Family Day - October 9, 2010
By Donna Friedman

Family Day for the families of the class of 2014 was held on Saturday, October 9, 2010 in the Great Hall of RWJMS, Piscataway.  Upon arriving, family members and students enjoyed coffee, bagels and danish, and the chance to mingle with each other and faculty members.  The Association of Family and Friends’ Stitches had RWJMS merchandise on display and for sale throughout the day.

Dr. David Seiden, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, kicked off the first set of lectures welcoming all attendees and sharing some of the ups and downs experienced by the students during their first two months.  He presented his view of the “rollercoaster” of emotions that the first year students will experience during the year in order to give attendees an appreciation for the amount of work and level of stress that medical students face.

Dr. Peter Amenta, Dean of RWJMS, acknowledged the parents for their part in creating a student class full of enthusiasm and passion for medicine.  He also stressed the fact that the time goes very quickly from first year, to rotations, to residency match, to convocation. We all need to take the time to enjoy it.

Dr. Carol Terregino, Chair of the ALAE Subcommittee, presented the new curriculum.  In addition to learning the systems of the body, students are learning how to work effectively in teams, the importance of self-assessment for achieving self-improvement, and the fact that a medical career involves continuous learning.

Presentations from the various student services offices were also given by representative faculty members. Dr. Maris Cutting described the Cognitive Skills offerings which include time management, study priorities, note taking methods and management of learning resources.  Dr. James Walker presented the Student Counseling Service offerings which include counseling for managing stress and any personal issues that a student may face.  Marshall Anthony presented the Student Financial Aid offerings which included the types of financial aid available.  Jane Reilly, co-chair of the Association of Family and Friends, discussed the support their organization provides to students through the funds raised by merchandise sales and donations.

After a short break, the second set of lectures began with details on each of the curriculum blocks.  Dr. Terregino presented Patient Centered Medicine, Dr. Emine Abali presented Foundations of Biomedical Science, Dr. Rob Zachow presented Systems and Dr. David Seiden presented Disease and Defense. Upon conclusion of the lectures, attendees split into small groups and were given a tour of the facilities by second year students.

Thanks to all of the presenters, organizers and attendees for making this day a very informative and enjoyable event.

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.