Family Day - October 3, 2009
By Jane Reilly

Dr. David Seiden (pictured), Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and Dr. Peter Amenta, Dean of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, welcomed nearly 150 parents and families of the RWJMS Class of 2013 to the annual Family Day, sponsored the Office of Student Affairs.  The attendees were treated to a morning of good food and information, led off by Dr. David Swee, Associate Dean of Education, who talked about the curriculum and Dr. Carol Terregino M.D., Associate Dean for Admissions, who discussed the make-up of the incoming class.  Dr. Sonia Garcia Laumbach, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and Dr. Norma Saks, Assistant Dean for Educational Programs, discussed the programs that RWJMS has in place to help students handle the stress and academic demands of medical school.   Other speakers – Dr. James Walker, Student Wellness; Marshall Anthony, Campus Director of Financial Aid; and Patty Infantino, Co-Chair, Association of Families and Friends – talked about the support their organizations provide students.

The second-half of the program was dedicated to the curriculum.  Each of the first year course directors gave a brief explanation of their programs and answered questions from the audience.  Special thanks to: Dr. Terregino, Patient-Centered Medicine; Michael Newton, PhD, Microiology and Immunology; Nancy Hayes PhD, Neuroscience; Emine Abali, PhD, Biochemistry; Hary Grover, PhD, Medical Physiology; Michael Gochfeld, MD, PhD, Epidemiology, Statistics & Prevention; Dr. Seiden, Gross & Developmental Anatomy; and Frank Wilson, PhD, Cellular & Genetic Mechanisms and Systems Histology.

After a break with still more bagels, muffins, fresh fruit and coffee, the attendees were taken on tours of the medical school, led by second-year peer group mentors.  The Association of Families and Friends' Stitches had a very successful day selling RWJMS-logo merchandise to the parents and students of the Class of 2013.

Family Day - February 7, 2009
(For Parents of Rising Third Year students) 

By Lou Penn

On February 7, 2009, parents of current second year students attended the Family Day Clinical Orientation held at the CAB.  The event provided an overview of the third and fourth year programs detailing clerkships and the requirements associated with each of them.  Presentations were made by faculty, followed by a question and answer period.  RWJMS students David Chen, MS III, and Amy Chao, MS IV, who are now going through their 3rd year rotations, described their experiences.  It was made clear that free time for the students was in short supply and that they would be kept extremely busy.

Also apparent was the dedication of the faculty and the great pride they take in managing their students’ education as well as guiding their welfare to ensure well-rounded doctors.  During the presentation, it was stated that there is a “Rainbow of Medicine” for these students, and the pot of gold is RWJMS.

We extend warm thanks to all the presenters: Drs Rosenthal, Amenta, Swee, Lin, Walker, Pradhan, Dickson, Tobia, Mr. Daniel Ostin and the Association of Families and Friends Co-Chair Patricia Infantino - a great job by dedicated individuals.