A monthly update from Thomas A. Cavalieri, DO, FACOI, FACP, AGSF, Dean
Volume 8, Number 2 February 2013
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
Many things have been happening on the Stratford Campus this past month, not the least of which was the announcement of our new
name come July 1st. Read below to see what has kept our students, faculty and staff busy in February.
SOM NAME ADOPTED BY ROWAN UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
I am pleased to announce that, on February 13th, Rowan
University's Board of Trustees adopted a new name for the
School of Osteopathic Medicine—Rowan University School of
Osteopathic Medicine.
The Communication Integration Team explored several naming
and identity system options for the school for when its transfer is
effective, July 1st.
The decision to call the school Rowan University School of
Osteopathic Medicine, or RowanSOM informally and in
secondary references, firmly incorporates SOM into Rowan and
takes advantage of Rowan's regional and growing national
reputation.
"Such a transition as moving one school to another is hardly
ever seamless but the adoption of the new name gives everyone
on both campuses a sense of belonging," Rowan President
Ali Houshmand said.
The new name reflects a bonding of the schools, both wellestablished and complementary of one another. The name
captures both SOM’s rich history and its exciting future as part of
Rowan University.
At the same meeting, the Rowan board formally approved the
University’s master plan and voted to expand the existing
Academic Center at RowanSOM as part of its submission under
the state’s ‘Building our Future’ bond act.
Graphical standards, developed through cooperation of staff at
Rowan and SOM, will be used in signage, websites, business
cards, stationery, and much more. A distinct lab coat patch is
still in development.
For more information, visit the Rowan website at
http://www.rowan.edu/today/news/index/PR/3316.
OSTEOPATHIC MATCH DAY
More than half of the Class of 2013 gathered on Monday,
February 11th to celebrate their success in the National
Osteopathic Match. A special luncheon program was provided.
Students were congratulated by me and Dr. Kathryn Lambert,
associate professor, Family Medicine and acting assistant dean,
Student Affairs. Several faculty and staff were also in attendance
to mark this joyous occasion. Thirty-one of the matched 1.
students will continue their education in New Jersey, 23
of whom were matched into programs in Internal
Medicine, Orthopedics, Emergency Medicine, Internal
Medicine/Emergency Medicine and ENT in the combined
Kennedy-Lourdes-SOM program.
A match celebration for all members of the Class of 2013 will
be held on Friday, March 15th, when results from the National
Resident Matching Program (NRMP) for allopathic GME
programs are announced.
2.
1. Cassandra Dorvil ’13 and Sergio Pulido ’13 share a hug
and congratulate each other on matching to osteopathic
programs. 2. L-r: Purvaja Naik ’13, Dewan Fahima ’13 and
Keyonna Proctor ’13 are all smiles at the Osteopathic Match
Day celebration.
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COMMUNITY GRAND ROUNDS PROGRAM
On February 19th, a record number of students attended the
Community Grand Rounds program, “Introduction to the Medical
Examiner – with an Emphasis on Violence Prevention as a
Medical Issue” by guest speaker Dr. Roger A. Mitchell, Jr.
Dr. Mitchell is a UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School graduate
and currently serves as the medical examiner for the northern
and southern territories of New Jersey. He previously held
positions with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the
Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences in Texas.
Additional Community Grand Rounds programs are scheduled
for April 2nd and April 15th.
FAMILY MEDICINE PRESENTS ‘TAR WARS’
TO LOCAL STUDENTS
Each day, more than 3,500 children in the USA try their first cigarette; another 1,000 will
become new regular, daily smokers. To help prevent children from becoming part of that
statistic, Dr. Richard Weiss, assistant professor, Family Medicine, along with three SOM
students and a Family Medicine resident, recently visited the Yellin School in Stratford to
present ‘Tar Wars’ to students. ‘Tar Wars’ is an interactive school-based tobacco-free
education program for 4th and 5th graders sponsored by the American Academy of Family
Physicians. The program encourages children to think and talk about the effects and costs
of tobacco use, as well as how the tobacco industry’s marketing efforts directly reach and
influence them.
RELAY FOR LIFE RAISES $9,400 IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER
Friday, January 25th through Saturday,
January 26th, the SOM and the Graduate
School (GSBS) Colleges against Cancer
teamed up with the American Cancer Society
(ACS) to hold the Second Annual Relay for Life
in Stratford. Relay is a 12-hour overnight event
that raises money for cancer research and
patient support, and provides an opportunity
to remember cancer survivors, those battling
the disease and those who lost the fight.
More than 150 students, faculty, staff, family
and friends formed teams to take turns
walking the indoor track and participating in
activities such as carnival games, relay races
and salsa dancing. Chad Juros, a magician
and two-time cancer survivor, and the band
Eleven Dollar Bills entertained participants.
The night raised $9,400, which will go to local
chapters of the ACS to support cancer
research, educational awareness, patient
advocacy and survivor services.
2.
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1. L-r: Sujana Bhattacharyya ‘16, Sidra Hafeez ’16, Adrienne Schlatter ‘16, Ashley Odukoya ‘16, Mariam Keita ‘16, and Mark Daily ’16 (behind)
2. Class of 2016 Team winners of frozen T-shirt contest, l-r: Adam Barnathan ‘16, Samantha Bartling ‘16, Steve Bialick ‘16, Laura McGarry ‘16,
Lauren Rosenblum’ 16, and Lindsey Glaspey ’16
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RELAY FOR LIFE RAISES $9,400 IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER, continued
3.
4.
3. Relay for Life Committee: front row from l-r: Ashley Martz ‘16; ACS rep Megan Gray; Benjamin Winter ‘16 and Jamie Moy ‘16 Back row from
l-r: Patrick Eigbe ‘16, Nanye Okafor, GSBS; Sam Houng ‘16, Iris Tian ‘16, Janki Kapadia ‘16, Andrew Vasta ‘15, Melissa Tullock ‘15, Shelly Uppal,
GSBS; Vincent Marchese, GSBS; and Alex Fishman ‘15 4. L-r: Kiran Mian ‘14, Priya Patel ‘15, Peter Bishara ‘15, Matt Meleka ‘15, Joseph Asaro
‘14, Shelly Uppal, GSBS; Carly Fabrizio ‘14
IMPROV FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS
Twenty medical students recently participated in the first-ever
Improv for Medical Students event held at SOM, sponsored by
SOM’s Medical Humanities and Ethics Society. The class was
designed to get medical students to think on their feet. The
improv exercises focused on listening, understanding, and
working with peers, and helped to refine overall communication,
public speaking, and flexibility in high-pressured situations. The
students who participated found the class to be a beneficial
supplement to their education, since many know that expecting
the unexpected and dealing with unpredictable circumstances
occur regularly in the medical field.
The Improv for Medical Students event was hosted by SOM’s Medical
Humanities and Ethics Society. First and fourth year students worked
together to tell a story with their hands.
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HELP “SAVE A CHILD’S HEART” EVENT RAISES $2,600 FOR CHARITY
Comedy, music, prizes and delicious food were on the bill for
the annual “Save a Child’s Heart” music and comedy night on
February 13th. The charity event raised money for the Israeli-based
humanitarian organization that provides free, live-saving heart
surgery to children from developing nations. The event was
sponsored by the Jewish Osteopathic Medical Association (JOMA)
in conjunction with International Federation of Medical Students'
Associations (IFMSA), Student Osteopathic Internal Medical
Association (SOIMA), Student Osteopathic Medical Association
(SOMA), American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA), Student
Pediatric Medical Association (SPMA), National Osteopathic
Women's Physician Association (NOWPA), American College of
Family Physicians (ACOFP), Medical Students for Choice (MSFC),
and the Cardiology Club.
The night featured the stand-up routines of two of Philadelphia’s
top comedians, Vince Valentine and Alex Grubard, as well as
performances by our own talented students. The event also
featured dinner and a flower sale.
Family Feud hosted by Harrison Cotler ’15, far right
and pit professors, l-r: Dr. Lambert, Dr Podolin,
assistant professor, Cell Biology; Dr Hock,
associate professor, Cell Biology, GSBS and
associate dean for Research and GSBS; and
Dr. Griesback associate professor, Medicine, acting
assistant dean for Education; played against Kanad
Mukherjee ’15, and (not shown Steve Bialick ’16,
Jack Annunziato ’15, Shilpa Samudrala ’16, and
Mike DeFrance ’16).
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICIANS OF INDIAN ORIGIN (AAPI)
THIRD ANNUAL CULTURAL EVENT & DINNER PROGRAM
The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) hosted the Third
Annual Cultural Event & Dinner Program on January 31st. The event, which
attracted over 200 people, raised $1,000 for Operation Smile, a medical charity
that provides cleft lip and palate repair surgeries for children worldwide. The
evening was filled with music and performances by talented students and faculty,
as well as a dinner that featured traditional Indian dishes, and a raffle of fun prizes.
The Class of 2015 delivered a noteworthy
performance that showcased the dance styles from
three different regions of India. Pictured are
members of the Full Nelsons Dance Group along
with members that participated in the Fashion
Show. L-r: Dipa Avichal ’15, Cynthia Lamour ’15,
Priscilla Miguez ’15, Nelson Lee ’15, Jamie Moy ’15,
Kiran Mian ’14, Vishal Phakey ’15, Marisa Moreta
’15, Priya B. Patel ’15, Joseph Youseff ’15, and
Shelly Uppal, GSBS.
The Class of 2016 gave a wonderful performance that included
five different songs and dance styles. Amazingly, this group
was able to put everything together in just three days.
Adam Barnathan ’16, Sujana Bhattacharyya ’16, Sagar Chokshi
’16, Alyssa Cocchiara ’16, Andrea DeSimone ’16, Deepti
Harshavardhana ’16, Deepa Kenia ’16, Nishi Pandey ’16, Jinisha
Patel ’16, Adrienne Schlatter ’16, Amit Shah ’16, Dhara Shah
’16, Sameer Sood ’16, and Sandhya Venkataraman ’16
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The night ended with a surprise
flash mob style Indian dance by
SOM’s very own faculty and staff.
Pictured are the members of the
faculty/staff Dance Crew along
with their coaches. L-r: Priya B.
Patel ‘15, Dean Micciche, director
for Alumni and Student Affairs;
Sterling Crawford, program
assistant, Academic Affairs;
Dr. Russell Griesback, Dr. Deborah
Podolin, Dr. Gregory Sayegh,
fellow, Department of Osteopathic
Manipulative Medicine, (OMM),
NeuroMusculoskeletal Institute
(NMI); Dr. Kathryn Lambert
Dr. Sajid Surve, assistant
professor, Rehabilitation Medicine
and OMM, NMI; Shelly Uppal,
GSBS; Marisol Flores-Young, staff
assistant, Admissions (Not
pictured: Erin Michel, program
assistant)
FREE SCREENINGS OFFERED
IN RECOGNITION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH
In recognition of Black History Month, members of the Student National
Medical Association (SNMA) offered free blood pressure screenings to the
Stratford campus and local community.
Dr. Marita Lind, assistant professor, Pediatrics, CARES Institute has her blood
pressure checked by Cynthia Lamour ’15.
UPCOMING EVENTS
BLACK HISTORY MONTH DINNER CELEBRATION –
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2013
6:30 pm
Academic Center, Multi-Purpose Room
ANNUAL STUDENT MEDICINE BALL –
SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2013
7 pm
The Mansion on Main Street, Voorhees, NJ
DEAN’S FORUM –
TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013
10 am
Academic Center, Top Docs’ Café
SOM MATCH CELEBRATION - 2013 NATIONAL
RESIDENT MATCHING PROGRAM (NRMP)
MATCH DAY –
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013
11:45 am to 2 pm
Academic Center, Multi-Purpose Room
RESEARCH DAY –
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2013
10 am to 3 pm
Academic Center, Multi-Purpose Room and Auditorium
INTER-PROFESSIONAL GRAND ROUNDS –
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2013
4:30 pm
Academic Center, Auditorium
ACCEPTED STUDENTS’ DAY –
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2013
8:30 am to 5 pm
Academic Center, Multi-Purpose Room
My best regards,
Thomas A. Cavalieri, DO, FACOI, FACP, AGSF
Dean
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