opportunity provides a wealth of great rewards for the trainee that include networking with AAP leadership, participating in SOPT executive committee meetings, and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of medical students, other trainees, and children.
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Lifestyle Medicine Certification
Congratulations to Dr. Joanna Drowos for passing the Lifestyle Medicine Certification Exam! We wish you the very best for the future and may you remain an active champion of the lifestyle medicine cause.
DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH
FAU Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors® (NAI)
Andrew Oleinikov, Ph.D. is one of the Florida Atlantic University  researchers that have been selected for induction into the FAU Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors® (NAI). The FAU chapter was established to recognize inventors from each of FAU’s 10 colleges. Inductees are selected for their accomplishments in research and commercialization and for enhancing the visibility of scientific innovation at FAU.  Read More
Ultrasound Device for Pain Gets NIH Funding
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine, in collaboration with Albany Medical College (AMC) in New York, are among seven institutions nationwide selected to receive funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for their innovative pilot projects to enable new medical devices to diagnose and treat both acute and chronic disorders from neuropathic pain to mental illness. Read More
Professor Charles H. Hennekens was elected to Sigma Xi the Research Honor Society that includes Watson, Crick and Einstein as members in recognition of his scholarly achievements and contributions.
MARCUS INSTITUTE
OF INTEGRATIVE HEALTH AT FAU MEDICINE
Jan. 11 - Feb. 15, 2023
Wellness Series: For Mind, Body and Spirit
This six-week online series is a collaboration between Marcus Institute of Integrative Health at FAU Medicine, the Robin Rubin Center for Happiness and Life Enhancement, and the FAU Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work to bring leading experts and evidence-based content to support the health and wellness of our community.
January 10 - March 26,
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Join us for this free 12 week series, lead by Nick Kusturic, Lic. Ap, Certified Tai-Chi & Qi-Gong Instructor. Tai chi is a series of gentle physical exercises and stretches. Tai chi is sometimes described as meditation in motion because it promotes serenity through gentle movements — connecting the mind and body.
hosted by the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health at FAU Medicine.
Schmidt College of Medicine
Florida Atlantic University