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January 2018 Updates

Read the Dean's eNews for updates and announcements.

A Note from Dean Cavalieri

 
It's a little hard to believe that we are already saying goodbye to the first month of 2018. Even though January seemed to rush by, it was highlighted by several significant announcements, including the first Rowan-Virtua SOM student to be selected as the National Student DO of the Year, new honors for two of our faculty and the selection of a new Vice Chair for our Department of Medicine. The next few months will bring more exciting news as we celebrate Osteopathic Match Day on Feb. 5, followed by the MD Match Day in the middle of March and - in about 100 days - our 2018 Commencement Ceremony. 
 
My best,
 
Thomas A. Cavalieri, DO, MACOI, FACP
Dean

Ashley Sam '18 Named 'National Student DO of the Year'

 
It is with great pride that we announce that Ashley E. Sam, a fourth-year medical student at SOM, is named the 2018 National Student DO of the Year (SDOY) by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents (COSGP). The National SDOY award is presented each year to one osteopathic medical student who demonstrates superior leadership capabilities, robust research experience, and a strong commitment to community service.
 
Student Doctor Sam served as SOM's Student Council President, most notably advocating for student wellbeing through her efforts on the Mental Health Awareness Project. She has elevated osteopathic student voices as a delegate to the New Jersey Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, and discussed the practice and future of osteopathic medicine at the American Association House of Delegates. She currently serves as the National 1st Vice Chair of AACOM's COSGP. In addition to her contributions to osteopathic medicine, Student Doctor Sam also serves as a 2ndLieutenant in the United States Air Force.
 
Besides being a phenomenal student, Ashley's dedication to serve her fellow students, her community, her profession and her country reflect the values of SOM and set an example that medical students everywhere can follow. Please join us in congratulating Student Doctor Sam on her well-deserved selection for this prestigious honor!
 

Dr. Allen Masry Named a 'Distinguished Fellow' by APA

 
Congratulations to Dr. Allen Masry, who was recently named a Distinguished Fellow by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). According to the APA, "Distinguished Fellowship is awarded to outstanding psychiatrists who have made significant contributions to the psychiatric profession in at least five of the following area: administration, teaching, scientific and scholarly publications, volunteering in mental health and medical activities of social significance, community involvement, as well as for clinical excellence." Dr. Masry will be formally recognized at the APA's annual meeting in New York City, May 5-8. 
 

Updates from the Department of Medicine

 
Congratulations and welcome to Dr. Judith Lightfoot who has been appointed the new Vice Chair for the Department of Medicine. Dr. Lightfoot, formerly a clinical associate professor at SOM, will also be the Department's Chief of Infectious Disease and the Program Director for Internal Medicine. Among her many career highlights, Dr. Lightfoot is the Past President of both the American College of Osteopathic Internists and the American College of Osteopathic Medicine.
 
Congratulations are also extended to Dr. Magdala Chery on her recent selection as a 2018 Fellow of the New Jersey chapter of the New Leaders Council (NLC). The mission of the NLC is to train and support "those who are leading industries, setting trends, and building institutions that support robust civic and political life in a global America."    

'Speed Networking' Event Connects Alumni, Students

 
First-, second-, and third-year students were connected with SOM alumni physicians at a specialty speed networking event on January 22. Twenty-three alumni physicians representing 14 medical specialties were present at the event. Student participants met with the alumni to learn more about their daily schedules, as well as the challenges that their particular specialty may present. 
 

American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) Holds Annual Cultural Show

 

Students, faculty and staff donned traditional Indian attire while enjoying a night of music and Bollywood performances at the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) Annual Cultural Show on January 27. The evening's highlights included performances from several SOM faculty, including Drs. Deborah Podolin, Knic Rabara, Jennifer Fischer and Adarsh Gupta, as well as student singing and dancing. Guests also enjoyed a buffet dinner featuring traditional Indian dishes. 
 

 

New Library Exhibits


In honor of Black History Month, several new displays are available in the Library and the first floor of the Academic Center. "Opening Doors: Contemporary African American Surgeons" is on loan to the Health Sciences Library from the National Library of Medicine through February 15. Other exhibits highlight the achievements of several of SOM's distinguished African American alumni and detail the life of Dr. James Still, a son of slaves and self-taught physician who treated his patients with homeopathic remedies.

Emergency Blue Phones Installed on SOM Campus


To increase safety across campus, 21 emergency blue phones are now in place in various outdoor locations on the SOM campus. Emergency blue phones are simple to use. If there is an emergency, an individual can simply press a button on the phone to be directly connected to emergency services, and a response will be dispatched.
 


Upcoming Events

 

Osteopathic Match Day Luncheon for the Class of 2018

Monday, February 5
12 pm
Academic Center, Multipurpose Room
 

Community Grand Rounds

Featured speaker: Dr. Anthony DiFabio, President and CEO for Robin's Nest
Tuesday, February 6
12 pm
Academic Center, Multipurpose Room
 

Spring Inter-Professional Grand Rounds

"Breast Cancer: An Inter-Professional Approach to Treatment"
Wednesday, February 21
12 pm
Academic Center, Multipurpose Room
Lunch will be served; guests are invited to wear pink to this event!  
 

SNMA Annual Black History Month Dinner

Thursday, February 22
6 pm
Academic Center, Multipurpose Room
 

Rowan Gives Day

Thursday, March 1
 

SOM Medicine Ball

Saturday, March 3
Crowne Plaza, Cherry Hill, NJ
7 pm
 

Annual Scholarship Luncheon

Sunday, March 11
12 pm
Lucien's Manor, Berlin, NJ
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