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Alumni Magazine

in this issueThe Doctor Is In and Online

Re-Introduction to RUSMCommencement 2015

We are pleased to launch the

PREMIERE ISSUEof our NEW ALUMNI MAGAZINE

GRAND OPENING

Joseph A. Flaherty, MDDean and Chancellor

LETTERfrom the Dean

As a graduate of Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM), you know what it takes to become a resilient, adaptable doctor—because that’s the type of physician RUSM trained you to be. To succeed. To overcome. To work hard. Being an RUSM-educated physician means being committed, compassionate, and socially aware. It means thinking on your feet, adjusting to any given situation, and caring for your patients in the best way possible. It means doing all of this in abundance, every day.

Nearly 12,000 of you have refined these qualities and sharpened your medical skills during your time at RUSM. As your alma mater’s dean and chancellor, I know that what you learned at RUSM empowers each and every one of you to take ownership of your medical career in ways that may not have been possible had you earned your MD somewhere else. You are part of a unique class of physicians that, through unyielding perseverance and sheer grit, grabbed your dreams and made them real.

With an alumni network as vast as ours, we want to keep you connected with your RUSM roots from Dominica to the US clinical experience and beyond—but also with each other. On that note, it’s a great honor to introduce the RUSM Alumni Magazine to you. I invite you to explore the following pages, which feature campus and island updates, alumni profiles, interesting feature stories, and much more.

Nearly 40 years after our school was founded, we’re still pursuing the same mission now that we did then: Providing an opportunity for aspiring medical students from around the world to fulfill their dreams of practicing medicine.

It’s a legacy to be proud of, and you’re a big part of it. Don’t forget that—we haven’t.

Sincerely,

Alumni Magazine | 1

8 HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

features

4 BULLETIN BOARD

16 PROFILES

22 ALUMNI EVENT RECAPS

departments

summer 2015

T H E RU SM A L U M N I M AGA Z IN E is published by the office of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations along with the office of Marketing and Communications. It is distributed twice a year to alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends. For information or to send name/address changes, please contact: [email protected].

12 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY DRAWS THOUSANDS

6 THE DOCTOR IS IN AND ONLINE

14 WHERE ARE WE GOING?

A Ross University School of Medicine retrospective.

Hundreds of the 800+ graduates, along with 4,500 friends and family members, attended the commencement event in Coral Gables, FL.

Telemedicine connects patients and physicians to streamline care, cut costs, and enhance outcomes.

Redefining Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations.

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Joseph A. Flaherty, MD Dean and Chancellor

Stephen DeSalvo Director of Institutional Advancement & Alumni Relations

A L U M N I R E L AT I O N S

Jennifer LeFebvreMary NguyenJhanay Harris Lynly Jeanlouis

S P EC I A L E V E N T S

Cheryl SchumacherKenneth EdwardsMorgan Lynch

M A R K E T I N G & C O M M U N I C AT I O N S

Chris Railey Jennifer Colodney

C O N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R S /E D I T O R S

Jenna Calder Stephen DeSalvoJhanay HarrisLynly JeanlouisJerry KimbroughMelissa Kvidahl Rivka Spiro

M A G A Z I N E P R O J EC T M A N A G E R

Kristine Lester

D E S I G N

Peter GialloretoHoward Design Group, Inc. Princeton, NJ

24 CLASS NOTES

28 EVENTS CALENDAR

2 | Ross University School of Medicine

Alumni Director’s desk from the

I would like to express how excited I am to have joined Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) as the Director of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations. I come here with over 15 years of higher education experience, the majority of that time in alumni relations. Very early in my career, it became apparent to me that there is enormous potential within the unique connection between alumni and their alma mater. It then became my life’s work to help alumni leverage this relationship. The key is simply becoming engaged with the university in whatever ways work for you.

Whether you walked across the graduation stage just a couple of years ago or if that memory is now

very distant, you are what made and what continues to make RUSM a special place. On your journey through life, RUSM will always be a part of your story. With the coordinated efforts of the RUSM Alumni Council, the deans and administrators of all the academic departments and student services, we are planning new programs, events, and benefits with real impact.

I invite you to reimagine the ways you can stay connected and involved. RUSM needs all of our alumni actively engaged as our ambassadors to continue to be a thriving institution. There are a number of volunteer opportunities available for our alumni. No matter where you live or how much time you have to give, there are ways that you can serve. I look forward to sharing such opportunities with you throughout the year.

Every academic institution will tell you that keeping in touch with alumni is an enormous challenge. This challenge is one that is a major priority for my staff and me. Please take a minute to visit www.rossu.edu/rusm-info-update to provide us your updated personal and professional information.

Over the past year we have begun to execute a shift in the focus and structure of the Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations (IAAR) department. This department’s efforts are critical to elevating the awareness and competitive positioning of our institutions, with our alumni truly engaged as ambassadors, as well as exemplars of our success in providing opportunity matched by quality education. Your new direct contact is Mary Nguyen, and you can reach her at 732-509-4875 or [email protected].

I always look forward to hearing from alumni, whether it is a great story or any suggestions you may have; I am interested in how you think the alumni association should evolve over the next few years. So please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or 732-509-4667.

Sincerely,

Stephen J. DeSalvoDirector of Institutional Advancement & Alumni Relations

DeVry Education GroupDeVry Education Group (DVG) is a global provider of educational services and the parent organization of American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Ross University School of Medicine, and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. DVG also operates Becker Professional Education, Carrington College, Chamberlain College of Nursing, DeVry University and its Keller Graduate School of Management, and DeVry Brasil. These institutions offer a wide array of programs in healthcare, business, technology, accounting, and finance.

DeVry Medical InternationalDeVry Medical International (DMI), which is part of DVG, includes American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Ross University School of Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, and the Medical Education Readiness Program. DMI Shared Services refers to the departments and colleagues who work together as well as directly with the leadership, faculty, and colleagues at the DMI institutions to support them in fulfilling their educational missions.

Mission of DMI Shared ServicesThe mission of DMI Shared Services is to provide excellent service and support to enable students, faculty, and colleagues to fulfill their goals. We strive to promote continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and student service in order to foster academic achievement, an unparalleled student experience, and long-term growth for the DMI institutions.

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RUSMALUMNI AMBASSADORDo you have some free time to give to your alma mater? Would you like to share the value of your education with prospective students and their families? Are you looking for a meaningful way to volunteer?

Become an RUSM Alumni Ambassador today!

Alumni activities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Information Seminar Speaker • Student Outreach• On-Campus Panelist• White Coat Ceremony Speaker• Commencement Speaker• Email Ambassador• Social Media Ambassador

(Facebook®, LinkedIn®, Twitter®)• Enrollment Webinar Participant

• Prospective Student Outreach • Clinical /Residency Representative• Alumni Mentor Program• Speaker at College Fairs• Transitional Program Speaker• Match Day Event Representative• Regional Chapter Leader• New Student Reception Event• Profile in Marketing Material

• Alumni Association Council Member• Post Internship/Job Opportunities• Class Representative• Conference Speaker/ PresenterAnd much more…

If you are interested in the Alumni Ambassador program and

would like more information please email us at [email protected]

KARISHMA CHAWLA, MD ’14Internal Medicine Resident

New York Methodist Hospital


bulletin boardJANUARY WHITE COAT CEREMONY

On Friday, January 19, 2015, Ross University School Medicine (RUSM) welcomed the Class of 2019 to the Dominica campus. The White Coat Ceremony is a time-honored tradition welcoming new students into the medical profession and setting clear expectations

regarding their responsibilities as physicians. The Ceremony was originally developed by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation as a way to celebrate students’ induction into the medical profession and their transition to becoming a part of the clinical team. The white coat symbolizes the vow to provide comprehensive and compassionate patient care; the oath to define each patient as a person and not their illness; and the promise to keep the patient’s best interest at heart.

The event was attended by the President of Dominica, His Excellency, Mr. Charles Savarin, his wife, dignitaries, family members, friends, university administrators, and faculty members. Students were welcomed to the island by the Honorable Robert Tonge, Senator, Minister for Tourism & Urban Renewal. They also received a warm welcome to RUSM from Dean and Chancellor Joseph Flaherty, MD. “This will be the last time I address you this formally until graduation in Florida at the BankUnited Center,” he stated as his addressed the students.

Paula Wales, EdD, senior associate dean of student affairs, led the ceremony and helped lighten the atmosphere with quite a few noteworthy remarks regarding the Class of 2019. Interim Senior Associate Dean Stanley White, PhD, introduced the event’s keynote speaker, RUSM alumna, Vedvati Patel, MD (’06). Dr. Patel is a nephrologist at Northwest Medical Associates

in Chicago, Illinois. She also teaches internal medicine at St. Anthony Hospital in Chicago, where RUSM students currently rotate. A native of Indiana, Dr. Patel earned her undergraduate degree at Purdue University in Indianapolis. Dr. Patel completed her residency in internal medicine at the University of Connecticut, and pursued a fellowship in nephrology at the University of Massachusetts.

“To the Class of 2019,” Dr. Patel said, “I want to congratulate each and every one of you as you are embarking on an amazing journey that will broaden your horizons, deepen your thinking, and expand your knowledge. This journey is truly a transformational one, in every dimension of your life…I challenge you to work hard in order to achieve your goals.”

Students were presented with a white lab coat that bore the RUSM logo on the lapel. Each student was cloaked by a member of the RUSM faculty administration to highlight the belief RUSM places within each student’s ability to carry on the noble tradition of doctoring. The ceremony came to a close following the swearing of the Hippocratic Oath, during which students pledged their dedication to service their patients and uphold specific ethical standards. n

RUSM & THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY In the spring, RUSM partnered with the American Cancer Society in southern New Jersey to sponsor Relay

for Life® events on college and university campuses. RUSM would like to expand upon its relationship with the American Cancer Society by supporting the following initiatives:

• Community Engagement: Provide health education and screenings in underserved urban communities.• Colorectal Cancer Prevention: Support the American Cancer Society’s national effort to increase the screening rate for colorectal cancer to 80% for adults ages 50 and older by 2018. The “80% by 2018”initiative

is led by the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable, which is an alliance of more than 140 organizations that have made a commitment to eliminate colorectal cancer as a major public health problem. For more info,

visit: nccrt.org.• Extramural Research and Training: Pursue several opportunities for beginning investigators to apply for research and training.

If you live or work in the southern New Jersey or Philadelphia region and would like to get involved, then please contact Nicole Pride at 732-509-4822 or via email at [email protected].

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LEND A LEGACY Do you know aspiring physicians looking to apply to medical school? Has a potential RUSM student volunteered at your practice? Help them earn the Alumni Legacy Scholarship—all it takes is a letter of recommendation and a qualified candidate. For more information, please visit: rossu.edu/scholarships.

YOU NAME IT!As a Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) graduate, we know how driven you are, because that’s what led you to choose RUSM, and what continues to lead you in your medical career today. RUSM is beyond proud of our alumni—nearly 12,000 strong—who have helped shape our legacy of excellence.

It’s only fitting that you help us shape our alumni magazine, too! We want you to do us the tremendous honor of giving it a name.

Please send your suggestions to [email protected] with ‘You Name It: RUSM’ as the subject line. Once we’ve narrowed your suggestions down, you’ll vote on the final choices in September. We’ll announce the winner on our blog once the contest is over!

YOU’RE PART OF OUR PAST. STAY CONNECTED— BE PART OF OUR FUTURE.

LEND A HELPING HAND TO FUTURE RUSM GRADS.

JOB POSTINGSLooking to fill internships, full-time or part-time positions at your practice? RUSM is happy to work to build relationships between your organization and RUSM alumni. Listing your openings with RUSM will provide you with increased exposure to quality physicians from a variety of specialties. Support the RUSM community of alumni and enhance your organization by recruiting and hiring fellow Rossies. Please email [email protected].


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Telemedicine connects patients and physicians to streamline care, cut costs, and enhance outcomes.

the doctor is inONLINE&

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ONLINE

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Resources:1. Gustke, S.S., Balch, D.C., West, V.L., and Rogers, L.O. (2000). Patient satisfaction with telemedicine. Telemedicine Journal, 6(1): 5-13.2. Leggett, P.F., Graham, L. , Steele, K., Gilliland, A., Stevenson, M., O’Reilly, D., Wootton, R., and Taggart, A. (2001). Telerheumatology: Diagnostic accuracy and

acceptability to patient, specialist, and general practitioner. British Journal of General Practice, 51(470): 746-8.3. The Value of Provider-to-Provider Telehealth Technologies. Center for Information Technology Leadership Partners HealthCare System, Inc., 2007.4. Cryer, L., Shannon, S.B., Van Amsterdam, M., Leff, B. (2012). Costs For ‘Hospital At Home’ Patients Were 19 Percent Lower, With Equal Or Better Outcomes

Compared To Similar Inpatients. Health Affairs. 31:61237-1243. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2011.1132

97%

850,000

1,000,000

With the proliferation of smartphones, information and entertainment are available at the touch of a button. And as more physicians incorporate telemedicine into their practice, on-demand resources now include healthcare.

In the broadest definition of the term, telemedicine refers to exchanging medical information—between patients and their doctors, or among physicians—through electronic communications. In practice, telemedicine includes a wide spectrum of tools and tasks ranging from the simple to the complex; digital photos, emails, online patient portals, nursing call centers, remote vital sign monitoring technology, and continuing medical education are just a few examples of telemedicine in action. What they all have in common, though, is a dedication to efficiently enhancing care.

According to the American Telemedicine Association (ATA), the use of telemedicine began over 40 years ago, when hospitals sought to bring

healthcare to patients living in rural or otherwise remote areas. Even today, access remains an

important benefit of telemedicine, but is one that extends to all patients, regardless of location. Through live video conferencing and

digital transmission of diagnostic imaging and other data, telemedicine allows

patients to connect with a facility or specialist anywhere in the world.

When used in tandem with in-person care, telemedicine yields a more streamlined response than conventional approaches, said Ronald A. Turck, Jr., MD, RUSM ’01, a Florida-based, board certified neurologist. “If a patient comes into a hospital suffering from a stroke, I would be contacted urgently.

Being able to make a quick decision on treatment can greatly improve the

patient’s outcome,” he explained. “Instead of waiting for me to travel to the hospital,

telemedicine allows me to make a decision remotely and quickly.”

Telemedicine can also enhance satisfaction in chronically ill or injured patients, since

technologies such as remote monitoring can work in tandem with visiting nurses to provide ongoing care without requiring frequent travel to a doctor’s office. Peer support groups become more attractive when patients don’t have to travel, and online health

portals can ensure they’re receiving the right information. And as remote monitoring, shared physician staffing, reduced travel times, and shorter hospital stays drive costs down, care becomes a more affordable option across the board.

But the benefits don’t end with the patient. Physicians incorporating telemedicine into their practice gain access to a worldwide network of colleagues and specialists for consultation and collaboration that may not have been possible otherwise. Online seminars also allow for remote access to continuing medical education. “Telemedicine can be used in many different practices from hospitals to primary care offices to nursing homes to patients’ homes,” explained Turck. “If used efficiently, it could certainly have the opportunity to connect communities nationwide and worldwide.” n

Accuracy of televisual consultations, according to a study

involving rheumatology patients 2

Number of emergency room transports hybrid technologies would be avoid each year in the US, amounting to a savings of $537 million 3

Approximate number of Americans currently using

remote cardiac monitors, according to the ATA

outcomes by the numbers

98.3%

19%

Overall patient satisfaction with telemedicine1

Cost savings home care delivers, derived from shorter hospital stays and fewer tests ordered, over similar hospital inpatients 4

8 | Ross University School of Medicine8 | Ross University School of Medicine

A Ross University School of Medicine Retrospective HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

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When we started poring over the history of Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) in preparation of writing this retrospective, something struck us: We’ve really come a long, long way as an institution. And that becomes especially telling when you consider that decades ago, our first batch of enrolled students weren’t studying medicine in the high-tech lecture halls and laboratories you’ll see on campus today. Instead, those less-than-a-dozen students studied medicine in a Dominica hotel room.

Humble beginnings, indeed. Founded in 1978 by a wealthy entrepreneur, RUSM has, for nearly 40 years now,

been a beacon of opportunity for bright, ambitious medical school students—like you—who refused to let anything stand in the way of fulfilling their dream of becoming a physician. And we’re just as proud of that mission now as we were then.

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Taking the First Steps Toward Becoming a Medical SchoolRUSM’s story begins in the same way that many of our students’ stories do: Someone had a dream of practicing medicine, and a certain set of circumstances prevented that dream from coming to fruition. Until RUSM.

This student needed an opportunity, and RUSM exists today because the school’s founder wanted to give that student a shot. In a New York Times piece that ran in 1992, RUSM founder Robert Ross told a reporter how everything came together: “In 1976,” Ross told the Times in 1992, “a member of my staff whose son was having trouble getting into medical school said, ‘How would you like to start a medical school?’ I replied, ‘You’re really crazy.’ Then I did it.”

That was all it took—that, and the $15 to $20 million that Ross kicked in to finance the school, according to published reports.

According to Ross’s obituary (he died at age 92 on March 19, 2011) his staff member’s son—the one who planted the idea of a medical school in Ross’s head—had originally started the early part of his medical education in the Dominican Republic, but was rejected from the US hospitals to which he applied for the next phase of his training. That part of the story, perhaps, might resonate with you. It certainly resonates with us, and we’re sure you can see how it helped shape our school’s guiding philosophy.

The country of Dominica had approved a charter for the medical school in June 1978, after nearly a year of discussion between government and university officials about the school’s purpose, organization, and operations. Those discussions not only bore fruit in terms of establishing RUSM as a medical school—they opened the door to a mutual spirit of cooperation between the school and the country, where RUSM agreed to help Dominica with economic development and healthcare service expansion. Dominica, in turn, would help and encourage RUSM in terms of facility and program development. That spirit of mutual cooperation still exists today.

Creating a Legacy of OpportunityKeep in mind that as of this magazine’s publication date, nearly 12,000 physicians have earned their Doctor of Medicine degrees here, and hundreds of new RUSM students begin academic study in Dominica each year. This should put things into perspective: RUSM’s first class of students was a grand total of 11 people. And at the time, our school wasn’t even called Ross University School of Medicine. It was originally founded as the University of Dominica on June 23, 1978—a name that stuck until 1983.

During the school’s formative stages in 1978, initial medical school classes were held in a hotel room—a stark contrast to the technologically advanced campus environment or the medical-imaging-equipped anatomy lab you’d spot if you visited RUSM today. That very first RUSM class was made up of students with advanced standing from other medical schools in December 1978.

Months later, in April 1979, the first basic sciences class began studies at RUSM, initially in leased facilities (in this case, St. Joseph’s Parish in Dominica). Fast-forward two years, and RUSM was holding class and conducting laboratory exercises in a newly constructed academic building on RUSM’s Portsmouth campus.

Years and further campus enhancements later, by 1997, RUSM had reached agreements with—and was recognized by—the states of New York and New Jersey for placement of RUSM students in approved teaching hospitals for the clinical phase of their education.

In 2000, Ross sold RUSM—as well as Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, which he also founded and owned—to two US-based venture capital firms, Leeds Equity Partners and J.W. Childs Associates. Three years later, in 2003, DeVry Education Group purchased both schools.


Then & Now: Filling an Unmet Need with an Enhanced Campus

1 New Physician Workforce Projections Show the Doctor Shortage Remains Significant. Association of American Medical Colleges. 3 March 2015. www.aamc.org/newsroom/newsreleases/426166/20150303.html

Here’s what has changed since the early days of RUSM: Rather than a hotel room, students now learn the basic sciences in highly advanced lecture hall and laboratory settings on a campus that is leaps and bounds from its humble beginnings in 1978. Students leverage some very progressive technology—like the equipment in the school’s internationally accredited Simulation Institute—to help them master the basic sciences in Dominica before they head to the United States for clinicals.

What about the clinical side? That part of the program has grown even stronger, too. Now, students can undergo their clinical rotations at hospitals in a variety of major US metropolitan areas—not just New York and New Jersey, but also California, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, and more.

We’ve even gone a step further and created what we call “clinical hubs”—a term that refers to teaching hospitals clustered around the same region. This step allows clinical students to complete all of their core rotations in the same geographical area, making the clinical process even more seamless and convenient for students.

Now, here’s what hasn’t changed: our school’s commitment to training much-needed healthcare providers so they can practice in the US, Canada, and globally.

“They are a godsend,” one Brooklyn hospital administrator is quoted as telling Forbes magazine in 1983. He’s talking about RUSM students. Early graduates of RUSM, according to published reports, often accepted primary care physician positions in rougher, run-down urban neighborhoods in the US.

History repeats itself, it would seem. The Association of American Medical Colleges1 (AAMC) is predicting a nationwide physician shortage that could hit the US as early as 2025. The shortage is expected to be especially bad in rural and urban areas, and this time, it isn’t just limited to primary care—according to the AAMC, the country will be short specialists and surgeons, too.

Given that our mission is to provide the US and world with much-needed physicians, it seems like RUSM, our students, and our graduates have some work to do. And for 2015, we’re already getting started. This year, RUSM graduates earned more than 800 residency positions throughout the US. Many of these grads landed residencies in primary care, but RUSM alumni also netted residencies in historically competitive specialties, like neurology or orthopedic surgery.

That’s a legacy that we’re proud of—and we hope you’re just as proud. Because we’re just getting started. n


RE-INTRODUCTION CONTINUED

This is a historic day for our medical school. Earlier today we held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of our new Student Center on the Dominica

campus. We were joined by many dignitaries, including the Chairman of the RUSM Board of Trustees Thomas G. Hollinger, PhD. The message that Dr. Hollinger delivered really encapsulated the spirit of the occasion, and so I want to share what he said with all of you:

“It is a pleasure to be on the Dominica campus representing the Ross University School of Medicine Board of Trustees on the occasion of the ribbon- cutting ceremony for the new Student Center—a facility which enhances and supports many aspects of student life at RUSM.

We celebrate the opening of this marvelous facility of more than 50,000 square feet, and an investment of $18 million. It is an investment that will surely continue to build on the legacy of excellence in medical education at RUSM, and sustain the essential qualities of a rigorous academic education and the value of community as a support for a successful total student experience. It is

an honor to share in this celebration and achievement. I very much want to express the board’s appreciation to the faculty, staff, Dominican community and students on your commitment to excellence.

My first visit to RUSM was in 2003 when the cofounders of DeVry, Dennis Keller and Ron Taylor, brought a review team to Dominica for the purpose of evaluating the program and facilities at the medical school. At that time, DeVry was in the midst of purchasing the school and was committed to ensuring that the facilities and resources would support and facilitate teaching and learning of the highest quality in medical education.

Every time that I visit the Dominica campus, my conversations with faculty and staff affirm for me the ongoing and dedicated commitment of our colleagues to provide an academic environment that prepares our students with the most current knowledge and practices in medical education. And, every time that I visit RUSM, I am also awed by my observations of the exceedingly strong work ethic and integrity of the students.

In my interactions with faculty, staff, and students, I can say, without reservation, that the RUSM school culture

exhibits two essential qualities. First, it intentionally fosters and supports a rigorous and relevant curriculum that prepares students for excellent outcomes in clinical practice. Second, it intentionally integrates fully the belief that a medical education at RUSM must also include student services which enhance, support, and facilitate the total student-life experience. Careful attention must be paid to meeting the need for student-life experiences beyond the classroom walls. Thoughtful attention to the area of student services includes opportunities for peer collaboration, opportunities for faculty mentoring and opportunities for peer discussions. Student life involves working in diverse and various life situations.”

Dr. Flaherty’s initiative “One School, One Mission” succinctly defines RUSM’s understanding that a successful outcome in obtaining a medical degree includes not only a rigorous and relevant medical education but also an emphasis on student life as it relates to the building of personal and professional relationships and being an active participant in the RUSM community. n

From left to right: Dr. Thomas G. Hollinger, RUSM Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Hon. Dr. John C. McIntyre, Acting Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica; Dean Joseph Flaherty, MD; and Dr. White.

RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY MAY 14, 2015: DEAN FLAHERTY’S SPEECH

Dean and Chancellor Joseph Flaherty, MD, ushered in the new Student Center on the Dominica campus earlier this year with a heartfelt speech. Here’s what he said:


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Some of the graduates walked across the stage slowly, with a dignified pace befitting the commencement ceremony of Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM). Others strode quickly, purposefully, as if they were in a rush to begin their lives as physicians. One woman shared the experience with her baby, strapped in a carrier to her front. She cradled him as she shook the hand of Dean and Chancellor Joseph A. Flaherty, MD and accepted her degree.

The event, held on May 30, 2015, at the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, Florida, had hundreds of the 800+ graduates in attendance, along with 5,000 friends and family members. After each name was called, the audience clapped and cheered enthusiastically.

“What does it take to succeed in medical school? To get in, to get through, and to get to a day like this,” Dean Flaherty began his remarks. “Looking out at you, and knowing what you went through to get here, it’s hard to imagine a more perfect embodiment of the concept of grit. You have faced and overcome obstacles, bounced back from setbacks, and worked harder, I’m sure, than you ever thought you were capable of. Most of you know that I am a product of the University of Illinois College of Medicine. I earned my medical degree there, I taught there, I trained many physicians there, and I served as its dean. One of the things that attracted me to Ross was the attitude of students

I met when I visited…There was something about the way they talked about the opportunity they had and the work that was required of them. And not one of them had any doubt that they would make it through and go on to residency.”

“That inspired me, and when I think back, and I look at you now, many of whom I have met and spoken with, I know that I was attracted to the grit that Ross students bring to this experience. The endurance. The resilience. And the commitment and drive—you wouldn’t be here without that.”

Dean Flaherty talked about the fact that, “Over the next few years it will be more difficult to find a doctor, a primary care doctor. Many of you are going into primary care and staying in primary care.”

The commencement address was delivered by two-time Pulitzer-Prize winner, New York Times columnist and author, Nicholas Kristof. “His work to expose and address challenges to human rights and social justice around the world is a wonderful example for our graduates looking to make a difference in the lives around them,” Dean Flaherty said. Kristof’s columns focus on global health, poverty and gender issues in the developing world, and more.

The theme of Kristof’s remarks was what he called the empathy gap. “I remember at one point I was tempted to ditch journalism and go to medical school,” Kristof related. He told a story about his travels in Niger, where, on a visit to a clinic he

RUSM COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

DRAWS THOUSANDS


saw a pregnant woman suffering from eclampsia who was about to lapse into a coma. The doctor would not perform a C-section because the husband couldn’t be found to give his permission. “But they didn’t want her to die in front of a New York Times journalist,” Kristof said. So the doctor did the surgery and a healthy baby was delivered. Mother and child were fine. “At that moment I wanted to take the MCAT,” Kristof quipped.

“One thing that I saw that day was that sometimes we still falter on access and empathy,” he told the graduates. “Today you reached a turning point in your lives. One of the dangers of success is that we risk becoming insulated from the needs of people… One of the things I admire about Ross is that so many of you end up in needy communities. You’ll be frustrated. You give patients advice and they won’t take it, about smoking, about unprotected sex. That’s when you need empathy.”

Kristof asked rhetorically, “Why don’t we take risks more often? It’s because of a sense that the problem is too vast. You’re going to see that in your profession. We’ve become numb. It seems like whatever we do is just a drop in the bucket. I’ve become a believer in drops in buckets.”

The eminent journalist told a story about a Holocaust survivor, a young man who was cleaning hotel rooms in France after WWII, dreaming of the opportunities he might have in the US, but unable to find the means to emigrate. A chance encounter with a patron led to a sponsorship, allowing him to go to the US. “The sponsors didn’t make a dent in the global refugee problem,” Kristof said. “But their action made a dent in my life.” That young survivor was Kristof’s father. “Take it from me, drops in buckets—that’s how you fill buckets.”

In closing, Kristof said to the graduates, “I hope you can use your learning and success to help others fill the empathy gap and fill buckets, one drop at a time.” n


RECONNECT (ree-kuh-nekt) to join, link, unite or bind; to establish successful communication between two parted entities.

Whether it has been a year or thirty since you walked across that stage, shook the dean’s hand and officially became a physician, there is one constant: Ross University School of Medicine. Every time you put on your long white coat in the morning, scrub in for a surgery, or have the next great breakthrough in medical science, you are linked to RUSM. We are so proud of all our alumni and their accomplishments. It is important to remain connected with RUSM throughout your career, and keep us informed about all of those milestones, highlights and achievements. We want to share those successes with the rest of the Rossies out there through this magazine, our website, and social media.

RE-ENGAGE (ree-en-geyj) act of committing oneself, a pledge or a promise of involvement.

Not only is it imperative to remain in contact with RUSM, but equally essential to stay in touch with your fellow alumni. Networking is just as important in the medical arena as it is in any other career field. Who better to fill your network than other RUSM alumni—those who you share a similar experience, memories, and journeys? The Alumni Association affords you the opportunity to get in touch with other alumni at events—through the social media outlets as well as getting involved as an Alumni Ambassador.

There are many opportunities to get involved with your Alumni Association. We work closely with the Enrollment Management team at their Information Seminars all around the US, distributing information about RUSM to prospective students. Alumni join current faculty as well as one of our deans on a panel presenting their unique experiences and answering questions. We also send alumni back to Dominica to different events on campus, to speak at White Coat events, orientation, transitions week and/or events to spend time with pre-med advisors. Or you can simply become a mentor to a current student during his/her journey of becoming a physician.

Once you have become an Alumni Ambassador you will be invited to exclusive events that will take place all over the US. Most recently, we held an event in a luxury box at New York Yankee vs. Boston Red Sox game at Yankee Stadium and this fall we are planning a wonderful dinner boat cruise aboard a luxury yacht out of Miami. Events like these allow us to show our appreciation and gratitude for our volunteers who give of their time and talents throughout the year.

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INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT & ALUMNI RELATIONS Where Are We Going?


REINVIGORATE (ree-in-vig-uh-reyt) fill with life and energy, to rouse into activity.

Our charge is to truly develop an exceptional alumni relations program. This will include many new initiatives, and this magazine is certainly one of the first steps in the right direction. We will be producing and distributing two issues a year, one in the summer and again in the winter. The content in these publications will be centered on the discoveries, accomplishments, successes, and milestones of you, our alumni!

We will also be developing a Regional Alumni Chapter Program, where deans and prominent faculty members or administration will visit our alumni all over the US and let them know what’s been going on at RUSM. Some of you may be unaware of how many alumni are in your local area. These Regional Chapter events will give you a chance to find out!

You will see a new presence on the major social media platforms dedicated to RUSM alumni. We have a team dedicated to posting the most relevant and current news and notes regarding RUSM and your fellow alumni. We will also be redesigning our website. You will have the opportunity to search for fellow alumni through an online directory, seamlessly update your information, or submit something for the magazine. These are just some of the things to look forward to in the coming year!

REMINISCE (rem-uh-nis) to recall past experiences, events, or time periods of significance in one’s life.

That first day on Dominica, the first time you put on the White Coat, the transition to clinicals, and of course Match Day and commencement; you have shared so many significant memories with those who came before and after you at RUSM and most certainly with your fellow classmates. Ensure that that bond stays intact. Stay in touch with us, or even better, become an Alumni Ambassador and assist with one or many of our new programs. Either way, we are looking forward to reconnecting you to Ross University School of Medicine!


WHAT FIRST BROUGHT YOU TO RUSM?

When I first came to RUSM in 1993, I was working as the psychiatrist for the country of Dominica and was very much involved in developing a good mental health program locally and for the region. I was recruited by the dean of RUSM to lecture on a part-time basis, and I did that from 1993 to 2000. I accepted a full-time position at RUSM in 2000.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR MEMORIES OF THE CAMPUS IN THE 1990s?

The main campus was in Roseau on the bay front. It was a leased property, and a far cry from the modern, high-tech auditoriums we currently have on the Portsmouth campus. It was very underdeveloped. To be honest, the ambience was not good—it was like working in tin cans.

I recently met with pre-med advisors, and one asked a very perceptive question: We know you talk about your strengths, but what are some of your weaknesses? I responded that, though we have a much more beautiful campus than we did when I first arrived, we still have some of those tin cans around, like my department building, which is the oldest on the current campus. A colleague of mine has even crawled through the roof to drop into a locked office! So, I explained that this is the

weakness. We may not be the prettiest campus among the offshore schools, but within the tin cans we have hearts of steel. Of strength. Students come here in large numbers because they know we work to make them successful. That pre-med advisor responded that my answer truly touched her, and now she wants to send her students to RUSM.

WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY?

The truth? When I was asked to join RUSM on a part-time basis in 1993, I was

not very keen. There was a huge stigma against RUSM from the University of the West Indies (UWI), where I did my post-graduate training. It was as if RUSM, a private enterprise, was intruding on our realm of aristocracy. For the crème de la crème—the persons who became doctors in this part of the world—it was as not to be accepted that persons who could not enter the UWI should be allowed to become doctors.

I was good friends with the RUSM dean at that time; we played squash together. He asked me to do lectures at the campus in Roseau and I agreed because I cannot say no, especially to friends.

But I came to enjoy the appreciation of the students, and became more and more enchanted with RUSM and the fact that the students were intelligent and highly motivated. I was no better than they were. I slowly lost my arrogance and gained enormous respect for the sacrifice, motivation, and courage that the students were showing to become doctors.

HOW IS RUSM DIFFERENT TODAY FROM WHEN YOU FIRST ARRIVED?

Physically, the transformation has been unbelievable and is still ongoing. There’s a new Center for Teaching and Learning, which is nearly finished and awesome, and an amazing anatomy lab and

profile: faculty

Davendra Sharma, MBBS, DM, professor and interim chair of behavior sciences, has been at Ross University School of Medicine for over 20 years. Here, he explains not only the great transformations taking place on campus, but also his unique path from skeptic outsider to passionate advocate of the university.

INSIDE “TIN CANS” BEAT HEARTS of STRENGTH

Alumni Magazine | 17

simulation lab. But what remains is the care and quality of our training that made it possible for our pioneers to succeed. And that training has not been static. Our dean made a promise that our school will be one campus integrating the basic sciences and clinical programs. That is happening. We are not static. We are the most dynamic campus in the world. Our changes in curriculum, in clinical skills training, by our support services…are extraordinary.

We have grown as a force that is beyond comparison. We have something that goes beyond materialism. We have the commitment. We have the love for our students. That is what this school is all about, or I would not have been here so long. I grew up in RUSM, and I am now the interim chair of my department. I am proud of my progress, and the support I have received from RUSM. And I am proud that I have supported so many who are now successes in the medical field.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PLACES ON CAMPUS TODAY?

I really like to sit outdoors at the tables and have my lunch. The Picard Food Pavillion, a row of about 20 food vendors, is nice—we call it The Shacks. I like the atmosphere and the chance to tease students about their meal choices!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT RUSM TODAY?

Gosh! My favorite thing would be my department team. I have some unbelievable people working for me and my students. I can count on them to go above and beyond—all are exceptional. If I had to make a full list, it is impossible.

I have too many favorites including our support staff, security team, administrators, and student clubs.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE UNIVERSITY’S FUTURE?

What I have looked forward to, I am already seeing happen. I believe that our future is dependent on achieving our mission of making our students successful, and I see the necessary changes happening for that to be possible.

In the end, our tin cans made to

withstand hurricane force winds are filled with the force of love for our students. I look forward to the day when our university will be recognized in the US as a center of excellence equal to or greater than the best the US has to offer. I am proud to be part of this progress. I am proud of my students; they keep me going. Their words of thanks mean much to me. They cannot begin to understand my sense of pride, humbleness, and gratefulness, for entrusting themselves to my teaching and for allowing me to be part of their lives and success. n

“We have grown as a force that is beyond comparison. We have something that goes beyond materialism. We have the commitment. We have the love for our students. That is what this school is all about, or I would not have been here so long.”


Dr. Hollinger is an accomplished researcher and educator who has published

numerous scientific articles and has been honored for excellence in teaching. He

has served on the Ross University School of Medicine Board of Directors since 2003.

Dr. Hollinger has been the recipient of research grants from the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes, and the National Institutes of Health. He also developed and published one of the first digital textbooks, a multimedia hybrid CD-ROM on microscopic anatomy that has been used by students at over 90% of US medical schools.

During his extensive career at the University of Florida, Dr. Hollinger taught courses in the College

of Medicine, the College of Dentistry, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the College of Engineering. He was recognized seven times as Teacher of the Year in the Colleges of Medicine and Dentistry, and received the UF College of Medicine’s TIP award, a rigorous and selective peer review award, for teaching excellence and scholarship.

Dr. Hollinger also served in numerous leadership positions, including Director of Anatomic Education, where he managed a diverse professional faculty, and course director for microscopic anatomy, embryology, cell biology, and gross anatomy. As a charter member of the UF College of Medicine’s Society of Teaching Scholars, whose purpose is to identify and support excellence in teaching, Dr. Hollinger has participated in extensive mentoring of teaching faculty.

Dr. Hollinger earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Kellogg School of Business Administration at Northwestern University, a Master of Science degree in biology from Northern Illinois University, and a doctorate in zoology from Purdue University. His thesis work on nuclear transplantation in oocytes of vertebrates was instrumental in laying the foundations for some of the current advances in in vitro fertilization and cloning. He completed two years of postdoctoral work at the University of Tennessee Oak Ridge National Laboratory before joining the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the UF College of Medicine. n

profile: board of directors

Career highlights and accomplishments of Thomas G. Hollinger, PhD (Chair)

LEADERSHIP & EXCELLENCE


It’s a Sunday, and Filippo Chillemi, MD (’09) is waiting in a private

hangar at Pensacola International Airport. He’ll board a private

jet bound for Washington, DC where, upon arrival, he and his

colleagues will be whisked from the airport to a special entrance

at FedExField, home of the Washington Redskins.

It might sound like the route taken by a professional football player or halftime show star. In reality, Dr. Chellemi is part of a team of independent medical advisors hired by the Redskins to consult as well as evaluate and treat players. “Before each game, we head to the locker room to evaluate any active injuries, and give clearance on whether players are going to play or not,” he says. “Then, when the game starts, we head to the sidelines.”

After the game, you’ll find him consulting on tests and screenings, or evaluating any bumps and bruises that may not have been disclosed to the medical staff during the game. When all is said and done, he and his team return to the plane, fly back to Florida, and spend the week following up with these and other athletes who seek out their advice on surgeries, treatments, and ongoing care.

A COMPETITION TRADITIONDr. Chillemi has always been interested in sports. In fact, in high school, he was a star soccer player, traveling the world to compete in youth world cups and other international events. Upon graduation, he

accepted a full scholarship to play for Notre Dame’s top flight soccer team. “I had a plan A and a plan B,” he says. “Plan A was to play soccer: go to Europe, and play until I couldn’t play anymore. If I couldn’t play soccer, plan B was to go to medical school.”

So when he injured his ankle, plan B quickly became the only plan worth pursuing. “My brother went to RUSM, and to be honest, I didn’t apply anywhere else,” he says.

“Going into medical school, I knew I wanted to be an orthopedist, and I knew it would be competitive. So I worked hard, became valedictorian, and scored very high on my exams so I would be a competitive applicant. It worked out.”

Indeed, it did. Dr. Chillemi scored a residency at the University of South Alabama, which had just started its NCAA Division I football program. Working alongside just two other residents, Chillemi followed the team to every home and away game, training, and practice, gaining the one-on-one experience he needed to launch his career in sports medicine.

Today, Dr. Chillemi is an orthopedic sports medicine fellow at the Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze, FL, treating

baseball and football players ranging from high school students right on up through the pros. “The Pensacola Blue Wahoos minor league baseball team comes to us, and on Fridays we cover a bunch of local high school football teams,” he says. “Saturday we cover Auburn University—we fly up on the private jet for home and away games. And on Sundays, we’re with the Redskins.”

Between this busy schedule, Dr. Chillemi and his team are spearheading advances in stem cell research, particularly as it pertains to cartilage growth. “There’s no way to regrow particular cartilage once it’s been damaged, but we’re hoping stem cells are the answer,” he says. “It’s not proven yet—we’re still working on it—but we go in and expose the bone, we drill a hole, and inject stem cells into it. The hope is that the cells realize they’re in an area where they’re supposed to be cartilage, and grow into cartilage.” He hopes that this technology will eventually help the myriad players coming in with common sports injuries like ACL and SLAP tears.

“As advisors, we’re not on the teams’ medical staffs,” he said. “And that’s important, so the players know we are unbiased. We want them to feel free to come to us and talk to us, and know that what we do may not be the best thing for the team, but it will be what is best for the athlete.” n

profile: alumni

Filippo Chillemi, MD, brings his passion for sports to his practice with the pros.

AN ADVOCATE for ATHLETES


profile: alumni

From a new clinical advising model to updated curriculum options, the

improved student experience at Ross University School of Medicine

(RUSM) can be largely attributed to the expertise and passion of Paula

Wales, EdD, Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Thanks to her

leadership, faculty and staff at the university have joined together with

one goal in mind: to enhance student services.

PROVIDING SERVICES THAT MATTERDr. Wales admits that pure curiosity first sparked her interest in RUSM: She wanted to know what attracted one of the leading medical educators in the US, Joseph Flaherty, MD, to leave his post as dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine to accept a new role as executive dean and chancellor at RUSM. So in 2012, she decided to put her 20 years of experience at the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) to work at RUSM.

“The combination of my background in curriculum development and student services allows me to make changes that are meaningful—less arduous,” said Dr. Wales. “Let the students focus on medicine, not figuring out what paperwork to fill out.”

She first set her sights on enhancing the clinical experience through the launch of the ROSS Model, an acronym for Rely On Student Service. This new clinical advisory model ensures that students who are dispersed throughout the country keep connected to RUSM, stay on track with their clinical timelines, and receive the career and match advising they need to succeed.

“We are not done with students when they graduate,” she says. “We want to help them get jobs, and we want to help them match.”

And thanks to Dr. Wales’ leadership, clinical students have more opportunities than ever to prepare for the National Resident Matching Program®. For example, the Office of Student and Professional Development (OSPD) conducts mock interviews—either in-person at the administrative office in Miramar, FL or via Skype™—to help students prepare for meetings with residency directors.

“RUSM isn’t afraid to try new strategies,” says Dr. Wales. Some of the new approaches on the horizon include:• Increasing academic advising and

ensuring continuity of guidance by incorporating the Center for Teaching and Learning into the new ROSS Model;

• Pairing OSPD advisors with every RUSM student to discuss career plans; and

• Providing subject examinations for each discipline to help prepare students for the United States Medical Licensing Examination®.

KEEPING STUDENTS THE PRIORITYRecent surveys indicate that students are noticing and responding favorably to these changes, and perhaps this is because Dr. Wales has her finger on the pulse of student issues. She engages with students daily, particularly with those who are trying to overcome challenges.

“Half my time is spent directly with students. I speak with them every day,” says Dr. Wales. “Our students are really smart and capable, but sometimes life gets in the way. It’s fulfilling to help them through it.”

According to Dr. Wales, producing caring doctors begins with showing that very same care in medical school. “RUSM is not a machine that churns out physicians,” she says. “RUSM works with students to help them throughout their medical education journey.” n

Paula Wales, EdD, leads the charge in improving the student experience.MEET RUSM’S STUDENT ADVOCATE


Josh Ronen, a fifth-semester student at Ross University School of

Medicine, is a realist. “We can’t just study here, or we’ll go crazy,” he

says. “Doctors don’t just doctor; they have other interests. It’s important

for us to still be able to investigate our creative interests as students, to

keep our minds healthy for when we sit down to hit the books again.”

That’s why, as president of the Student Government Association (SGA), Ronen dedicates himself to making the entire student experience—both in the curriculum and around the island—a positive one.

Here’s how he and his team do it.

THE SGA ADVOCATES FOR THE STUDENT BODYFrom health and environmental inquiries to intramural sports, island living issues, and curriculum questions, SGA’s goal is to facilitate tangible change on campus. “The students elect us to be a reflection of their voice,” says Ronen. “They put their trust in us.”

As president, Ronen oversees 18 executive board members, who each oversee sub-representatives—the result is about 60 total students active in SGA. Additionally, he meets regularly with RUSM administration both on campus and via video conferencing. “We are constantly looking for ways to enrich the student experience here, while keeping it ‘island unique’ with some modern advancements,” he adds.

PROJECTS RUN THE GAMUT FROM TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES TO NEW CONSTRUCTION “I have learned that not all success comes with pomp and circumstance,” says Ronen. “As long as we take initiatives, are persistent in our efforts, and remain confident in our ability to complete the tasks at hand, the contributions that we make to the RUSM community will have value.”

Here are some of the SGA’s latest accomplishments: • Upping sustainability efforts: Working

with Dominica Waste Management, SGA has successfully enhanced the campus’ recycling practices—and is working to keep the grounds tobacco-free.

• Enhancing Jenner Field: “Seating space has been a problem for a long time,” says Ronen. So SGA recently advocated for the purchase and installation of bleachers for Jenner Field, where students can safely watch their colleagues play in sporting events throughout the semester. SGA also worked with the director of facilities to bring local sand onto the field to fill the

areas that become saturated with rain water after big storms. This keeps the field safer for ongoing use.

• Enhancing the gym: Leaving student identification cards at the front desk is a hassle. That’s why SGA lobbied for the gym to upgrade to an ID scanning system. Now, students need only scan in to access the amenities. SGA also made sure the gym started stocking hand towels, and negotiated a contract with a local laundromat to wash and dry the soiled towels on a weekly basis.

RONEN’S MESSAGE TO ALUMNI: GET INVOLVED!Though SGA does not currently work with alumni, Ronen hopes some may consider stepping in to enrich the student experience. “Those who came before us know what RUSM was like before we got here, and we are here now watching the campus grow and develop,” he says. “It would be beneficial for SGA to know what has been done before, so as to focus our efforts where they will have maximum benefit for the current students on the island. We would welcome alumni involvement in SGA.” n

profile: student

Association president Josh Ronen fills us in on the organization’s goals, projects, and hopes for the future.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT…

THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION


ALUMNI CHEER ON BRONX BOMBERS AT INAUGURAL ALUMNI APPRECIATION EVENT Four decades of Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) alumni descended on Yankee Stadium on September 4th for the annual RUSM Alumni Appreciation Event. From a luxury club suite, they enjoyed food and beverages as the Bronx Bombers took on the Boston Red Sox.

“To see so many of our alumni here today is truly wonderful,” said Stephen DeSalvo, Director of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations. “Alumni are extremely valuable in shaping the careers and lives of our students, and we are very grateful to have their support. This is just one way we can thank them for their efforts.”

Alumni Appreciation Events are held each year to recognize and celebrate select RUSM alumni who stay involved, give back, and inspire students. As a token of thanks, each alumnus/a left the game with a gift bag that included a RUSM branded baseball, sweatshirt blanket, and stadium tote. n

alumni eventsRUSM MATCH DAY: MARCH 2015 The day all their hard work pays off. The day they find out where they’ll begin their careers as licensed physicians: Match Day.

Celebrations were held in Miami, New York, and Chicago on March 21 to applaud the achievements of Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) graduates who matched into residency programs this year.

Dean and Chancellor Joseph Flaherty, MD, was in attendance in Miami, and his cabinet members were dispersed throughout all three locations—all of which drew throngs of students, graduates, and guests.

The festivities in all three cities were linked electronically by video, allowing guests to interact with one another from hundreds of miles away.

“It was truly heartwarming to share in this joyous moment with hundreds of happy graduates, friends, family, and RUSM colleagues,” said Dean Flaherty.

Anil Rathi, who matched in internal medicine (categorical) at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, said that he was excited to be headed to NY.

“RUSM prepared me well,” he added. Yeissen and Linda Godinez were successful

in attaining residencies through the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP) couples’ match, both in internal medicine. Yeissen matched at Kendall Regional, while Linda matched at Cleveland Clinic Florida.

The couple met in Miami before deciding to enroll in RUSM together. Yeissen said they were happy that they “get to stay home” to do their residencies.

Christie Cherian matched in pediatrics at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Chattanooga.

“I’m super excited,” she said. “All the years of hard work really paid off.” n

CHIC

AGO

MIR

AMAR


RUSM ENROLLMENT EVENTS We invite you to share your experiences with RUSM prospective students at one of our Information Seminars or Connection Events this fall!

Information Seminars are a wonderful way to introduce prospective students to RUSM and the level of education we provide. These seminars also allow us to create a comfortable atmosphere where a wide variety of topics about RUSM can be discussed and many different questions can be answered. Not just a time to discuss academics and curriculum, each Information Seminar is a time for prospective students to learn, firsthand about life in Dominica from you, our alumni!

Connection Events are celebratory cocktail receptions for newly enrolled students. These events provide students the opportunity to meet fellow classmates and alumni from their area before beginning their journey as members of the RUSM community.

Information SeminarSeptember 12 New York, NYSeptember 19 Washington, DCSeptember 19 Chicago, ILSeptember 26 Toronto, ONSeptember 26 Dallas, TXSeptember 26 Los Angeles, CASeptember 27 Irvine, CAOctober 3 Miramar, FLOctober 10 San Juan, PROctober 17 Tampa, FLOctober 17 Ottawa, ONOctober 24 San Diego, CAOctober 24 Pontiac, MIOctober 24 Savannah, GAOctober 29 New Brunswick, NJNovember 7 Vancouver, BCNovember 7 San Francisco, CANovember 7 Columbus, OHNovember 14 Charlotte, NCNovember 14 San Antonio, TXNovember 14 Montreal, QC

New Student Connection EventAugust 1 Chicago, ILAugust 1 Orlando, FLAugust 1 Irvine, CAAugust 1 Dallas, TXAugust 8 New York, NYAugust 8 Toronto, ONOctober 10 San Juan, PRDecember 5 Los Angeles, CADecember 5 Toronto, CADecember 5 Chicago, IL December 5 New York City, NYDecember 5 Dallas, TX

Your insight and experiences are invaluable to prospective students and they are eager to hear from our living legacies. As alumni, you are essential parts of the RUSM family and vital to our continued success.

If you are interested in speaking at any of these events, please email Mary Nguyen at [email protected]. She will confirm your participation and provide you with additional information on the information seminar.

Interested in sharing your experiences with RUSM prospective students?


class notes

1980sHILLEL K AHANE, MD, FCAP, FACPE, ‘86Dr. Kahane is a pathologist specializing in uropathology and has been the Medical Director at Bostwick Laboratories for the past eight years. He recently co-published an article in the Annals of Diagnostic Pathology.

LOU GILLERAN, MD, MPH, MSHS, FACPM, ‘87Dr. Gilleran was selected as a Fellow, Aerospace Medical Association at the Annual Scientific Meeting in San Diego May 2014. Navy Captain Gilleran was a recent Past President of the Society of US Naval Flight Surgeons and recipient of the Sony Carter Award for Excellence in Aeromedical Teamwork. After 25 years of service as a Naval Flight Surgeon, he continues his energetic involvement in clinical, leadership, and research endeavors, having recently returned from Afghanistan where he served as Officer in Charge of a Joint Medical Research project, “PTSD Biomarkers”.

1990sBENJAMIN G. CAMERANSI, JR., MD, DABA, ‘95Cameransi is currently completing an anesthesia residency at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA. In addition to a successful clinical career as a Medical Director of Anesthesia in large community hospitals in SC and GA, he co-founded a specialty pharma company in 1999 in Richmond, VA; Lyotropic Therapeutics. He had served as VP of Business Development and VP and Chief, Medical Affairs in

developing vastly improved and clinically safer anesthetic agents with a novel drug delivery system, LyoCell. Together after 11 years of development with his team, they licensed Ryanodex to Eagle in November 2008. He continued to support the pre-clinical, clinical, and regulatory efforts that have resulted in the approval of this breakthrough development. He is involved in ongoing projects to support the use of Ryanodex for the treatment of various life threatening cardiac dysrhythmias, in addition to the FDA-granted Orphan Indication for the treatment of heat stroke.

2000sOMAR H. LLAGUNA, MD, ‘04Dr. Llaguna is a surgical oncologist at Baptist Health Medical Group General Surgery. He is the first person in South Florida to perform the robotic whipple procedure. He also has a 2-year-old daughter named Carolina, and is expecting his second child in January 2015

PATRICK MACMILLAN, MD, ‘04Dr. Macmillan currently works for East Tennessee State University as an Associate Professor and Clerkship Director. In September 2015 he will be taking a job at the University of California San Francisco (Fresno Campus) as the Director of Palliative Care.

SARIT HOVAV, MD, ‘06After leaving RUSM, Dr. Hovav went on to complete an internal medicine residency at Beth Israel Medical Center and a postdoctoral scholarship fellow at UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience studying

brain stimulation and neuroimaging in mental illness. After three years, he then worked as a Director of Neuromodulation. Since then he went back into residency and is currently a third-year psychiatry resident. He has published several publications in peer-reviewed journals, given several presentations, had a regional position at the APA, is the newsletter editor for the Nebraska Psychiatric Society, and had grants to run research. His biggest pride and joy is his two beautiful children, Almog (11-year-old son) and Maayan (8-year-old daughter) who have given his life meaning and given him nothing but joy and pride.

SELAMAWIT NEGUSSE, MD, ‘06Dr. Negusse is currently a medical director of a cancer center at Eastar Health Systems specializing in radiation oncology.

NEHA BHASIN, MD, ‘07Upon graduation, Dr. Bhasin specialized in pediatric hematology oncology and eventually became Assistant Professor and Pediatric Hemophilia Director at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

FILLIPPO CHILLEMI, MD, ‘07Dr. Chillemi recently started a sports orthopedic fellowship at the Andrew Institute for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Dr. Chillemi left RUSM with a fiancé, MaryLynn Epsten, MD, ‘09. They married during their residencies and have a young daughter and son, Eliana and Francesco.

NICOLE SAPHIER, MD, ‘08 Dr. Nicole Saphier is a board-certified radiologist and a native of Scottsdale, AZ. Following completion of a specialized women’s oncologic imaging fellowship at the prestigious Mayo Clinic, Dr. Saphier thrust herself into the political realm of medicine by becoming the only physician champion of the Arizona State Breast Density Notification Law. Dr. Saphier recently passed the Breast Density Legislation in AZ with the help of a local senator. This bill will require healthcare providers to tell women if they have dense breast tissue and will ultimately allow women to make the most informed decision possible when screening for breast cancer, and likely save many lives. In addition to holding a seat on the Radiological Society of New Jersey’s Executive Committee and legislative subcommittee, Dr. Saphier was appointed to the New Jersey Department of Health Breast Imaging Work Group. Nicole also sits on the Board of Health and Joint Municipal Alliance in her local area of Morris Township, New Jersey.

ZAID BRIFK ANI, MD, ‘08Dr. Brifkani recently completed a nephrology fellowship at the University of Florida-Jacksonville and is now in the process of graduating from Washington University in St. Louis with a fellowship in renal transplant. He is currently working on a publication submission on a research project regarding induction and maintenance immunosuppression in a specific cohor of kidney transplant recipients between our center (Barnes Jewish Hospital) and the national US transplant population data.

2010sGREGORY MICHAEL REYES, MD, ‘10Dr. Gregory Michael Reyes (‘10) met his wife Ji Hyun Lee (‘10) at RUSM, and got married on May 25 2012 in Lanai, HI. She finished her internal medicine residency at Albany Medical Center where she served as chief resident, and is now a second year fellow in cardiovascular medicine at SUNY Downstate. Gregory recently finished his residency in family medicine at ProMedica Toledo Hospital where he was chief resident. He just joined his father and brother in private practice in Glen Cove, NY. Together they have a beautiful 8-month-old daughter named Stella.

SOFIAN AL KHATIB, MD, ‘10 After graduation Dr. Al-Khatib completed an internal medicine residency in Arizona working with Dr. Richard Carlson (considered the father of critical care) and published: Toxigenic and Metabolic Causes of Ketosis and Ketoacidotic Syndromes in the Critical Care Journal. He then moved to Atlanta for a nephrology fellowship at Emory University and became chief nephrology fellow. He wrote a case writeup that has been accepted for publication in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology and coined the term neuro-renal syndromes. The manuscript about that case and other cases of neuro-renal syndromes is underway. He is now applying for a critical care fellowship to start this year. Besides neuro renal syndromes and critical care nephrology, he studies the nutrition in ICU patients, specifically those ones on CRRT and affects of morbidity and mortality. In Atlanta, Sofian met his now fiancé.

MICHAEL CHALIFOUX, MD, ‘10 Upon graduation, Dr. Chalifoux matched into general surgery at Stony Brook University Hospital in New York and completed his intern year there 2010–2011. He then took a research fellowship in anesthesia at UPenn from 2011–2013. He began as a CA-1 resident in July of 2013. As a result of his research experience he was published in December 2014 in the Journal of Neuroscience. The article was titled A2 adrenergic stimulation of the ventrolateral preoptic nucleus destablizes the anesthetic state. This July he will be in his final year (CA-3) of completing an anesthesiology residency at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

DARIO MARTINEZ. MD, ‘11In 2007, Dr. Martinez was diagnosed with leukemia, while in her second year at RUSM, but shortly after the diagnosis she exhausted all her health benefits. Students and faculty came together and really showed how much they cared by supporting her financially, emotionally and spiritually. Their support was fundamental in Dr. Martinez’s recovery. She went back to RUSM in 2010 and graduated with high honors in 2011. She has just completed an internal medicine residency at the Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati and started her first job in July of 2014.

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ADAM MACARTHUR NOYES, MD, ‘11Dr. Adam MacArthur Noyes has won several awards including:Awards: The Maxwell O. Phelps M.D. Award: “High achievements in academic scholarship.” Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine; 2013–2014Intern of the Year: Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine; 2011–2012Highest Honors: Ross University School of Medicine; 2007–2011. AMANDA LIGGETT, MD, ‘12 In 2010, while a student at RUSM, Dr. Liggett met her husband, John Thurston, (’11). The two married in April 2013.

BRITTANY BANKHEAD-KENDALL, MD, ‘13 Dr. Bankhead-Kendall graduated from RUSM in 2013. She has always wanted to be a surgeon and the path she has taken to get there has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her journey towards finally making it to a categorical general surgery spot has not only involved the usual moving back and forth during medical school, but also being pregnant and giving birth to their son during their 3rd and 4th year of medical school, living in Dallas by herself with her son while she did a surgery prelim year, while Brian (her husband) was in New York for his residency (he was eventually able to transfer to a residency in Dallas), and now being away from her son and Brian, after matching to a categorical spot at a program in Pontiac, MI.

Seeking a new career, Brandee Pemberton, RN, joined Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) this year receiving the Alumni Legacy scholarship award. Pemberton was nominated by RUSM alumnus Kolby E. Voight, MD, (’11) who is a family medicine physician at Texan Urgent Care in Austin, TX.

“I have known Brandee since 1995, we’ve attended elementary, junior high and high school together,” said Dr. Voight. “From a young age, she exhibited leadership skills, discipline and dedication to academics. Her continued focus and perseverance lead her to become high school valedictorian.”

Pemberton went on to obtain a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2006.

While working eight years in intensive care units throughout Texas, Pemberton gained invaluable experiences. On one of her nursing assignments, Pemberton was recognized for noticing signs of “imminent respiratory failure and was instrumental in facilitating an emergent intubation.”

According to Dr. Voight, it’s Brandee’s meaningful exposure to the medical field that has positioned her for a rich experience at RUSM. “While volunteering alongside Brandee, she not only demonstrated her comfort and competence in medicine, she exhibited her true compassion for people. Stepping into medical school with her background clinical experience and intrinsic benevolent attitude will contribute to her success.”

Pemberton’s pursuit of a medical career can be traced back to when four friends were in a tragic automobile accident caused by a drunk driver. A teenager, Pemberton remained at the bedside of two of her friends who survived the crash. Extremely appreciative and impressed with the medical team who provided care, she was left with an indelible impact on her perspective of medicine.

“I had learned my first lesson in medicine,” says Pemberton. “After watching many grueling days of the medical personnel placing my best friends’ lives in front of their own, medicine does not always prevail. That was a pivotal experience that confirmed my decision to pursue medicine as a career.”

Pemberton has received a number of accolades throughout her undergraduate career, including the Dean’s List at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Also, she was voted by UTSA’s Physics and Biochemistry department to participate in the Supplemental Student Instructor Program. n

Alumni Legacy Scholarship Helped Student Begin New Career Path in Medicine


RUSM Social MediaJoin our social networks to stay informed on the latest RUSM news, learn about Alumni Events and Opportunities in your area and jump start your professional career!

Wondering what your classmates are up to now? Like us on Facebook to reconnect with your classmates, share your significant event photos, and share your success stories. Facebook.com/RUSMalumni

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Visit the RUSM Flickr page to view images from all past alumni events and receptions. Flickr.com/RUSMalumni

KEEPING UP WITH YOUR SUCCESSAfter graduation from Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM), you became part of a network of nearly 12,000 physicians, but your story is unique. RUSM is proud of each and every one of you, and want to know what you’ve been up to since then. We may showcase your wonderful accomplishments in a feature on our blog!

Here’s your opportunity to tell us about the kind of physician you turned out to be. Interested? Contact Lynly Jeanlouis at [email protected] for more information!

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION.

STAY CONNECTED.

STEPHEN KUPERBERG, MD ’09Internal Medicine Physician

RUSM UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR

AUGUST

August 1 Irvine, CA Connection Event

Orlando, FL Connection Event

Chicago, IL Connection Event

Dallas, TX Connection Event

August 8 New York, NY Connection Event

Toronto, ON Connection Event

SEPTEMBER

September 11 White Coat Ceremony

September 12 New York, NY Information Seminar

September 19 Chicago, IL Information Seminars

Washington, DC Information Seminars

September 26 RUSM Alumni Appreciation Luxury Yacht Dinner Cruise: Miami

Dallas, TX Information Seminar

Los Angeles, CA Information Seminar

Toronto, ON Information Seminar

September 27 Irvine, CA Information Seminar


OCTOBER

October 3 Miramar, FL Clinical Experience

October 6 RUSM Chicago Alumni Regional Chapter Event (ACS Conference)

October 10 San Juan, PR Information Seminar

October 17 Ottawa, ON Information Seminar

Tampa, FL Information Seminar

October 24 Pontiac, MI Clinical Experience

San Diego, CA Information Seminar

October 25 Washington, DC Regional Alumni Chapter Event

October 26 RUSM Washington, DC Alumni Regional Chapter Event (AAP Conference)

October 29 New Brunswick, NJ Information Seminar

NOVEMBER

November 7 Columbus, OH Information Seminar

San Francisco, CA Information Seminar

Vancouver, BC Information Seminar

November 14 Charlotte, NC Information Seminar

Montreal, QC Information Seminar

San Antonio, TX Information Seminar

Your alumni association wants to keep you connected to your friends, former classmates, colleagues, and all those who made your experience here memorable. And when it comes to memories, there’s no better place to start than Dominica—the Caribbean island still referred to as “The Rock” by students and graduates alike. You and others took your first, tentative steps toward the practice of medicine on this quiet, picturesque island. You forged friendships. You earned victories.

No matter where you ultimately ended up, it all started in Dominica. We hope you don’t forget that.

IT ALL STARTED IN DOMINICA

Office of Institutional Advancement & Alumni Relations485 US Highway 1 SouthBuilding B, 4th FloorIselin, NJ 08830

Telephone: 1-855-MDROSSU (855-637-6778)Fax: 732-509-4803Email: [email protected]/medical-school

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SAVE THE DATEALUMNI YACHT PARTY – MIAMISEPTEMBER 26TH 2015

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©2015 Ross University School of Medicine. All rights reserved.

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