New Appointments

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Taranjeet Ahuja, who took on a new role as Chair of Pediatrics at Plainview Hospital, in addition to her existing responsibilities as Director, Humanism in Medicine and Communications Co-Leader. This change was effective Monday, April 3. Dr. Ahuja is still located in Room W225 and can still be reached at extension 3-7565.

Please join us in congratulating Mimi Beskydova, who took on the new role of Operations Coordinator and Administrative Assistant. This change was effective Monday, April 3. In this new role, Mimi will continue to assist Joe Nicolini and Anne Koestner, in addition to taking on new responsibilities related to coordinating operations/facilities initiatives and projects. Mimi is still located in Suite 244 and can still be reached at extension 3-7202.

Please join us in congratulating Annalise Ellis, who took on the new role of Assistant Dean for Academic Support and Administration. This change was effective Monday, April 3. In this new role, Annalise will continue to oversee faculty affairs and student records, as well as take on new responsibilities related to academic support services and operational needs. Annalise has moved to Room W244H and she can still be reached at extension 3-7576.

Well Wishes

On Friday, March 10, Dr. Nuala Crotty spent her last day at ZSOM as a Small Group Facilitator in the Department of Science Education.

On Friday, March 31, Dr. Dennis Roarke spent his last day at ZSOM as an Associate ACE Director in the Department of Science Education.

On Friday, April 14, Jennifer Kelly will spend her last day at ZSOM as a Program Coordinator in the Office of Curriculum Support.

Please join us in wishing all of these individuals well in their future endeavors.

Open Administrator Positions

• Event Coordinator: new posting
• Program Coordinator - Second 100 Weeks: interviews are ongoing
• Program Coordinator - Structure: new posting

Open Faculty Positions

• Cell and Molecular Biology/Biochemistry Educator: interviews are ongoing
• Pharmacology Educator: interviews are ongoing
• Small Group Facilitator (2 positions available): interviews are ongoing
• Structure Educator: interviews are ongoing

You can see all current open positions at Hofstra University by clicking on the new link on the Human Resources Job Opportunities web page: Career Opportunities Portal

Jazzercise Class

Our Wellness Group danced it out during a Jazzercise class led by Alissa Corrao on Thursday, March 30. If you'd like to get involved and stay updated on future Wellness Group activities, please email SOMWorkWellness@hofstra.edu.

Northwell Health Walk

On Sunday, May 21, 2023, Northwell Health is hosting Walk Day at five different locations. The Northwell Health Walk presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union unites thousands of walkers from New York and beyond to support quality, compassionate health care in their neighborhoods. For more information and to register click here.

Building Q&A

Below are questions we have received during the last few weeks.

Q. Is it possible to do something regarding the glass windows of our building to prevent birds from flying into them? 

A. We are aware of the concern and are exploring options with Hofstra University’s Campus Operations team. They have deployed decals and deterrents on or near other buildings on campus but unfortunately, this measure did not reduce the number of bird strikes. We will continue to work with the Campus Operations team toward an effective solution. 

Q. Are we considering making the new lounge in Room 142 an exclusive space for faculty and staff?

A. We have met with and listened to the concerns of members of our community regarding the use of Room 142 and the need for additional dedicated space for in-house faculty, administrators, and faculty visiting from Northwell who participate in regular curricular sessions. Additionally, the Wellness Committee submitted a proposal requesting a review of this space for the same purpose which is currently under review. Our goal is to offer a satisfactory solution before the start of the 2023-24 academic year.   

Q. Can the Servery have a web page so we can see a menu - what is offered on a day-to-day basis?

A. While menus are available for other Campus Dining locations, unfortunately, this option is not available for all Campus Dining locations, including our Servery at this time. Daily offerings are determined by Campus Dining and are subject to change based on traffic through the Servery and availability of ingredients. We will consider this suggestion as we plan for the future of the Servery.

Please submit general and relevant building-related questions to SOMOperations@hofstra.edu. We will regularly answer questions in the monthly Med School Minute.

Office Relocations

Annalise Ellis, Assistant Dean for Academic Support and Administration, moved from 123 to W244H.

Dr. Gino Farina, Assistant Dean for Clinical Preparation for Residency, moved from W212 to W249.

Dr. Louis Miller, Assistant Dean for Career Advisement, moved from 204 to W244D. 

Dr. Melissa Pawelczak, Assistant Dean for the Advanced Clinical Experience, moved from W223 to W244M.

Considering recent changes, our current floor plan is outdated. We are working on updating the floor plan and will circulate the new version once it is complete. 

REMINDER: Visitor Notifications and Work Requests

We have a new email address. Please send all visitor notifications and work requests to SOMOperations@hofstra.edu.  

Visitor notifications and requests include, but are not limited to:

• Notice of scheduled visitors (for all non-curricular visits)
• Questions or requests related to building access (keys and card credentials)
• Requests for temperature and thermostat adjustments
• Requests for new work, maintenance, or repairs
• Requests to have items moved within or out of the building
• Requests for custodial assistance with cleaning or routine maintenance

In the coming weeks we will launch a new tool which allows faculty, administrators, students, and visitors to easily submit requests for new work, repairs, maintenance, moves, etc. Stay tuned for more details.   

Servery

Hours: The Servery is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for breakfast and lunch. 

Internal events, holidays, and Hofstra University schedules will occasionally require us to change the normal operating schedule. Changes to the regular schedule will be posted on the Servery entrance and shared in the monthly Med School Minute.

We are currently working with Campus Dining to explore options for the future of the Servery. Once prospects are narrowed down, we will ask the ZSOM community for feedback as we have in the past.

Safety and Security

The recent events in Nashville, Tennessee underscore the need for our community to be aware, prepared, and vigilant. Please take a moment to review Hofstra University’s Emergency Response Plan. Here you will find information on what you can do during emergency situations. The steps and tips include how to respond to: active shooter/workplace violence scenarios, bomb threat/suspicious package encounters, chemical spills, and fire or medical emergencies. As in-person trainings become available, we will share them with the ZSOM community.  

HofstraSafe is the Official mobile safety app of Hofstra University. This app provides important safety tools, easy access to emergency procedures, and our Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Please search “Hofstra Safe” in the App Store or Google Play Store on your iPhone or Android, or scan the bar codes to the right to download the application for your device.



For more information, visit the Public Safety website.

Women Who Inspire Award for Mentor

Congratulations to Dr. Alice Fornari and Debra Rand who were both honored with the Women Who Inspire Award for Mentor at the 2023 Northwell Health Women in Healthcare BERG Women Who Inspire Awards on Wednesday, March 29. Read more here.

ZSOM Staff Leadership Excellence Award

On Wednesday, March 29, 2023, Whitney Steller, Assistant Director for Faculty Affairs was honored with the Staff Leadership Excellence Award.

As a result of her excellence in leadership and commitment to our mission, Whitney will represent the medical school administration by carrying the gonfalon at commencement on May 8. Congratulations Whitney!

P.S. What’s a gonfalon? It is a vertical banner with the Zucker School of Medicine logo on it that gets carried like a flag at the commencement ceremony. Learn more here (see page 9).

Dr. Robert Hill

On Friday, March 24, 2023, Dr. Robert Hill, was featured in a newly-opened Hofstra alumni art exhibit, that opened in the President's Suite in the Axinn West Library Wing. In the photo to the right, Dr. Hill shows off his featured sculpture, “I-95”. Read more here.

Dr. Alice Fornari

We are proud to announce that on Thursday, April 13, 2023, Dr. Alice Fornari will receive the 2023 NEGEA Innovation in Medical Education award for her work on the Just in Time Teaching (JiTT) Infographic Tools app. Please help us as we congratulate Dr. Fornari on this great accomplishment. Read more here.

• Humans of Zucker: Paras Shah
• Baldwin High School Visits the Zucker School of Medicine During the 25th Annual Baldwin Shadow Day
• New Research from Zucker School of Medicine Explores Treatments of Pediatric Tongue Venous Malformations

Alumni Information

Interested in seeing what our alumni are up to? For information about our alumni and to see past issues of our alumni newsletters please visit our alumni website: https://medicine.hofstra.edu/alumni/

To be added to the alumni newsletter distribution list, please contact Anne Koestner, Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

at 516-463-7582 or anne.koestner@hofstra.edu

Bye Bye Blackboard, Hello Canvas

Hofstra plans to switch its learning management system from Blackboard Learn to Canvas starting in spring 2023. Hofstra University will say goodbye to Blackboard Learn as it welcomes Canvas as the new learning management system (LMS). Following a successful two-year pilot program during the spring 2021 and spring 2022 semesters, Hofstra will fully adopt the cloud-hosted Canvas LMS created by Infrastructure, Inc. in the fall 2023 semester. Read more here.

Headshot Sessions

Hofstra University's Office of Marketing and Communications is holding headshot sessions for faculty and administrators on the following dates:

• Wednesday, April 26, 10:30 a.m.- 1:50 p.m., Parlor Room, Hofstra Hall
• Thursday, April 27, 12-2:30 p.m., Parlor Room, Hofstra Hall

Click here to register for an appointment slot.

Please email photo@hofstra.edu with any questions.

Administrator Annual Review Process

As a reminder, our Annual Review Process is now underway. Please note that this annual review process applies only to full-time administrative employees and supervisors of full-time administrative employees. Administrative employees who have been at ZSOM less than six months are exempt from this cycle.

Annual Academic Competition and Research Symposium

Our Annual Academic Competition and Research Symposium will take place at the Zucker School of Medicine on Tuesday, May 30, from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. There will be poster presentations and awards. The keynote speaker will be Saul Weiner, MD, Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Medical Education, Director, Clinical Leaders and Academic Scholars (CLASS) Fellowship, Senior Advisor to the Provost, University of Illinois at Chicago. Please join us!

ZSOM Style Guide

As a reminder, we have a ZSOM Style Guide that includes all specifications for the Zucker School of Medicine logo, typography, colors and application for your reference. Please click here to view and download our Style Guide. Thank you for your cooperation!