As 2014 draws to a close, everyone at Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) is taking the time to reflect on our students’ and graduates’ accomplishments. This year, our institution placed more than 800 students into US residencies, more than any other medical school in the world. And, for the fourth year in a row, our students achieved the same first-time pass rate on Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination as their US and Canadian peers (calendar year 2014).

In the video below, Dean Flaherty highlights these wins, as well as advancements in student support services, the redesign of our clinical skills curriculum, the addition of more high-quality clinical rotation opportunities, and other achievements.

New medical students at Ross University School of Medicine will become doctors-in-training at the traditional White Coat Ceremony on Friday, January 16, streamed live on the Internet for the viewing pleasure of family and friends beginning at 1:30 p.m. UTC (12:30 p.m. EST) with the ceremony starting at 2 p.m. UTC (1 p.m. ET).

Keynote speaker Vedvati Patel, MD

The event’s keynote speaker, RUSM alumna Dr. Vedvati Patel (RUSM ‘06) is in private practice in Chicago and teaches internal medicine at St. Anthony Hospital, where RUSM students, among others, are completing their rotations. 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 can only speak from my own experiences. Over the course of my journey of becoming a physician, not only have I learned the medical knowledge, but I have also, grown to be more kind, compassionate, and patient. It doesn't matter where you learn medicine, what is important is that you care for the sick, and hold yourselves to highest of standards even in most challenging of times and that is the true test of how good of a doctor you are…Remember that you are being taught by some of the best and the brightest in the field of medicine. I challenge you to work hard in order to achieve your goals.”

Click here to view the webcast. Please note that the stream will not be available until 1:30 p.m. UTC (12:30 p.m. ET).

A Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) graduate recently earned the top medical spot at a California-based nonprofit hospice agency, according to published reports.

Centi Younan, MD, RUSM Class of 1998, will serve as Medical Director for Community Hospice, a Modesto, California-based nonprofit agency founded in 1978 that provides palliative care and support, including charity care, for terminally ill patients.

“Dr. Younan comes to us with extensive education, training and leadership that fully supports our mission of providing compassionate and quality care to the patients and families we serve,” said C. DeSha McLeod, president and chief executive officer for Community Hospice, in a press release.

Before joining Community Hospice, Dr. Younan was a hospitalist at Sutter Memorial Medical Center, Modesto, and was appointed co-medical director of the palliative care department there in 2010. She completed an internship (internal medicine) at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Stamford Hospital, and completed her residency training at UCLA School of Medicine, Kern Medical Center. She also has received training in palliative and end-of-life care.

Dr. Younan is board certified in internal medicine, and is a board-certified Diplomate in hospice and palliative care.

Want to read more about our alumni? Recently, we profiled the Chillemi brothers, two siblings who attended RUSM. Now, one's a nephrologist and the other an orthopedic surgeon. Check out their RUSM stories here.

Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) provides clinical education and training through a network of renowned U.S. teaching hospitals. RUSM partners with institutions that have a strong track record of quality patient care, community service, and U.S.-standard medical education. RUSM aims to maintain a geographically diverse clinical network aligned with the student population, with primary focus on quality over quantity. RUSM’s clinical program constitutes more than half of a student’s medical education, so RUSM is committed to providing clinical experiences that are consistent across sites, with healthcare institutions that meet RUSM’s standards for excellence.

At a Glance: A Leading Michigan Teaching Hospital

Established in 1927, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland (SJMO) is a long-time healthcare provider in Oakland County. A 443-bed comprehensive community and teaching hospital, SJMO is ranked in the top five percent of hospitals across the nation for clinical excellence and women’s health, and has earned a position among the top 50 US cardiovascular programs. It has also been recognized as a leader in patient safety and quality, palliative care, pulmonology, and various forms of orthopedic surgery, including knee and hip procedures, joint replacement, and spine surgery. Explore SJMO’s recent quality awards here.

Recently, SJMO was verified as a Level II Trauma Center, a designation reflecting the hospital’s commitment to the highest levels of clinical quality care to seriously injured patients. Staffed by board-certified emergency medicine physicians, the hospital’s Emergency Department sees a yearly average of 52,000 visits. Other hospital features include a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to care for prematurely born or otherwise high-risk infants, a nationally recognized and accredited Cancer Center, a Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, and a dedicated Joint Care Center.

Medical Education at SJMO

Medical education is central to the mission of SJMO. It is approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to offer residency training in internal medicine, general surgery, radiology, transitional year, and a fellowship in cardiology. More information on medical education at SJMO can be found here.

Highly Advanced Technology

SJMO relies on high-tech, advanced technology to deliver even better healthcare. This includes:

Robotic surgery via the innovative da Vinci® Surgical System. Surgeons at SJMO are able to use this technology to make smaller, more precise incisions during surgical procedures, simply by manipulating controls on the robot. The surgeon remains in control for the entire time.

Through telemedicine, SJMO—the home of the state’s first certified Primary Stroke Center— changed the Michigan landscape of stroke care by creating the Michigan Stroke Network, a network of hospitals that collaborates via telecommunications and information technology to deliver stroke diagnoses and treatment options, even when the patient is far away from the hospital.

SJMO features a highly advanced Simulation Lab, plus a new South Patient Tower that gives clinical staff access to high-tech, patient-centered technologies.

*Please visit this page for detailed information about SJMO’s quality awards.

It's a refrain perhaps common to many physicians: As a medical school student in the early 1980s, Robert Sasso didn't know what kind of doctor he wanted to be. He credits the clinical stage of his medical education—particularly his surgery rotation—as being key to him figuring it out.

"When I started scrubbing in for cases, I was hooked," Dr. Sasso says. "Operating was amazing. I remember thinking 'You can cure these people. You can take away their disease and pain.' At that point, I was in."

Dr. Sasso, now an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Medicine at Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM), ultimately decided to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology. There was something fascinating to him about the science surrounding that field—the different methodologies and processes. Plus, it helped him provide continuity of care, maintaining a balance between seeing patients in the office and treating them in the operating room.

The Epitome of His Career

Dr. Sasso graduated college from Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, as valedictorian (for the second time—he was also valedictorian of his high school class). He earned his medical degree from Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, and completed an OB/GYN internship and residency at University of Utah Medical Center, followed by a one-year fellowship in reproductive surgery and infertility at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL.

His medical career in the US spanned two decades—including a stint as Adjunct Assistant Professor at Dartmouth Medical Center, Lebanon, NH—capped off by him establishing an infertility/IVF center in South Portland, Maine, in 2010. "I truly felt like that was the epitome of what I could achieve as a non-reproductive endocrinologist," he says.

An Inspiring Mission at RUSM

Dr. Sasso grew interested in teaching, and started searching for positions. Though he could have likely secured a teaching job in the US, Dr. Sasso came across an open position at RUSM in the Department of Clinical Medicine. He found the institution's mission to be an inspiring one, and joined RUSM as an Associate Professor in March 2012.

"RUSM is helping to train a whole new generation of physicians," he says—something he understands is a big responsibility. It's also one that he takes very seriously. "I'm taking what I've learned over my entire career and trying to inculcate that into the students," he says. "It's not just about knowledge—it's also about how to act like a physician, and how to be ethical."

Clearly, his students appreciate his efforts. At the 2014 RUSM Leadership Conference, held in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Dr. Sasso was presented with the Golden Stethoscope Award, a student's choice award for clinical teaching. "That's the best part of my job, honestly—when I get to hear a 'thank you' from the students," he says. "That's why the Golden Stethoscope is so rewarding: It comes directly from them."

Dr. Sasso currently chairs the school's Faculty Senate and is Director of Medical Simulation in the Department of Clinical Medicine. He is also Vice Chairman of the Admissions Committee, a member of the Institutional Review Board Committee, and is advisor for both the RUSM OB/GYN club and the Public Health Club.

He has authored numerous journal articles and book chapters on both basic science research concepts and reproductive surgery. Currently, Dr. Sasso is actively involved in developing high-level educational research at RUSM. His goal is to produce publishable research that will be pertinent and useful to current and future students alike.

It was an exciting year on the Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) Dominica campus -- three productive semesters, packed with academics and activities to enhance the learning environment and the student experience. Here are just a few of the highlights of 2014.

The White Coat Ceremony: A Rite of Passage for RUSM Students

Each semester’s new cohort of students attends the White Coat Ceremony, a rite of passing marking the beginning of their medical education. Traditionally, RUSM alumni return to Dominica to address the new students, share their experiences, and provide sage advice.

In January, RUSM alumna Sherri D. Onyiego, MD, PhD, (RUSM 2005) delivered the keynote address. Dr. Onyiego is Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, and Medical Director of the San Jose Clinic in Houston, Texas. She is also a provider for Harris Health System's Thomas Street Health Center, a  comprehensive HIV/AIDS clinic.

In May, the keynote speaker was Cheau Williams, MD, MS (RUSM 2006) who was accompanied by his wife, RUSM alumna Dr. Betty Koukis, whom he met while both were medical students in Dominica.

Dr. Williams is the director of urogynecology and female pelvic reconstructive surgery at Colquitt Regional Medical Center in Moultrie, GA.

September’s guest speaker was Jenny Han, MD (RUSM 2005). She is a pulmonary and critical care specialist who is currently the director at Grady Memorial Outpatient Pulmonary Clinic in Atlanta, GA. She is also an assistant professor at Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Han is married to Nazario Villasenor, MD, an anesthesiologist who is also an RUSM graduate.

 Research Day Events Showcase Advances in Medical Knowledge

Three Research Day events are held annually on RUSM’s Dominica campus to showcase advances in medical knowledge and provide students with exposure to research methods and projects. The 50th Research Day symposium was held in January and was dedicated to the event’s founder, Dr. Gerald Grell, RUSM’s dean for clinical and community affairs. Chaired by Dr. Paul Ricketts, it was titled “The Heart of Medicine” and featured three internationally recognized speakers: Dr. Dale Abel (University of Iowa), Dr. Laurence Sperling (Emory University), and Dr. Rainford Wilks (University of West Indies).

The timely topic of “Developing Medications to Treat Addiction: Challenges for Science and Practice” was the focus of the 51st Research Day at RUSM in May. It was directed by research committee vice-chair Dr. S.J. White, and organized by Dr. Vicki Coffin. The presenters were Dr. Peter Kalivas, Distinguished Professor and Founding Chair, Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina; Dr. Kathryn Cunningham, Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology, University of Texas Medical Branch and Director of Center for Addiction Research; and Dr. Lorenzo Leggio, Associate Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Chief of National Institutes of Health Section on Clinical Neuropsychopharmacology.

"Specialized Healthcare: A focus on the LGBT community" was the theme of RUSM’s 52nd Research Day program, held in September. Fourth-semester student G. Travis Wagner organized the event, which focused on best practices in individualized care for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender population. The presenters were Erika Austin, PhD, Health Service Researcher, Birmingham, VA Medical Center, and consultant, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama, Birmingham School of Medicine; Rixt Luikenaar, MD, FACOG, Founder, Rebirth Clinic; Dayne Law, MS, Transgender Program Coordinator, Utah Pride Center; and Steven Jenison, MD, private consultant.

More Safety and Security Enhancements on Campus

Four emergency call boxes were installed on campus in a continuing effort to improve safety and security. The tall, blue call boxes have a blue light on the top which is clearly visible during day and night, and the word “EMERGENCY” in capital letters written vertically along the structure. Plans call for more emergency call boxes to be placed in strategic locations throughout the Picard community. 

New Departmental Chairs

Alan Bateson, PhD was appointed chair of the RUSM Pharmacology department and Sheila Nunn, PhD was appointed chair of the Anatomy department, as of Oct. 1. They had served as interim chairs of their departments from January to September of this year.

Dr. Bateson joined RUSM in September 2011. He currently teaches cardiovascular and renal pharmacology and neuropharmacology and serves as Chair of the Faculty Appointments and Promotions Committee. He is also a member of the Curriculum Committee and the Clinical Curriculum Subcommittee. He was awarded his PhD in 1987 from the University of London (King’s College), UK, in biochemistry and molecular biology. He has published numerous peer-reviewed papers as well as reviews and book chapters, primarily in the area of GABA-A receptor neuropharmacology, and other channels important in cardiovascular function.

Dr. Nunn received her BSc with honors in Microbiology in 1987 from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.  She then studied at The Queen’s University of Belfast where in 1992 she was awarded a PhD in Anatomy.  She then spent two years at RUSM as an Assistant Professor of Anatomy. She returned to the UK in 1995 to become a Lecturer in Anatomy at the University of Leeds, where she was primarily involved in teaching medical students, in addition to carrying out research in the field of Helicobacter pylori. Dr. Nunn relocated full time to RUSM in September 2013, having maintained the role of Visiting Professor of Anatomy since 1995. She has published numerous papers in peer-reviewed journals in the fields of gastrointestinal anatomy and pathology and medical education.

Student Appreciation Dinner, Sports Events, Holiday Celebrations and More

Activities on campus included Dean’s Honor Roll ceremonies, Independence Day and Creole Day celebrations, the student culture show, Student Government Association events, Student Appreciation dinner, the fourth semester banquet, and sports events.

An Education Summit was held in Dominica on Feb. 21-22. Physicians from RUSM’s affiliated teaching hospitals in the US travelled to the campus for a meeting with our Dominica faculty. The Summit’s aim was to explore ways to increase clinical correlations within the basic science education. A future conference will look at ways to integrate basic science teaching into the clinical years. A Residency Fair followed the Education Summit, with about 200 RUSM students taking the opportunity to meet with residency program directors from hospitals throughout the U.S. Dean, Joseph Flaherty, also participated, and held a session to advise students who are interested in a psychiatry residency, while Senior Associate Dean, Dr. Wm Lynn Weaver, was there to offer guidance to those interested in surgery.

The Salybia Mission Project (SMP) 10th anniversary 5K run on April 4 inaugurated the new recommended jogging route of about 1K that was completed on campus. Three security stations along this route will help to ensure that runners stay safe. SMP is a non-profit, non-religious, student-run organization designed to provide meaningful health care to the indigenous peoples of Dominica through student-run health clinics, and more.

New tennis and basketball courts were constructed and opened for play in May. They are well-lit and widely used during the day and after dark.

The inaugural Professionalism Conference was held on May 23 and 24. The first day was geared to students, and the second to faculty. The two nationally renowned speakers were Avarita L. Hanson, JD, Executive Director, Georgia Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism and William Alexander, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia, a wholly owned subsidiary of WellPoint, Inc.

The Annual Ceremony of Thanks was held on December 1st to honor those who have donated their bodies so that RUSM’s students might learn to become physicians. They are the students’ first patients. The ceremony included students’ reflections on their experience of using cadavers as part of their anatomical education, student readings and music, and a dance performed by the Karina Cultural Dance Group. The highlight of the ceremony was the lighting of a candle for each of the 84 donors by those students who had used the donor’s body during anatomy labs. Present at the event were students, faculty and staff, and some Dominican residents who have arranged to donate their bodies to RUSM when they pass away.

Leadership Transitions

There was a transition in leadership on the RUSM Dominica Campus at the end of the year. Senior Associate Dean, Dr. Wm. Lynn Weaver, transitioned into a new role in the US, due to his need to focus on the health of a close family member. He will take on the position of Interim Senior Associate Dean, Clinical Sciences, based in Miramar and overseeing clinical sites. Stan White, PhD, Associate Dean, Center for Teaching and Learning and Professor of Physiology, took on the interim role of Senior Associate Dean, Dominica Campus.
 

Some good news just came out that might be eye-opening for medical school graduates entering or finishing up residency. According to newly released data, a majority of new physicians—more than 6 out of 10 survey respondents—have been getting dozens of job offers during their final year of residency training.

New Medical School Graduates Getting Lots of Job Offers

Per HealthLeaders Media, physician recruiters Merritt Hawkins surveyed physicians completing their final year of residency. Of the 1,208 respondents, more than 60% of these physicians reported receiving 50 or more job offers during their residency. Nearly half—46%—saw 100 or more offers.

“This is outstanding news for medical school students. These survey results confirm what we already knew—that there’s a great demand for physicians in the United States, and that this demand isn’t expected to go away anytime soon,” says Joseph A. Flaherty, MD, Dean and Chancellor of Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM). “I have no doubt that this is encouraging news for the 800+ RUSM graduates who started residency in 2014.”

Report Also Speaks to Salaries, Work-Life Balance

Other takeaways from the survey results include:

• 78% of physicians surveyed expected to earn $176,000 or more in their first year of practice.
• Work/life balance has become increasingly important for physicians. Geographic location, lifestyle, and adequate call coverage/personal time all ranked as the three most important factors when considering practice opportunities.
• Thirty-six percent of respondents indicated that they’d be most open to working for a hospital, followed by partnerships (20%), multi-specialty groups (14%), and single-specialty groups (11%).

Source: HealthLeaders Media

From left: RUSM Vice Dean Peter Goetz; Dean and Chancellor Joseph A. Flaherty; Prime Minister of Dominica, the Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit; and Stanley White, PhD, Interim Senior Associate Dean, Dominica Campus.

The Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit–the Prime Minister of Dominica–and other government representatives donned hard hats and safety vests to tour the construction site of Ross University School of Medicine’s (RUSM) new $18 million ($48.6 million EC) Student Center on January 15, 2015.

“You’re on your way to bringing a U.S. campus feel here,” commented the prime minister. 

And according to Joseph A. Flaherty, MD, Dean and Chancellor or RUSM, that's the idea. "The objective is to have it all–the benefit of being in a beautiful host country, and the convenience of what students want in a university," said the dean.

The 47,500 square-foot, three-story building is built to withstand category 5 hurricanes and the seismic pressures of the region, said Director of Site Development Eddie McDuffie, who led the tour.

“We expect the building to be open at least 20 hours a day,” McDuffie said. “Students study all the time.”

The Student Center will house the following: 

• A dining area and food vendors
• Study space
• A new library and computer lab
• The Center for Teaching and Learning

"This will be a significant enhancement for students on campus," said Stanley White, PhD, Interim Senior Associate Dean, Dominica Campus. "I can't wait for it to open."

Seeking a new career, Brandee Pemberton, RN, joined Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) in January 2015 receiving the Dean’s Academic Merit, Career Advancement and Alumni Legacy scholarship awards.
 

Working eight years in intensive care units (ICU) throughout Texas, Brandee gained invaluable experiences. On one of her nursing assignments, Brandee was recognized for noticing signs of “imminent respiratory failure and was instrumental in facilitating an emergent intubation.” It’s Brandee’s meaningful exposure to the medical field that has positioned her for a rich experience at RUSM.
 

Brandee’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, Brandee 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 Brandee. “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.”
 

Brandee obtained a Bachelor’s of Science degree in nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2006. She also 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.
 

New students from the Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) Class of 2019 officially became physicians-in-training Jan. 16, 2015, at an exciting White Coat Ceremony held on RUSM's Dominica campus. This rite of passage is held for every incoming class at RUSM, and it's an important first step on a medical school student's path to earning a medical degree. 

"All of you have the aptitude to make it in medicine," said Joseph A. Flaherty, MD, RUSM Dean and Chancellor, as he addressed the incoming class. "We want all of you to make it. Medicine is going to be very different than it used to be, but there is tremendous joy left in medicine."

In addition to students and faculty, the event drew prominent government representatives from Dominica—including the country's president, Charles Savarin, and his wife.

A snapshot of the incoming class was presented in remarks by Dr. Paula Wales, RUSM’s Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs. It is a multi-cultural group, its members hailing from many countries, with the majority from the US and Canada. There were cheers when she noted that the largest number had earned their undergraduate degrees at the University of California at Irvine, and more cheering for their alma maters by those who graduated from the two schools tied for second place, Florida International University and Rutgers University. A large number came from various health professions, as pharmacists, dental assistants, and more.

The event’s keynote speaker, RUSM alumna Vedvati Patel, MD (RUSM ‘06), is in private practice in Chicago and teaches internal medicine at St. Anthony Hospital, where RUSM students, among others, are completing their rotations. 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.

An introduction to the medical profession was presented by RUSM’s Dr. Nancy Selfridge, Chair of the Department of Clinical Medicine. “Today is the last day you’ll wear your white coat for celebration,” she told the physicians in training. “After today, white coats are work clothes.”

Updated 2/2015: The vaccination debate continues to make headlines in world news, with some United States politicians even weighing in on the issue. Curious about where Ross University School of Medicine's (RUSM) dean stands on this topic? Check out the blog post below to find out. 

By Joseph A. Flaherty, MD
Dean and Chancellor, Ross University School of Medicine

We are in real danger in this country of having a generation of children and young adults who are not benefiting from vaccines that have been developed over the last 100 years. Lethal diseases such as diphtheria, pertussis and chickenpox could make a comeback in today’s climate of peculiar health ideas, Hollywood celebrities acting as if they are medical experts, and a proliferation of misinformation on the Internet. 

While I was in medical school, in 1969, there was a large outbreak of diphtheria in Chicago, and I and many other medical students spent long hours on the west side of the city, vaccinating children. I don’t think that any of us could have imagined that in the year 2014, we would be seeing the resurgence of diseases that had been declared eradicated and eliminated.

Measles is one example. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), not only has measles made a comeback in the U.S., but large outbreaks have occurred in the past few years. Between January 1 and May 23, 2014, a total of 288 confirmed cases were reported to the CDC.* This exceeds the highest reported yearly total of measles cases since elimination. The CDC found that in the three largest outbreaks of 2014, transmission occurred after measles was introduced into communities “with pockets of persons who were unvaccinated because of philosophical or religious beliefs.” The CDC emphasized the need for healthcare providers to heighten awareness of the need for vaccination to prevent measles. 

The biggest setbacks to vaccination in the past 30 years have been the understandable concerns of parents of children on the autism spectrum. Scientists have thoroughly explored this and have found, beyond any doubt, that vaccines and their ingredients are not linked in any way to autism.

The role of the physician is increasingly one of providing community awareness and education. He or she has to understand the anxieties that parents may have, and that the facts may not always be convincing. Physicians have to get the message out that vaccines are essential for prevention and care. It is imperative for physicians to form partnerships with patients and to work with people who hold different beliefs, in order to assure that all children are vaccinated against deadly diseases.

*Source: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6322a4.htm

Valentino Baldeo desires to be a physician for one reason: to heal. “I’m not persuaded by money or prestige,” says Valentino.
 

His deep desire to heal was developed after experiencing several close relatives battle with physical and mental illnesses – including prostate cancer, breast cancer, suicide attempt and inoperable pulmonary emboli.
 

Influenced by his father, Valentino decided to pursue a medical degree at Ross University School of Medicine. His father, a pediatric neurologist, graduated from RUSM in 2003 and is a member of the university’s clinical faculty at South Nassau Hospital in New York.

“I’ve watched my father and have seen the care he displays with patients. He seemingly heals those he touches – it’s awe-inspiring,” says Valentino. “I don’t want to walk in his footsteps. I want to walk alongside him, able to do everything I can for those who need help.”

Valentino received the Community Health Leadership Award largely due to his volunteer work. He worked alongside a Child Life Specialist in the emergency room at Winthrop University Hospital. Assisting his father, he aided in examining patients at Skeldon Hospital and an orphanage - both in Guyana. Also, Valentino helped register Spanish-speaking patients at Martin Luther King, Jr. Health Center in Wyandanch, NY.

Valentino’s diverse network of friends and cultural background has shaped his perspective on medicine. “I’ve associated with rich and poor people. I’ve had exposure to Hindu, Muslim and Christian religions. And, I’ve befriended people of various ethnicities,” says Valentino. “It’s not about color, nor class. I see health, because that’s what matters.”

What should an aspiring physician consider when selecting a medical school? What type of curriculum will prepare medical students for licensure exams in North America? How can a medical graduate obtain a good residency? Aspiring physicians in Canada have the opportunity to get answers to their burning questions and hear directly from medical graduates who weren’t long ago contemplating pursing a medical degree. Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) is hosting a complimentary information seminar Saturday, Feb. 7 in Vancouver, British Columbia at 2 p.m.

Brianna Wells, MD, graduated from RUSM in December 2013 and is currently in her first year of the University of British Columbia Family Practice Residency Program. Dr. Wells will be at the info seminar to offer advice.

“When deciding on what medical school to attend, prospective students should have a grasp on their interests in medicine and determine if the medical school they are considering have alumni who have successfully accomplished what they hope to do,” says Dr. Wells.

There were multiple reasons Dr. Wells chose RUSM over other medical schools, “RUSM is well-known, has a curriculum similar to Canadian schools, and has the ability to organize Canadian elective clerkship experiences.” She also cites RUSM’s unique academic schedule was a factor. “I liked that there were no breaks in the academic schedule.”

Tiffany Bursey, MD, graduated from RUSM in 2011 and is a family medicine physician at North Burlington Medical Centre Walk-in Clinic and at the Halton McMaster Family Health Centre. She is also a part-time hospitalist at Joseph Brant Hospital. All medical facilities located in Burlington, Ontario. 

Tiffany Bursey, MD, graduated from RUSM in 2011 and works in Burlington, Ontario as a family medicine physician at North Burlington Medical Centre Walk-in Clinic and at the Halton McMaster Family Health Centre. She is also a part-time hospitalist at Joseph Brant Hospital and teaches residents and medical students at the Halton McMaster Family Medicine Residency Program.

“I love what I do. I can’t imagine doing anything differently,” says Dr. Bursey. “In addition to general family medicine, I provide comprehensive care including low-risk obstetrics, palliative care and hospital medicine.”

Dr. Bursey also teaches residents and medical students at the Halton McMaster Family Medicine Residency Program in Burlington, Ontario. She too conducted her family medicine residency at McMaster University at the Hamilton, Ontario location.

She recalls her path to successfully obtaining a Canadian residency, “I worked extremely hard to do well on all of my US and Canadian exams. I conducted elective clerkships across Canada and received great reference letters from Canadian physicians.”

In addition to working hard academically, both physicians acknowledge students need to maintain a balance between studying and recreation.

Dr. Wells has this advice for medical students on how to manage stress: “When you are studying, concentrate and do it well. When you are relaxing, let it all go and have fun!” One of Dr. Wells’ cherished memories at RUSM was the time she spent playing in the baseball league.

There are several opportunities to relieve stress in Dominica, West Indies, where students complete their foundational studies before completing their clinical training in the one of RUSM’s affiliated teaching hospitals throughout the United States and select opportunities in Canada.

Dr. Bursey enjoyed snorkeling, scuba diving and beach volleyball when in Dominica.

“My fondest memory of my experience at RUSM is living in the Caribbean and meeting some of my now closest friends," says Dr. Bursey. "The memories are priceless.”

Joseph A. Flaherty, MD, Dean and Chancellor at Ross University School of Medicine, has authored a guest commentary for the Chicago Tribune on the risks to public health posed by parents who choose not to have their children vaccinated for diseases like measles. “While many individuals explore medically sound and useful sites on the Internet, others get bounced to sources of misinformation. It is in this murky "nether net" that disease deniers lurk and anti-vaccination campaigns arise,” he writes.

Dr. Flaherty poses an important question that has sparked debate around the country: “Can a line be drawn between when individuals can make personal medical decisions and when the state needs to intervene?”

Read the full story.

Want to learn more about Dean Flaherty? Check out a profile of the dean here and find out what brought him to RUSM—and how the school has advanced under his leadership.

Stacey Sassaman received the Community Health Leadership and Dean’s Academic Merit Awards.

At 14, Stacey decided to pursue medicine when her grandfather was diagnosed with a rare, malignant brain tumor. “I wanted to understand the disease process,” said Stacey. “I wanted to help him and future patients.”

Keeping on course with her goal of becoming a physician, Stacey has joined Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) with a Master of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Health Science from Drexel University College of Medicine (DUCM) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Drexel University (Drexel), her cumulative GPAs were 3.68 and 3.44 respectively.

As noted by one of her professors, Stacey was recognized as “one of the most studious, intellectually versatile and community-conscious students.” An example of her thirst for learning was Stacey auditing additional classes because she reached her maximum course load permitted by the university.

Stacey was a tutor at Drexel’s Center for Academic Success. She coached nursing and graduate professional students in science courses as well as taught study and time management skills. Also, Stacey was a peer mentor at the Drexel Autism Support Program, supporting fellow Drexel students as they integrated into the larger community on campus. She was noted for demonstrating “creativity, sensitivity, and good humor in working with her mentee.”

Other volunteer work included the Linda Creed Foundation, an organization that provides education and free breast cancer screenings to uninsured and underinsured women in the Philadelphia community; the Pediatric Aids Benefit Concert, DUCM’s largest student-run philanthropic event; and Thomas Jefferson University where Stacey was a bone marrow transplant unit volunteer.

The combination of Stacey’s psychology background; childhood experiences in a rural, underserved region and volunteer work in urban areas positions her to effectively interact with patients from all walks of life.

RUSM graduates Ashley Veatch, MD, and David Sommerhalder, MD, met while they were both students at RUSM.

As Valentine’s Day approaches and as medical students who will soon graduate are in the throes of the residency match process, our thoughts turn to the Couples Match. A number of Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) students every year apply to the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP) as a couple. They are in the Couples’ Match because they want to obtain residencies in the same geographic area, so that they can remain together.

In 2014, RUSM graduates earned more than 800 residency positions at hospitals in the United States and Canada. Two of them, Texas natives David Sommerhalder and his fiancée at the time, Ashley Veatch, matched together at Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, he in internal medicine and she in family medicine.

Cheau Williams, MD, MSN, and his wife Betty Koukis, MD, at RUSM's White Coat Ceremony in May 2014.

Another RUSM alumni couple, Cheau Williams, MD, MSN, and his wife Betty Koukis, MD, are graduates of the class of 2006. Dr. Williams served as the guest speaker at the White Coat Ceremony last May. He is the director of urogynecology and female pelvic reconstructive surgery at Colquitt Regional Medical Center in Moultrie, GA, and she is an obstetrician/gynecologist there. The couple met while they were medical school students on the Dominica campus.

Sgt. Jeffrey Henneman received the Veterans Recognition Scholarship award for his work as a combat medic in the United States Army. During his eight years of service, Sgt. Henneman oversaw a team of 14 to maintain a satellite health clinic. Sgt. Henneman has provided a range of medical care including conducting physical exams, minor surgical procedures and administering immunizations and intravenous lines.
 

According to Sgt. Henneman, he was deployed multiple times, yet, it was his last tour that was the most impactful. He and a small team were charged with designing and instructing a two-week basic combat trauma treatment class for a group of 15-20 Afghan Army medics.
 

“Through both successes and failures we all learned ways of overcoming cultural barriers in order for everyone involved to fully communicate and understand one another,” recalls Sgt. Henneman. “The Afghan Soldiers taught me a lot about acceptance, patience and cultural differences.” A total of 142 Afghan medics were trained and certified under Sgt. Henneman’s leadership.
 

Sgt. Henneman received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at the University of Mary Hardin - Baylor. He is happily married to his wife, Morgan.

We’re excited about some of the great new developments in the clinical program at Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM). From dedicated student support teams to new U.S. regional hubs that serve as convenient, single-location “academic homes” for our clinical students, there’s a lot for our students to look forward to—and even more enhancements headed your way in the future.

New Single-Location Clinical Rotation Opportunities for Medical School Students

Since our founding about 40 years ago, RUSM clinical administrators have worked hard to identify and partner with United States teaching hospitals that meet our standards for excellence. That hasn’t changed: We’re proud to continue offering our students clinical placements at quality clinical sites across the United States, plus options for rotations in Canada and the United Kingdom.

What has changed? Notably, in recent months, we’ve been giving students the opportunity to complete all third-year clinical rotations—the “core” disciplines of medicine, like internal medicine, surgery, and pediatrics—at a single location, rather than at multiple hospitals. That’s because we believe that our students shouldn’t have to worry about the outside distractions that come with moving from site to site, having to find a place to live, and learning the ins and outs at a new hospital.

Single-location clinical opportunities are available in:

New York

• St. John's Episcopal Hospital, Far Rockaway
• Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Queens
• New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn

Illinois

• Norwegian American Hospital, Chicago
• West Suburban Medical Center, Oak Park
• Mount Sinai Hospital, Chicago
• St. Anthony Hospital, Chicago

California

• Kern Medical Center, Bakersfield
• California Hospital Medical Center, Los Angeles

Michigan

• St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, Pontiac

Florida

• Center for Haitian Studies, Miami
• Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston

Maryland

• Prince George Hospital Center, Cheverly
• Beltway Track, which includes four hospitals—Saint Agnes Hospital, Baltimore; Prince George Hospital Center; Holy Cross Hospital, Silver Spring; and St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Washington, DC)

Georgia

• Atlanta Medical Center, Atlanta

New and Expanded Affiliations Add Value to Clinical Program

Over the last few years, we’ve started or expanded clinical education affiliations with a number of highly regarded teaching hospitals.

• RUSM entered into a 10-year affiliation agreement with Kern Medical Center (KMC) in Bakersfield, Calif., to offer about 100 core clinical rotation slots annually for RUSM students. This partnership, initiated in 2012, is the largest clinical affiliation in RUSM’s history. KMC, established in 1867, is a 222-bed acute care teaching hospital that serves about 650,000 area residents. KMC provides care for more than 16,000 inpatients annually, and experiences 43,000 Emergency Room visits per year. Per the agreement, RUSM clinical students can complete all third-year rotations at KMC.
• Atlanta Medical Center (AMC) joined the RUSM clinical network in 2013. A 762-bed acute care hospital and a leading provider of advanced medical care to the metro Atlanta area, AMC is the second largest licensed-bed hospital in Georgia and a Level 1 trauma center. RUSM clinical students can complete all of their third-year rotations at AMC. The hospital is widely recognized for its women’s services program and for outstanding performance in the treatment of stroke patients. The hospital has campuses in downtown Atlanta and East Point, GA.
• We expanded our affiliation with Cleveland Clinic Florida, one of the campuses of the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic, in 2013. This strengthened agreement gives RUSM students the option of completing internal medicine and surgery training at this Weston-based teaching hospital.  With the addition of the internal medicine and surgery clerkships, RUSM students can choose from nearly 30 clinical clerkships at Cleveland Clinic Florida, including anesthesiology, infectious disease, neurology, plastic surgery, and pulmonary medicine.
• In 2011, RUSM added St. Joseph Mercy Oakland (SJMO), in Pontiac, Mich., to the roster of clinical affiliates.  SJMO is ranked in the top five percent of hospitals across the nation for clinical excellence and women’s health, and has earned a position among the top 50 US cardiovascular programs. It has also been recognized as a leader in patient safety and quality, palliative care, pulmonology, and various forms of orthopedic surgery, including knee and hip procedures, joint replacement, and spine surgery.

Supporting Our Students During Clinicals

As you may have guessed, you’ll be very busy as a RUSM clinical student, and it can be challenging to progress through clinical rotations while staying connected, staying on track to earn your medical degree, and preparing to enter residency. To help support our students during the clinical program, we’ve implemented the Rely On Student Service (ROSS) model. This student support feature links every RUSM clinical student with his/her own team of dedicated advisors, from financial counselors to writers from our Office for Student Professional Development. Clinical students can also leverage innovative digital technologies to further enrich their clinical experience. 

Knowing firsthand what it’s like to grow up in an underserved community, Stephen Sebastian aspires to open a rural medical practice. He began the first step toward realizing his goal when he enrolled at Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) in January 2015, receiving the Canadian Founder and Dean’s Academic Merit Scholarships.

“We often felt that doctors came and went swiftly,” said Stephen speaking of the transient physicians that never settled in his Canadian hometown.

Due to the lack of physicians in his community, Stephen developed a compassion for those with limited access to resources. He has participated in several community service initiatives including volunteering at Cambodian Foreign Aid as a Children’s Camp Coordinator and his local food bank in Innisfail, Alberta. Also, Stephen has spent time at Kelowna General Hospital as a hemodialysis unit volunteer and he has worked as a pharmacy technician.

Stephen is a graduate of the University of British Columbia–Okanagan where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, biochemistry and chemistry.
 

Jeff Irvine, MD, knew exactly what he wanted from his medical school experience. For one, he wanted it to be an adventure, one that gave him the opportunity to study medicine in a global setting. And two—on almost the opposite end of the spectrum—he wanted to ultimately go back to his home province of Saskatchewan for residency and practice after earning his medical degree.

To those ends, Dr. Irvine chose Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM). And, as it turns out, he got both of his wishes.

The University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine, in part 2 of a monthly series profiling recent medical school graduates, reports on Dr. Irvine's experience. Now, Dr. Irvine, who just wrapped up a family medicine residency at the University, is excited to start exploring the practice possibilities that await him in his home province.

Read his story here.