Robert Wood Johnson
I
MEDICINE 49
Dear Alumni and Friends:
I
t is my pleasure to welcome you to the fall issue of Robert Wood Johnson Medicine!
This past August, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School welcomed the largest incoming first-year class in
the school's history--190 newly matriculated students and 10 students from our pipeline programs with
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and Seton Hall University. The first-year class is among the most
diverse classes in our school's history, in demographics, languages spoken (35!), countries of birth, and serv-
ice experiences. It also included our inaugural MD/PharmD class and five Global Health Chancellor Scholars.
SAVE THE DATE: The Alumni Association's 28th Annual Career Night will be on Tuesday evening, March
8, 2016, in the Great Hall, Piscataway campus. As assistant dean for student affairs at Robert Wood Johnson
Medical School, I know that our students are always excited to meet and learn from alumni and are very
appreciative of your time and efforts. We are always interested in expanding the scope of represented special-
ties and welcome new participants.
The Day in the Life Program is another opportunity for our alumni to provide informal mentorship to the
students. Many of you are already part of this program. I would love to see this program expanded. It would
be a wonderful opportunity for our students to have alumni contacts across the country so they have some-
one to speak with when they are on away rotations or on the interview trail. If you are interested in being part
of our Day in the Life Program, please reach out to Roberta Ribner at ribnerrs@rwjms.rutgers.edu.
The Sixth Annual Scholarship Gala will take place on Saturday evening, April 9, 2016, at The Heldrich in
New Brunswick. We will celebrate the anniversaries of the following classes: 45th: 1971, 40th: 1976, 35th:
1981, 30th: 1986, 25th: 1991, 20th: 1996, 15th: 2001, 10th: 2006, 5th: 2011.
Through our other annual alumni fundraising efforts, the Alumni Annual Fund
provides scholarships and low-interest loans to medical students. Alumni contri-
butions provided $70,000 in scholarships and loans for the 20152016 academic
year. Thank you for your contributions and continued dedication to helping stu-
dents to defray the ever-rising costs of medical education.
The Alumni Association is a great way for you to stay connected with our
school. Your education at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School has provided
you with great opportunities. Please share your career and family updates for our
"Class Notes" section of the magazine. I am particularly interested in hearing from
alumni on how the association can better serve your needs. Please join us on
Facebook (www.facebook.com).
I want to thank the past presidents of the Alumni Association and members of the Board of Trustees for all
the work that they have done and continue to do. It is my hope that we can continue to grow our alumni base,
strive for excellence, and accomplish great things together this year.
L E T T E R F R O M T H E
A L U M N I A S S O C I A T I O N
P R E S I D E N T
STEVE
HOCKSTEIN
Sincerely,
Sonia Garcia Laumbach, MD '99
President, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Alumni Association
P.S. Please visit our website at http://support.rutgers.edu/RWJMSAlumni to contribute to the
Alumni Annual Fund, or you may also mail your gift in the enclosed envelope.