Aug. 5, 2022

The latest news and updates from Interim Dean Robert L. Johnson!
Well-wishers gathered at the Child Health Institute of New Jersey this week to thank and celebrate Robert L. Johnson, MD, FAAP, as his time as interim dean of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School comes to an end.

Medical school and hospital leadership, department chairs, administrators, physicians, faculty and staff were all in attendance. Guest speakers expressed appreciation and reflected on Dean Johnson’s milestones.
“To say that Bob served during a tumultuous time would be an understatement. His calm and collected demeanor allowed for an efficient and effective emergency management care plan, successfully leading our school, as well as New Jersey Medical School, during the worst health care crisis in modern history. The pandemic tested all of our resolve as clinicians and Bob managed both medical schools with consideration for all of our personal and professional well-being.”

Keith P. Lewis, RPh, MD
Interim Executive Vice Dean
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“Through his leadership and planning, we have become better allies and have committed to combatting racism and creating a learning environment free of bias. Bob, your commitment to excellence, health equity, and diversity is your legacy.”
 
Brian L. Strom, MD, MPH
Chancellor, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
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“This year Dean Johnson celebrates a significant milestone, 50 years as a physician! It has been a truly remarkable professional journey! May all the paths that you will continue to forge, be as clear and bright as your effervescent smile, as the twinkle in your eye, and as the spark in your heart.”
 
Alan Lee
Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
RWJBarnabasHealth – Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

 Dean Johnson, the students, residents, staff and faculty of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School are grateful for your tremendous leadership as Interim Dean!
In Case You Missed It...
Rutgers Today spotlights the medical school's White Coat Ceremony as 165 students put on their first white coats and recited the Hippocratic Oath before a large crowd at the State Theater New Jersey.

Read more in Rutgers Today and highlights of the ceremony can be found here.
MUST-WATCH Clip: Class of 2026 Makes "Jersey Proud"!
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School's incoming class and White Coat Ceremony was featured in News 12's segment Jersey Proud! The story includes video from Rutgers iTV and photography by John O'Boyle.
 
Medical Students and Family Medicine Residents Led Study Highlighted at National Conference
During the American Academy of Family Physicians' (AAFP) national conference, held last weekend in Kansas City,
second-year medical student Affan Aamir, RPh, PharmD, (pictured here) represented the medical school with findings from a recent study entitled,
"Evaluation of Medication Adherence in Student-Run Community Clinic."

The purpose of the study was to determine the rate of medication adherence among Promise Clinic patients from March 2020 to March 2021. In addition to Affan, other authors include: Drym Oh, PharmD; Minseo Kwak, PharmD; Amy Na, PharmD; Sarah Oh, RPh, PharmD; and Karen Wei-Ru Lin, MD, professor of family medicine and community health.

The AAFP has hosted its national conference for 47 years, and is the prime destination for family medicine residents, and medical students who want to explore all that the specialty has to offer.
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital's Women's Health Programs Nationally Recognized by Healthgrades
Congratulations to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for receiving the Healthgrades 2022 Labor and Delivery Excellence Award.

This distinction, made possible by contributions from the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, places the hospital’s maternity program among the top 10 percent of hospitals evaluated for overall labor and delivery care. The hospital was also a five-star recipient for Natural Birth for the second consecutive year, as well as a five-star recipient for Hysterectomy in the Gynecologic Surgery section of the 2022 Women’s Care ratings.

“Receiving this award is deeply gratifying, and this recognition validates the expertise, dedication and commitment of our maternity center team. I am very proud of all of them,” said Mark V. Sauer, MD, MS, professor and chair, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences; and senior associate dean for women’s health.

Thank you to all who continue to strive for excellence and helped to make this impressive achievement possible!
Study Shows Yoga App May Reduce Incontinence
People with loss of urinary control who used Yoga of Immortals -- a globally known app -- found significant improvement in the frequency and severity of urine leaks at four weeks of practice, according to a Rutgers study.

In the study, 258 subscribers from 23 countries between the ages of 18 and 74 – the majority being women and between 18 and 44 – were sent questionnaires at four weeks and eight weeks to report on condition improvement. 

Researchers selected the app for the study as it provides precise video and audio instruction for this comprehensive program that engages the pelvic floor and specific energy centers of the urinary system.

"This is an easily accessible, self-management treatment,” said Hari Tunuguntla, MD, associate professor of urological surgery and lead author of the study.

Dr. Tunuguntla continued, “Due to its convenience, flexibility and efficacy, the app may increase access to care and serve as first-line treatment for both women and men with urinary incontinence. However, further studies are needed to test the app’s efficacy in improving this condition long term.”

Learn more in Rutgers Today.
Discover resources and strategies to prevent healthcare-associated infections. Keep your patients and community safe by stopping infections before they start.

Register now for all new topics, including:

• Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI)
• Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI)
• Surgical Site & Wound Infections
• Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MDROs)

Next Dates: Aug. 16 and Aug. 30 from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Click here to view the information flier, which includes the training schedule, session dates, and the names of series leaders.
Social Media Posts of the Week
In the News




15-story New Brunswick medical facility sends final beam sky-highRobert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolNJ Biz

What Keeps Steroids from Working in Severe Asthma Patients -- Reynold Panettieri, Jr., MD -- Drug Topics

Should Cars Be Banned From Cities? — The Answer Might Surprise YouRobert Wood Johnson Medical School (Abel Moreyra, MD)Motor Biscuit
 

The Best Air Purifiers For A Healthier Home Catherine Monteleone, MD -- Forbes


Penn med school partners with Spelman, Morehouse, other HBCUs to increase diversity – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School – Philadelphia Inquirer, Atlanta-Journal Constitution and other syndicated outlets

Where Patients Become Parents -- George Patounakis, MD, alumnus – Orlando Family Magazine
 
How 'Stranger Things' will help Rutgers medical students study psychiatric disorders Anthony Tobia, MD – mycentraljersey.com, syndicated nationwide
 
Middlesex County players shine in Marisa Rose BowlJoseph Gaffney, MDmycentraljersey.com
Summer Schedule graphic
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