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Areas of Distinction Program

The Areas of Distinction (AOD) program offers ambitious medical students the opportunity to pursue focused curricular interest beyond the core curriculum. These elective pathways allow students to deepen their knowledge, gain mentorship, and demonstrate commitment to specific fields of medicine - all of which are recognized in the Medical Student Performance Evaluation.

What are AODs?

two SOM medical students listen as two physicians explain something while standing in a clinic during a community service eventAODs are structured, optional programs that allow students to explore a specialized area of medicine through:

  • Community service
  • Scholarly work
  • Didactic learning (in-person or online)

Key features:

  • They do not appear on the academic transcript.
  • They are included in the MSPE (Dean's Letter).
  • They require students to maintain documentation and meet advisor-approved requirements.

Why complete an AOD?

Students who complete an AOD gain:

  • Enhanced education and competence in a chosen discipline.
  • Expanded mentoring from faculty experts.
  • A strong demonstration of commitment for residency applications.

Current Areas of Distinction


Addiction Medicine
Advisor: Dr. James Bailey
bailey@rowan.edu 		 Interprofessional Education
Advisor: Dr. Margarita David
davidm7@rowan.edu 
Cultural Competency
Advisor: Dr. Maria Ramundo
ramund41@rowan.edu 		 Medical Spanish Competency
Advisor: Dr. Rebecca Moore
moorer@rowan.edu 
Developmental Medicine
Advisors: Drs. Wendy Aita, Andrea Iannuzzelli
aitawf@rowan.edu, iannuzzelli@rowan.edu		 Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM)
Advisor: Dr. Alexander King
kingale@rowan.edu 
Geriatrics
Advisors: Dr. Christian White
whitecp@rowan.edu  		 Pediatrics
Advisor: Dr. Clare Stephens
lipperinc1@rowan.edu 
Healing Arts
Advisor: Morgan Yacoe
yacoe@rowan.edu 		 Psychiatry
Advisor: Dr. Martin Forsberg
forsbemm@rowan.edu 
Humanism in Medicine
Advisor: Dr. Rebecca Moore
moorer@rowan.edu 		 Women's Health
Advisor: Dr. Peter Schnatz
schnatz@rowan.edu

 


Requirements for Completing an AOD

Each AOD has its own secific requirements (listed on Canvas), but all include the following components:

  • All hours must be logged through the TOUCH national site.
  • Students must create a profile and submit hours at: https://www.trackitforward.com/group/aacom-touch-site 
  • Hours completed for an AOD may count toward TOUCH, but cannot be double‑counted for another AOD unless total hours exceed both requirements.
    As clarified: “Excess number of hours may be counted towards the second AOD.”
  • Topics and structure must be pre‑approved by the AOD advisor at least 6 months before the end of 3rd year.
  • Advisors may set additional timelines.
  • Final approval of the scholarly project rests with the advisor.

Students must maintain proof of completion, including:

  • Online certificates
  • Attendance logs with signatures
  • Advisor pre‑approval for any didactics not explicitly listed
  • Any additional documentation required by the advisor