February SOM eNews

A Note From Dean Jermyn

As we begin February, I’m proud to reflect on the exciting events and initiatives happening within our SOM community. From celebrating the generosity of our donors to connecting students with alumni through professional development, it’s been a great start to the year. We look forward to more opportunities to engage and support our students, faculty, and alumni in the coming months.

My best regards,

Richard T. Jermyn, D.O., FAAPMR

Dean

Leadership Updates & New Appointments

Danielle Cooley, D.O., FACOFP, will serve as Interim Campus Dean for Sewell. As Professor and Chair of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, she brings strong leadership to support the campus’s continued growth and success.

Andrea Iannuzzelli, D.O., FACOI, CMD, has been appointed Director of Student Affairs at the Sewell campus. She will oversee student services, including academic and career counseling, wellness support, and residency advising while continuing her role as Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine.

George Scott, D.O., has been named Associate Dean of Community Relations and Engagement. In this role, he will lead the $5 million Mobile Integrated Behavioral Health Unit grant, focusing on opioid crisis intervention in Gloucester County through education, prevention, treatment, and harm reduction initiatives.

Clare Stephens, D.O., has been appointed Vice Chair of the Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Stephens, a committed educator and leader, is also an Assistant Professor and Third-Year Clerkship Director in the department.

Sophia I. Vogiatzidakis, D.O., has been appointed Vice Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. A 2014 graduate of Rowan-Virtua SOM, she will help guide the department’s clinical and academic initiatives.

SOM Scholarship Luncheon

On Sunday, February 2, the Rowan-Virtua SOM community gathered at the Eynon Ballroom to celebrate the generosity of donors and the achievements of students at the annual Scholarship Luncheon. The event featured inspiring remarks from donor and alumna Athena Theodosatos, D.O. ’06, and Student Doctor Gabrianna Andrews, Class of 2026, who shared testimonials on the impact of scholarships.

Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends, more than $526,000 in scholarships is being awarded this year to support deserving medical students.

Read more about the scholarships we offer.

Interested in starting a scholarship? Email forman@rowan.edu

Recognition of GEM Awardees

The Rowan-Virtua Faculty and Staff Wellness Committee wishes to acknowledge the SOM staff, faculty, students, and residents who have received a GEM shout-out.

The recipients of the GEM awards from December thru February are listed below.

Davina Avant

Danielle Cooley

Stephanie Dearden

Steve Garwood

Heather Glenn

Nazli Gulab

Kelsey Hayes

Sandy McGarvey

Kathy Ostberg

Jabari Phillips

Brittany Quintana

Rebecca Ramos

Laura Richards

Alexis Scott

Laura Taylor

Michele Tartaglia

Pamela Wallace

Joanna Petrides, MBS, Psy.D. from the Departments of Family Medicine and Psychology and chair of the Rowan-Virtua SOM Wellness Committee, shares this month’s tip for improving wellbeing.

Wintertime makes us all want to hibernate, but sometimes falling and/or staying asleep can be a challenge. Do you know that people who exercise regularly are less likely to experience insomnia or trouble falling/staying asleep? Physical activity is not a cure-all, however, incorporating even minor amounts of physical activity into our daily routine can result in better quality sleep and restfulness.

ROMA

Rowan Osteopathic Medicine & the Arts (ROMA) hosted the annual Rowan-Virtua SOM Talent Show on January 31. Several SOM students showcased their talents in front of their peers, and a good time was had by all! Performances included singing, dancing, and playing music, in addition to visual art displays. A special thank you to ROMA for hosting this fun and exciting event and to all our talented performers!

Build Your Own Bouquet

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, student doctors at both Sewell and Stratford created their own bouquets. They picked their favorite buds and assembled them to make the bouquets. They also enjoyed heart-shaped soft pretzels, lemonade, and iced tea!

Pet Therapy

Student doctors enjoyed taking a quick break to spend time with Sophie, the therapy dog! Sophie saw many familiar faces who were excited to have her back for a visit to help them de-stress during a busy time.

8th Annual Specialty Speed Networking Event

On February 3, the Student Affairs & Alumni Engagement team hosted the annual professional development event, Specialty Speed Networking. More than 30 students met with eight SOM alumni physicians representing a variety of specialties. The event was held virtually to reach physicians near and far and provide a diversified field of knowledge and experience to aid students in their specialty decision-making process.

New Student Collection Bins

Step aside, blue recycling bins—there are new donation bins at SOM! Thanks to the generosity of the SOM Student Government Association, students now have access to newly purchased donation bins for collections and drives hosted throughout the year to support the local community. These brand-new bins are designed to be more visible and mobile for students.