It's Alumni Election Season!

Grad Year: 2014
Current Specialty:  Emergency Medicine
Current Employer: TeamHealth
Current Position:  Attending Physician 

Nominee’s involvement with professional/community organizations:
Junior League of Memphis, Bluff City Medical Society, National Medical Association, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians

Has this nominee previously been involved in any RUSM Alumni programming?
I've done webinars for students on Emergency Medicine and getting into the field, also was a speaker on the podcast. I've also been to the new campus in Barbados and gave a lecture to the Ross Emergency Medicine Association (REMA).

What impact can this nominee make on the RUSM Alumni Council?
I'm still very active in encouraging pre-medical students and IMGs that medicine is a possibility. I'm active on social media, mentor students in my spare time, and co-wrote a book Still MD.  Still MD details my medical school journey and gives helpful advice, tips, and tricks to encourage, uplift, and inspire other IMGs to pursue their dreams of medicine. Ross gave me an opportunity to become a physician when no one else would. I'd love the opportunity to continue to lead and inspire others to accomplish their goals and dreams.

Personal Statement/Why do you want to be on the Council?
While I was on the island, being an alumni of Ross seemed like it was such a faraway thing. All I could see was studying for minis and trying not to fail out. Now, after graduation, I can get my hands dirty with finding new and innovative ways to support current students. Ross afforded me the opportunity to become a physician when no one else would. It would be an honor to serve on the Council to make sure other students have their own Ross success story.

Grad Year: 2018
Current Specialty:  Internal Medicine
Current Employer: Cleveland Clinic Florida
Current Position:  Resident 

Nominee’s involvement with professional/community organizations:

Has this nominee previously been involved in any RUSM Alumni programming?
Yes, attended alumni events in Miramar.

What impact can this nominee make on the RUSM Alumni Council?
I would like to help out in any way the Ross students that would like to attend Cleveland or help out on Miramar campus since I live nearby.

Personal Statement/Why do you want to be on the Council?
As a resident in a nearby area I would love to help out students in this area answer questions or help guide along the way.

Grad Year: 2014
Current Specialty:  Family Medicine 

Nominee’s involvement with professional/community organizations:
Gives talks about preventative of the most common medical conditions in the community. I have recently won Hernando Reader's choice Best Primary Doctor 2021. Won same title 2020.  

Has this nominee previously been involved in any RUSM Alumni programming?
My husband and I have done a couple prospective student functions, involved with the accepted student call

What impact can this nominee make on the RUSM Alumni Council?
Give the perspective as a part time physician balancing work with family life.

Personal Statement/Why do you want to be on the Council?
I am very much involved with the community via social media, outreach programs. I strive to balance work with family life on a daily basis while married to a physician. I have worked very hard and humble with what I do accomplish. I want to give back to Ross U for giving both my husband and I a chance to achieve our goals and help play a part with decisions that affect current and future doctors.
 

Grad Year: 2017
Current Specialty:  Emergency Medicine
Current Employer: Community Medical Center 
Current Position:  Residency faculty

Nominee’s involvement with professional/community organizations:
I am currently involved in ACEP/EMRA as a committee leader, residency liaison, and liaison to the disaster committee. State legislative and regulatory committee through American College of emergency physicians, emergency management committee in Newark Beth Israel, community Medical Center. assistant EMS medical Director of RWJBH, swat team  of New Jersey assistant medical Director. 

Has this nominee previously been involved in any RUSM Alumni programming?
I have been to Barbados for the first day of classes as a New Student Ambassador. I have also  been involved in many lectures and panels for incoming students, prospective students, and clinical students.

What impact can this nominee make on the RUSM Alumni Council?
I believe I can make a huge difference as a member of the Alumni Council. I love where Ross has helped me get to, I love the friends I have made and the different in the person I have become. I want to continue that tradition for students, and especially as an Emergency Medicine Physician, I want to give people the mentorship that I did not have. I did not have a EM physician to look up to, or easily email, and I wish I had more direction that I received from an alumni. I want to do that for Ross, and I want to keep working with Ross to make all of our prospective/current students and Alumni proud they  attended Ross University. We are a unique and prosperous group.

Personal Statement/Why do you want to be on the Council?
I want to be on the council for many of the reasons I mentioned above. I want to be a leader for future and current students in medicine, let alone in Emergency Medicine. The experience I had at Ross University allowed me to persevere in the sense of adversity and become a Chief Resident in a competitive specialty. I want to be a role model for new alumni to see what can be done in a short amount of time. 

I am also going to be an EMS fellow, and we have multiple students and residents that want to do fellowship in their own specialty. I want to be a role model for all of them, someone to bounce questions off of and guide. 
Ross has allowed me to make friends all over the country, and experience life in very different environments that I would not have anywhere else. I also want to use the Alumni Council to provide wellness resources to current students to show that while it may be hard some days, it gets better. We have an amazing experience no one else can compare to.  

I also want to be on the council to help coordinate some events for Alumni. While it has been greatly increasing over the years, I want to continue to contribute to increasing this opportunity to not only network, but to get together with people we may not have seen since the island.
 

Current Specialty:  Internal Medicine
Current Employer: Brandon Regional Hospital
Current Position:  Chief Resident  

Nominee’s involvement with professional/community organizations:
ACP, APHA

Has this nominee previously been involved in any RUSM Alumni programming?
Yes

What impact can this nominee make on the RUSM Alumni Council?
As someone who is always aspiring to mentor those who are in the medical education process after me, I believe I can help to further Alumni Council outreach to students and prospects.

Personal Statement/Why do you want to be on the Council?
Giving back is one way I can show appreciation for all the RUSM has done for me to help achieve this dream of becoming a doctor. As someone who values mentorship and role modeling, I would be elated at the opportunity to serve on the council and work on efforts to strengthen the Alumni’s connection to the school through mentorship programs. With how extensive RUSM’s reach into our medical society has become, I think it is important for current (and even prospective) students to be able to reach out to an alumnus for some guidance through some of medicines obscure or troublesome times. As someone who was in student government throughout my time at Ross, I have heard the voice of students and advocated to help achieve needed changes. As an alumni council representative, I would appreciate being able to continue to advocate for the voices of my colleagues and would strive to foster meaningful connections to help each other continue to grow professionally.
 

Grad Year: 2007
Current Specialty:  Pain Management 
Current Employer: NYC Pain Specialists
Current Position:  Medical Director

Nominee’s involvement with professional/community organizations:
I founded the New York Physician Society that grew from a group of a few physicians to over 125 in NYC.  Communities of this kind remind me of the collegiality at Ross University and the importance of the same throughout your career.  

Has this nominee previously been involved in any RUSM Alumni programming?
Alumni talks for prospective students about 10 years ago
What impact can this nominee make on the RUSM Alumni Council?
Volunteer Time and Dedicate Efforts to optimizing the University's Mission.  

Personal Statement/Why do you want to be on the Council?
RUSM gave me the opportunity to pursue my endeavors in becoming a Physician.  The life-long friendships, hard work and discipline have allowed me to be where I am today.  I believe in being part of the RUSM it is important to be there for our community and empower us all to rise to the aspirations of the University's mission.  I look forward to contributing as part of the RUSM Alumni Council.  
 

Grad Year: 2020
Current Specialty:  Pediatrics
Current Employer: Monmouth Medical Center
Current Position:  PGY-1

Nominee’s involvement with professional/community organizations:
I have founded and operated a non-profit for over 2 years. In which I was responsible for maintaining the mission statement of the organization. Managing all the financial decisions and daily operations. I am also actively obtaining an MBA to have a better foundation for my future administrative role.

Has this nominee previously been involved in any RUSM Alumni programming?
I have not had an opportunity to be involved with the RUSM alumni organization officially yet. I am highly motivated to become a more active alumni and help support the further progression of RUSM as a school by strengthening the alumni network.

What impact can this nominee make on the RUSM Alumni Council?
As a potential council member, I plan to bring forth my skills of organization and communication to help optimize the outreach of the alumni council. In hopes to help strengthen the large network of RUSM alumni to create a stronger presence and support in the US healthcare.

Personal Statement/Why do you want to be on the Council?
 As a Ross graduate, I am eternally grateful to the school for providing me an opportunity to achieve my goal of becoming a physician. At the same time, I understand the challenges that come with being considered a foreign medical graduate in obtaining competitive residencies. I consider the alumni network a great opportunity to help break down those barriers faced by Ross graduates by helping create networking opportunities.

Grad Year: 2012
Current Specialty:  Pediatric Medicine

Nominee’s involvement with professional/community organizations:
I'm involved in the AdTalem board of directions for the Empower Scholarship Fund. I'm a member of AAP and a few committee inside the AAP. I'm part of the international DBP association.

Has this nominee previously been involved in any RUSM Alumni programming?
Yes

What impact can this nominee make on the RUSM Alumni Council?
As the Ross representative on the AdTalem board of directors I would like to make a bigger impact as to the alumni participation and become a bigger part of the mentorship program at Ross.

Personal Statement/Why do you want to be on the Council?
I'd like to increase my participation in alumni relations and student empowerment and supports and I'd like to work with the council. I've taken part so far in the mock interview process and it was a joy to work directly with students to help them improve their interview skills. Similarly, I have a high level of interest in helping students improve their essay writing skills and how to better present themselves whether in person, over zoom or in writing for the Empower scholarship. I've reviewed and graded applications for the scholarship and I found both the representative numbers for Ross to be incredibly low when compared to the other participating schools but the quality of the applications (specifically the essay portion) to be subpar for the most part. I hope to work with the council on bringing about bug changes when it comes to Ross's involvement in the Empower scholarship. 
 

Grad Year: 2009
Current Specialty:  Internal Medicine Board Certified, Hematology Medicine Board Certified, Oncology Medicine Board Certified, and Obesity Medicine Board Certified
Current Employer:  Amgen
Current Position:  Clinical Research Medical Director

Nominee’s involvement with professional/community organizations:
Physicians United Urgent Care, Co-Founder American Cancer Society, Volunteer Gold Coast Medical Foundation, Volunteer CynthiaObiozor LLC, Travel Clinic

Has this nominee previously been involved in any RUSM Alumni programming?
No

What impact can this nominee make on the RUSM Alumni Council?
Representation of non traditional career path that incorporates academic medicine leading to drug development and healthcare solutions. Provide insight into the overall process of evaluation and development of drugs.

Personal Statement/Why do you want to be on the Council?
During my fellowship, I became very interested in the drug development process and helping to advance the development of oncologic and hematologic drugs. Early in my career, I found that many of my attending physicians had knowledge with regards to academic medicine and in hospital clinical trials but, not necessarily with regards to the drug development process from conception to FDA approval. It took me years to navigate the dug development realm and I am still learning today! I would love to be a representative for Ross University, within the pharmaceutical space, and help to provide any knowledge or personal experience to Ross University graduates who are interested in this sector as well. Thank you for your consideration.

Grad Year: 2014
Current Specialty:  Psychiatry
Current Employer: Virginia Mason Medical Center
Current Position: Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry

Nominee’s involvement with professional/community organizations:
Academy of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry - current  American Psychiatric Association - current  Washington State Psychiatric Association - current  Cleveland Consultation-Liaison Society - past  Illinois Psychiatric Society - past

Has this nominee previously been involved in any RUSM Alumni programming?
RUSM Alumni Perspectives Intern Survivorship Seminar -- April 2020  RUSM Alumni Mock Interview Program 2019  RUSM Alumni Welcome Ambassador Program 2019  RUSM 2019 Alumni Reunion -- Barbados  RUSM Commencement Alumni Representative -- 2016  Ross University Information Seminars (Chicago 2014-2020 at least one per year, often two; Minneapolis 2015-2016)

What impact can this nominee make on the RUSM Alumni Council?
Please see personal statement.

Personal Statement/Why do you want to be on the Council?
Since graduation from RUSM in 2014, I have continued to be grateful for the opportunity and experience provided by RUSM to guide me in achieving my lifelong dream of becoming a physician. It has taken me places I never imagined I would go, and my life and practice have been enriched accordingly. Professionally, as a consultation-liaison psychiatrist my role is an advocate for people in crisis, and this is a unique role between patient and the complex healthcare system. It fosters a skill set that enables me to meet the merging needs of different individuals and healthcare systems, and my experience at RUSM set the foundation by diversifying my educational experience.    I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to share this experience with prospective students at multiple information seminars. In the past twelve months, I have been further privileged to connect with incoming students as an Alumni Welcome Ambassador and upcoming alumni as part of the Mock Interview Program. I have found forging these connections with future alumni and colleagues incredibly rewarding. As a member of the Alumni Council, I would continue to serve the University that provided me the ultimate opportunity by advocating for our prospective, current, and past students, much as I advocate for my patients.

Grad Year: 1988
Current Specialty:  IM/GI
Current Employer: MOLINA HEALTHCARE
Current Position:  National Medical Director

Nominee’s involvement with professional/community organizations:
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS,  AMERICAN BOARD OF QUALITY ASSURANCE AND UTILIZATION REVIEW OF PHYSICIANS, AMA, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICIAN LEADERSHIP, AHEPA LOCAL PRESIDENT

Has this nominee previously been involved in any RUSM Alumni programming?
No

What impact can this nominee make on the RUSM Alumni Council?
VERY PASSIONATE AND DEDICATED TO SHARE HIS INSIGHT FOR SUCCESS IN THE MEDICAL ODYSSEY IF THE OPPORTUNITY ARISES.

Personal Statement/Why do you want to be on the Council?
My strong interest in serving on the Ross University School of Medicine Alumni Board is multifactorial, including my  prior experiences and contributions serving on several other local and national boards.    First, I would like to offer my time and experience to the institution which allowed me to obtain my medical education and succeed in medicine over 30 years ago.  The beginning of my career started out with many struggles, yet through Ross I succeeded in obtaining a fellowship and Masters degree at Harvard.    Secondly, I would like to bring my energy, commitment, and  ideas on improving processes and perception for a more successful medical school.  My point of view precipitates from the perspective of a prior hospital chief medical officer, chief executive officer and multi-clinic medical director combined with a Masters in HealthCare Management.    Lastly, I thoroughly enjoy mentoring students, residents, and young physicians as I have done in several medical schools during the past 30 years.  I find that helping students reach success with tenacity, perseverance, and goal planning is a strategy that can be shared through mentorship in order to reach their ambitious goals in life.
 

Grad Year: 2009
Current Specialty:  Sports Medicine
Current Employer:  SUNY Downstate
Current Position:  Program Director- Sports Medicine Fellowship, Medical Director, Owner- TruAlly Medical 

Nominee’s involvement with professional/community organizations:
AMSSM- education committee, fellowship committee  ACSM of Greater NY-secretary 

 Has this nominee previously been involved in any RUSM Alumni programming?
Yes

What impact can this nominee make on the RUSM Alumni Council?
As a female minority I think I will have a lot to bring on my experience thus far

Personal Statement/Why do you want to be on the Council?
I think I can bring a unique perspective to the Council. I am heavily involved in academia within my institution. I am the program director for the sports medicine fellowship and the clerkship director for the sports medicine rotation for medical students. In addition to this I have also recently 
opened a private practice in New Jersey. I am a proud alum of Ross and would be honored to be a representative if given the opportunity. 
 

Grad Year: 2016
Current Specialty:  Interventional Pain
Current Employer: KDMC
Current Position:  Interventional Spine, Attending

Nominee’s involvement with professional/community organizations:
ASA, NANS, ASRA

Has this nominee previously been involved in any RUSM Alumni programming?
Yes

What impact can this nominee make on the RUSM Alumni Council?
Work well with the team to provide guidance to current students and help strengthen the alumni network.

Personal Statement/Why do you want to be on the Council?
Ross University SOM worked hard to see to my success in medical school, including providing mentorship, residency application support, and helping to build a strong community of other students who helped support and teach each other. Now that I am out of residency and fellowship training, I feel that I am ready to give back to the RUSM community in a deeper way and contribute what I can to ensure those supports persist and grow to be even more robust. 

Grad Year: 2018
Current Specialty:  Internal Medicine
Current Employer: Cooper University Hospital
Current Position:  Chief Resident (providing me with a unique perspective on being and advocate for my colleagues as well as a liaison between our residents and administration)

Nominee’s involvement with professional/community organizations:
 American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, American College of Physicians, Society for Teachers of Family Medicine, American Indian Professionals of South Jersey

Has this nominee previously been involved in any RUSM Alumni programming?
Attended the cocktails & conversations prior to commencement; alumni panels at Informational Sessions (Philadelphia and Washington D.C)

Personal Statement/Why do you want to be on the Council?
As a medical student, I was always looking for ways to communicate and provide a voice for the student body. I was a representative for my track as a part of Clinical SGA and I found that maintaining the relationship between the student body and administration helped facilitate change and progress. As an alumni, I am always trying to find ways to continue to help the current student body. I hope that as a member of the alumni council, I can foster and build strong relationships between alumni and the current student body. As a medical student, I always enjoyed hearing about the success of our alumni network as it provided hope and meaning to the dream I was trying to achieve.     As a current medical resident, I believe I can provide a voice on the council for recent graduates. Moreover, as a member of the council I would hope to create a network of current alumni residents that students can reach out to during application season for advice and mock interviews.
 

Grad Year: 2018
Current Specialty:  Urology
Current Employer: University of Buffalo 
Current Position:  PGY-4

Nominee’s involvement with professional/community organizations:
Dr. Waisanen is currently active within the American Urologic Association as part of the Northeast AUA section. He was recently accepted into the Early Career Investigator program for research grant development and will be attending their national workshop for NIH and department of defense grant writing. Over the past 2 years he has remained and active participant in the National Science Foundation sponsored I-Corps program Buffalo regional node for research and entrepreneurship development. Dr. Waisanen is also an active member of the WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) assisting in gender-affirming surgeries at the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, NY with Drs. Mark Burke and Thom Loree. 

Has this nominee previously been involved in any RUSM Alumni programming?
Dr. Waisanen has not been involved in Alumni programming prior to this nomination due to his residency program’s junior level commitments. He now plans to be available on a regular basis moving forward during his senior and chief years of training.

What impact can this nominee make on the RUSM Alumni Council?
Dr. Waisanen can help make a substantial impact within the RUSM Alumni Council by increasing current students and alumni connections withing the urology field. He plans to help increase research and start-up entrepreneurship educational opportunities to strengthen RUSM alumni and students’ footprint in medical device design and academic research communities. 

Personal Statement/Why do you want to be on the Council?
I have taken great pride in the caliber of students and alumni our medical school has continually trained over the decades since Ross University’s establishment in 1978. With each graduating class we continue to increase RUSM’s impact on the global medical community and it is my goal to aid in the continued advancement of our alumni into both traditional and non-traditional medical roles on completion of their training. I plan to support the development of our school’s alumni by providing improved exposure of Ross University students and graduates to successful research planning and implementation into academic and entrepreneurship roles. Our vast graduate community of RUSM alumni has the potential to make a positive societal impact on the overall graduate educational system, resident and student training environments, medical communities, and on current social issues at large. I would be honored to receive your vote to join the RUSM Alumni Council and help make a positive impact with my fellow graduates for many more years to come.