March SOM eNews

A Note From Dean Jermyn

As winter gives way to spring, we once again celebrate one of the most exciting milestones of the year, Match Day, always my favorite event. It was inspiring to see the Class of 2026 come together to mark this defining moment, the result of years of hard work, perseverance and dedication.

Congratulations to our newest class of residents, we are proud of all you have accomplished and look forward to the impact you will make.

My best regards,

Richard T. Jermyn, D.O.

Dean

Rowan-Virtua SOM Class of 2026 Marks Match Day Milestone

Members of the Class of 2026 gathered on March 20 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Cherry Hill to celebrate Match Day. Surrounded by family, friends and faculty, students joined peers nationwide in learning where they will complete their residency training.

At noon, the class opened their Match letters together, filling the room with excitement and celebration. More than 98 percent of the class matched into residency programs, with many entering primary care and nearly half remaining in New Jersey.

The day marked a major milestone and the start of the next chapter in their journey to becoming physicians.

2026 Top Docs for Kids

We're proud to announce that our physicians have been named "Top Docs for Kids" by SJ Magazine. Their commitment to not just care, but to making kids happy and healthy, truly sets them apart.

See the full list of our recognized physicians below:

Soshana Melman, M.D.

CARES Institute

Deborah O’Donnell Mulgrew, D.O.

CARES Institute

Rachel Silliman Cohen, M.D.

CARES Institute

Nicole Streeks-Wooden, M.D.

Pediatrics

Zubair Khan, D.O.

Psychiatry

Kanad Mukherjee, D.O.

Sports Medicine

Celebrating a New Research Center

Rowan University and Virtua Health, alongside community partners, celebrated the opening of a new state-of-the-art research center designed to accelerate biomedical discovery and improve patient care. Located on Rowan’s West Campus, the facility brings together students, faculty and clinicians in a collaborative environment.

The VHC Research Center includes more than 20,000 square feet of laboratory space and will house multidisciplinary teams from across the University. The facility is home to the new Institute for Orthopedic & Neuromuscular Research and the Institute for Transplant & Regenerative Medicine Research, both focused on developing new approaches to disease treatment and patient care.

Accepted Students Day Welcomes Class of 2030

The Office of Admissions hosted Accepted Students Day events on March 13 and 14, welcoming approximately 130 incoming students from the Class of 2030. The two-day celebration included opportunities for students to connect with faculty, staff and peers, highlighted by an ice cream social in the Stratford campus Academic Center. The event provided a warm introduction to the SOM community as students prepare to begin their medical school journey.

Herb Planting

This month, student doctors enjoyed herb planting. Student doctors learned about nutritional facts and culinary usage for herbs and potted them to take home.

Pet Therapy

Dr. Barry Hoffman and his wife, Barbara Hoffman, brought their certified therapy dogs to Stratford to comfort students, faculty and staff. Students enjoyed a much-deserved break spending time with the dogs.

Rowan-Virtua TBES Neuroscience Students Host Brain Awareness STEM Night

Ph.D. students in the Neuroscience Graduate Program at Rowan-Virtua School of Translational Biomedical Engineering & Sciences partnered with R.J. Steinhauer Elementary School in Maple Shade on March 17 to host a Brain Awareness STEM Night. The event welcomed students, families and community members for an evening of hands-on activities focused on neuroscience and medicine.

Graduate students led demonstrations, including microscope exploration and brain specimen displays, making complex concepts engaging and accessible. Part of international Brain Awareness Week, the event aimed to spark interest in STEM and highlight careers in science and medicine.

Wellness Tip

Managing pain doesn’t always require medication. As Dr. Alex King highlights, hands-on approaches like osteopathic manipulative medicine and acupuncture can support the body’s natural healing and improve mobility.

Read more: Hands-on healing and the body’s natural ability to recover