Saying Goodbye and Welcoming Summer Break
Spotlight
Saying Goodbye
Dear Readers,
This will be the final issue of The Current. Over the years, we have enjoyed providing you with informative and engaging content that has covered a range of topics, from new initiatives to upcoming events, we have been honored to share stories about the impact of your work.
While this is the end of our internal newsletter, it isn’t the end of our communication with you. Learn more about the two new exciting developments in Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Chancellor Brian L. Strom’s message.
Enjoy your summer. Until next time!
From the Desk of...
From the Desk of Brian L. Strom
Dear Colleagues,
Today’s issue is not only our last message of the academic year, but also the last time I write to you from The Current. For the past five years, The Current has provided valuable information and insights for our internal community at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) and Rutgers–New Brunswick.
To keep pace with the rapidly evolving digital landscape, I am pleased to announce that we are introducing two new digital publications this summer and fall: a newsletter for RBHS and a newsletter for Rutgers–New Brunswick, respectively. I am looking forward to this new platform, which will be shared broadly to include our internal and external audiences. These publications will highlight the excellence and impact of our academic community, as well as our vision for the future of our institution.
Looking forward to this year’s convocations and commencement, I want to thank and congratulate both our RBHS and Rutgers–New Brunswick faculty and staff for the meaningful ways you have guided our graduates towards success. These were challenging years – not only for our students, but also for you, our faculty and staff, who had to continually adjust educational, research, and administrative activities during an unprecedented time. I am grateful for your dedication to our students and university.
Thank you and have a safe, healthy, and happy summer.
Announcements
RBHS Strategic Plan Updates
Marking the one-year anniversary of the Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) strategic plan, you are invited to learn more about the progress and vision for the path ahead on the newly updated website. Explore our accomplishments so far and strategic themes and goals, and get to know the nine goal committees – the people shaping the implementation of the plan at every level and area of RBHS.
Rutgers Day Is a Success Despite Gloomy Weather
For the first time in Rutgers Day history, the event was largely held indoors because of the rain. Despite the gloomy weather, thousands of community members showed up in great spirits to enjoy the festivities.
"We're thrilled that despite the challenging elements, so many of our alumni, faculty, staff, students, community members and visitors from across New Jersey came out to enjoy this much beloved Rutgers tradition," said Melissa Selesky, a senior director of Rutgers Communications and Marketing.
Get Your Season Ticket Discount Today!
This season, Rutgers Women’s Basketball is offering a discounted season ticket rate to faculty and staff. Call now for your discount (866) 445-4678.
More to Know
Policy Library Update
The Office of the Secretary of the University announces recent updates to the University Policy Library:
View other recent policy updates, including previous versions of updated policies, available at Recent Policy Updates. For specific questions about policy interpretations, contact the responsible office listed on each policy. For general questions, please email the Office of the Secretary of the University.
Updates to the Health Care Tab on myRutgers
Among the many changes in the works for myRutgers, members of the New Brunswick community now will have access to the health care tab, previously only accessible for RBHS faculty, staff and students. More updates are expected to take place throughout the 2023-2024 academic year.
Rutgers Physician Assistant Studies Among Top 10 in Latest U.S. News and World Report Graduate School Rankings
The Rutgers School of Health Professions’ Physician Assistant program has been ranked No. 7 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools, continuing the program’s long reputation as one of the nation’s best.
What's Happening
5/17 Virtual Artist Talk: Renée Stout
Join us for a unique opportunity to hear from Renée Stout, whose prints, drawings, photographs and mixed media installations are inspired by the African Diaspora, as well as her daily life and current events. Q&A follows. Free and open to the public.
5/18 RBG's List of Brave and Brilliant Jewish Women
Journalist Nadine Epstein discusses her collaboration with late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on a book about inspiring women. Like Ginsburg herself, these trailblazing role models were guided by Jewish values to change the world. Advance registration is required.
5/18 Rutgers Active Learning Symposium
The Rutgers Active Learning Symposium (RALS) is a day of discussions, presentations, panels, and workshops relating to various topics in active learning. The 2023 RALS will take place on Thursday, May 18 in Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering on Rutgers–New Brunswick's Busch Campus in Piscataway. Registration is free and includes a light breakfast and lunch.
Awards & Honors
Vicente Gracias Receives International Award
Vicente Gracias, senior vice chancellor for clinical affairs at RBHS, vice president for health affairs at Rutgers University and professor of surgery at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, was presented with the Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fracture Luminary Award, an international honor granted by the Chest Wall Injury Wall Society (CWIS).
Gracias was honored for his novel research developing curriculum and procedures for surgical stabilization of rib fractures with the goal of enhancing the quality of life for patients with broken ribs and chest wall injuries.
Past interventions for this type of patient only consisted of life-saving procedures. Through research and surgical practice innovation, Gracias proved that a more humanistic approach of stabilizing rib fractures through micro-plating surgical techniques that allowed patients to return to a normal way of life sooner. As a result of his work, training in micro plating techniques scaled throughout the United States and because of the efforts of CWIS these procedures are covered for by insurance and currently being used here at Rutgers and across the world.
Perry Halkitis Receives Dennis J. Sullivan Award
Perry Halkitis, dean and professor of Biostatistics and Urban-Global Public Health at the School of Public Health, received the Dennis J. Sullivan Award, which is the New Jersey Public Health Association’s highest award. Halkitis is also a professor in the Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine, Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, and Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration as well as a member of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.
Derrick Darby Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Derrick Darby, Rutgers distinguished professor of philosophy, was elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Founded in 1780, its first members included Benjamin Franklin and George Washington and today lists President Barack Obama; Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomayor; actor Tom Hanks; actor, songwriter and producer Lin-Manuel Miranda; and others who have been recognized for their notable achievements in academia, industry, policy research and science. Darby joins 270 others from the United States and 23 countries chosen in 2023.
On The Move
Tobias Gerhard
RBHS Chancellor Brian L. Strom recently announced Tobias Gerhard was selected to serve as the director of the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research (IFH).
The professor of pharmacy and epidemiology at the Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy had served in the capacity of acting and interim director of IFH since December 2021.
Laura Curran
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Laura Curran recently announced her departure from Rutgers to serve the University of Connecticut as dean of its School of Social Work, a position she will assume August 11.