The Dean's Weekly View: News & Notes from Interim Dean Robert L. Johnson, MD, FAAP

Oct. 15, 2021

The latest news and updates from Interim Dean Robert L. Johnson!

Medical School to Get New Education Building in New Brunswick

At a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, Governor Phil Murphy announced that the state would invest $665 million dollars in the New Jersey Innovation and Technology Hub to be located in downtown New Brunswick across from the train station. Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School's education program will be relocated to the hub, physically aligning the pre-clinical and clerkship training programs in adjacent facilities. According to news reports, the new building also will include a new state-of-the-art simulation lab and research laboratories.

Rutgers Translational Research, a Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, program also will be located at the hub along with partners in education, health care and industry, allowing for a collaborative environment to promote biomedical discoveries.

We will share updates on the new facility as construction progresses and more information becomes available. Read more about the Governor's announcement and about the groundbreaking in yesterday's message from Interim Dean Robert L. Johnson, MD, FAAP, and watch the highlights of the day, as provided by Devco.

Family Medicine Resident Honored by AAFP

Congratulations to Sydney Asselstine, MD, co-chief resident at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Family Residency at Centrastate Medical Center, who is one of only 12 residents nationally to receive the American Academy of Family Physician’s Excellence in Graduate Medical Education Award.

Dr. Asselstine, a third-year resident, is a lifelong athlete who is passionate about hockey and golf, and plans to complete a primary care sports medicine fellowship following residency. Her professional interests include fostering youth literacy and designing outreach programs for adolescents that promote active, healthy lifestyles. She is interested in pursuing additional training in alternative pain management options such as medical acupuncture. She hopes to stay active in her community and continue her involvement in teaching and advocacy throughout her career.

Read the Latest (All-Digital) Issue of Robert Wood Johnson Medicine

Your are invited to read the latest all-digital issue of Robert Wood Johnson Medicine. These stories provide a small glimpse into the type of work our community has been doing throughout -- and in some cases, despite -- the pandemic: tackling health disparities, developing a revitalized curriculum, moving the needle for people with Alzheimer's Disease, and more.

As you read, reflect on the exciting work our faculty, staff, residents, students, and alumni are doing every day to change people's health for the better.

Hurricane Ida Donation Drive

Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) and HIPHOP-CHI are continuing to collect donations for affected community members of New Brunswick's Puerto Rican Action Board (PRAB) as part of its Hurricane Ida Donation Drive. Donate the following essential items (new or unused) to help those displaced and recovering from the hurricane.

shampoo & conditioner
body wash
deodorant
toothpaste
gift cards for groceries

underwear (men & women)
socks (men & women)
inflatable beds (twin, full)
detergent
large tote bags (to carry belongings)

Drop off items at N115 or make a donation via Venmo. Review this flier for more information.

Mark Your Calendars for Faculty and Staff Head-Shots

Two free professional photo shoots will be held in upcoming weeks to accommodate requests for individual faculty and staff head-shots.

Please keep in mind that masks are mandatory (only removed for the photo) and social distancing guidelines will be followed.

No appointments.

Digital copies of the photos are available upon request from the Department of Communications and Public Affairs approximately one week after your sitting. Please contact Lauren Marshall at [email protected] to have your photo emailed to you.

New Brunswick Campus

Monday, Oct. 25

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

CAB 1302

Clinical Academic Building

125 Paterson St.

New Brunswick, NJ

Piscataway Campus

Monday, Nov. 1

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

The Old Student Lounge

Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

675 Hoes Lane West

Piscataway, NJ

Flu Immunizations Now Available!

The flu vaccine is available in the medical school by appointment only.

In order to receive a flu shot, you must:

• Complete the FLU VACCINE APPOINTMENT SURVEY. Please see this flier for dates and times when appointments are available.

• Download the consent form. Fill in your portion in advance and bring it with you to your appointment. Forms will be completed and retained by the technician.

If you receive your flu shot outside of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, please upload your results here: Return to Rutgers Influenza Vaccinations.

Visit the flu website for additional information.

Flu vaccination documentation must be uploaded to the Influenza Vaccine Portal by November 30.

Upcoming CME and Grand Rounds

For this month, I highlight:

Department of Neurology's Grand Rounds will focus on "Genetics and Epilepsy" by Colin Elis, MD, assistant professor of neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. It will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 12 from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. For virtual access and more details, please contact Lucija Milicevic.
Department of Pediatric's Grand Rounds on "Lying and Deception in Everyday Life" by Michael Lewis, PhD, University Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics. It will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 27 from 8 - 9 a.m. For virtual access and more details, please contact Maricel Quiñones.

Looking further ahead, the Department of Medicine's Grand Rounds will feature "Reconsidering Race in the Estimation of Kidney Function" by Amaka Eneanya, MD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine and epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania. It will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 17 from 8 - 9 a.m. For virtual access and more details, please contact Margaret (Peggy) Morgan.

Please feel free to contact me via e-mail about any CME related activities that you would like included in this column so that I may provide our colleagues with as much advance notice as possible.

Best wishes,

Paul F. Weber, MD, RPh, MBA, associate dean, Continuing Medical Education

Social Media Post of the Week

The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) and the HIPHOP-Community Health Initiative have hosted a series of events as part of Hispanic Heritage Month sharing Hispanic/Latinx culture through food, dance and educational presentations. The final two events included a Dinner Dance Fiesta held last week and a community panel discussion this week in which community leaders and patients discussed the impact of COVID-19 on the Latinx community. Click the image to see more from the celebration.