March SOM eNews

A Note From Dean Jermyn

Serving as the interim dean of Rowan-Virtua SOM for the past year has been one of the great honors of my career. We have done so much great work together and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to continue our progress after being appointed dean. I’m eager to build on the mission-focused work already underway, and I look forward to furthering the interdisciplinary relationships that enable us to unify patient care, research, and education.

The evidence of the momentum we have built together is increasingly evident and never more so than at our recent Match Day. With credit due to our incredible students and your tireless efforts, we achieved a 100 percent residency match! Congratulations, Class of 2024!

My best regards,

Richard T. Jermyn, DO

Dean

Rowan-Virtua SOM Celebrates Match Day

As the clock struck noon on Friday, March 15, graduates, alongside their families, friends, and supporters, anxiously awaited the revelation of their residency matches. Match Day had arrived, marking a pivotal milestone in the academic journey of graduating medical school students.

Excitement reached a fever pitch as cheers erupted throughout the room as the Class of 2024 eagerly tore open their envelopes, revealing the residency programs to which they had been matched. Once again, Rowan-Virtua SOM students secured coveted positions in some of the nation's most competitive and top-tier residency programs, including highly sought-after specialties.

Highlights from this year’s match:

• 52 percent matched into Primary Care programs (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and OB/GYN)

• 45 percent matched to programs in NJ

• Two percent matched in Military

• 35 percent matched at Rowan-Virtua SOM partner sites

• Top specialty matches include Internal Medicine (25 percent), Family Medicine (14 percent), Emergency Medicine (nine percent), followed closely by Pediatrics and Psychiatry (each with eight percent).

SOM dedicates Hope Brings Strength Health Sciences Library

The unveiling ceremony for the Hope Brings Strength Health Sciences Library was held on February 12. The library honors the memory of Bobby Ferro, the grandson of donors Dr. and Mrs. John Baldwin. Bobby's younger brother, Jonathan, is a fourth-year SOM student.

The Baldwin's $500,000 contribution helped with renovations to the library and established the Hope Brings Strength endowed scholarship for disadvantaged medical students.

Read more about this meaningful gift here.

Pet Therapy

Dr. Barry Hoffman and his wife, Barbara Hoffman, brought their certified therapy dogs to comfort students, faculty, and staff on both campuses this month. Look for the Hoffman family’s return to SOM on April 4!

Coffee with a Cop

The Rowan University Police Department stopped by our Sewell campus on March 5 for Coffee with a Cop! Student Doctors enjoyed coffee and pastries while playing games with visual impairment goggles.

SOM Community Unites for Day of Giving

Rowan University's 10^th annual Day of Giving on February 22 raised more than $30,000. Thanks to the incredible support of the SOM community, the donations will provide more funding resources for our school and our students.

A special thanks to the generosity of SOM leadership, alumni board, and donors whose challenge contributions helped win additional funds and added to the day's totals. Gratitude is extended to all who participated in making this Day of Giving a success!

Order your VHC apparel now through May 17

The Virtua Health College of Medicine & Life Sciences of Rowan University apparel pop-up shop has returned for a limited time!

Show your school pride when you order your VHC, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Salva School of Nursing & Health Professions, and School of Translational Biomedical Engineering & Sciences t-shirts and sweatshirts. Click here to view the available products.

Orders will be delivered to your home address and will be fulfilled every other week. Hurry - the store is open for a limited time and will close on May 17.

Order today!

Joanna Petrides, MBS, PsyD 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.

Don’t let your mind bully your body. Our minds can be our greatest cheerleaders and fiercest critics. Notice when your mind is telling you “You can’t do it.” Instead, approach challenging tasks by breaking them down into smaller acts which you know you can manage.