Jason Richwall
Master of Biomedical Science, 2023
Student Doctor, Rowan-Virtua SOM, 2027

2023 Dean's Outstanding Academic Achievement in Master of Biomedical Sciences

GSBS provided an extremely valuable opportunity for me to pursue my interests and future goals. Most notably, it has been a lifelong dream of mine to eventually become a doctor, and GSBS helped to make this dream a reality.

After graduating with my undergraduate degree, I applied for medical school in two consecutive cycles, but I unfortunately was not admitted at the time. I then made the decision to leave the doctor’s office at which I was working and return to the classroom, as this would better prepare me for success in medical school and provide a chance to show that I can excel in graduate level courses.

Rowan GSBS was the obvious choice for me, since Rowan-Virtua SOM had already been atop my medical schools of interest, and the linkage between the schools provides an immensely valuable foot in the door, as well as the familiarity I would get by spending time on the SOM campus. I already had a qualifying MCAT score, and I was driven to maintain an excellent GPA to demonstrate that I belong. In addition to taking classes, I was also able to use my remaining Track & Field eligibility from the season I missed due to COVID-19 in 2020. As a member of Rowan’s Track team, I was able to continue challenging myself outside the classroom, and I also started to truly feel like part of the Rowan community.

My classes were also very engaging and enjoyable throughout my two years. My hard work was rewarded with a guaranteed interview with Rowan-Virtua SOM and I was beyond thrilled to hear I had been accepted. I am looking forward to beginning my medical school journey there in the summer of 2023, and I am extraordinarily grateful to GSBS for helping me get to this point.

In retrospect, I may not have been ready for the rigors of medical school directly out of my undergraduate years. The GSBS program has provided me with a greater knowledge of material and study habits, as well as a greater confidence that I will be able to succeed in the next chapter. These skills, combined with the opportunity to earn a guaranteed interview, demonstrates the importance of this program at a time when medical school admissions have become increasingly competitive. 

Micheline Laing
Master of Biomedical Science, 2023

2023 Outstanding Academic Achievement in Master of Biomedical Sciences Award Recipient

Milan Arya
Master of Biomedical Science, 2021
Student Doctor, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, 2025

2022 Outstanding Academic Achievement in Master of Biomedical Sciences Award Recipient

Theodore Manahan
Master of Biomedical Science, 2021
Student Doctor, Rowan-Virtua SOM, 2025

2021 Outstanding Academic Achievement in Master of Biomedical Sciences Award Recipient

Stephany McDonald
Master of Biomedical Science, 2020
Student Doctor, Rowan-Virtua SOM, 2024

2020 Outstanding Academic Achievement in Master of Biomedical Sciences Award Recipient

Delis Tejeda
Master of Biomedical Science, 2019
Physician Assistant, 2023 

2019 Outstanding Academic Achievement in Master of Biomedical Sciences Award Recipient

Bela Desai
Master of Biomedical Science, 2016
Doctor of Health Science, 2023

From the many hours we spent studying, to the Wawa breaks we took together, my Rowan GSBS colleagues and I spent a lot of time together. These friends are friends for life. I will never forget the strong support system we developed and continue to have, even after graduation. The time I spent at Rowan GSBS was probably one of the best experiences of my life so far. I enjoyed all my classes because they weren't easy - they challenged me. Such challenges made me realize the kind of intellectual and bright students RowanGSBS accepts, which pushed me harder to achieve my goals and do well.

Rowan GSBS gave me many opportunities to bring out my leadership qualities, even while having a full timetable of classes. It provided the perfect balance for me. I served as the biomedical graduate representative for FIMRC, volunteering at Voorhees pediatric clinic. There I read to and played with sick kids from underserved areas. During my time there, I was asked to conduct several informational tours of the school and the biomedical program to new incoming students. I cherish these memories because I never thought I would be given such an opportunity to teach and learn at the same time.

The professors at GSBS were very professional and they knew the content they were teaching well. They were helpful in providing the answers to any questions I had. Several professors wrote me exceptional recommendation letters whether it was for work or school. Rowan GSBS professors really put their students before themselves, going out of their way to help them. The professors are usually conducting their own research which gives students opportunities to work with them. Professors tend to be flexible in working around students’ lab schedules, even for those students who simply want to shadow and gain some research experience. I did an independent research study with one of the professors there. He proofread my work and walked me, step by step, through the research process.

I learned many skills from such professors that I’ve been able to apply to my daily life. These skills helped me strive to reach my career goals, and to get accepted on the Doctor of Health Science program. The knowledge, skills, and values I learned at Rowan GSBS will always remain close to my heart and the memories are ones I will always treasure. I often talk about my experience at Rowan GSBS with friends and family and looking back, I can definitely say I’m a proud alumni.

Venessa Heath
Master of Biomedical Science, 2014
Physician Assistant, 2017

When I applied to UMDNJ’s (Now Rowan) GSBS program, I didn’t think I would get in; thankfully I did. I attended from September 2012-May 2014. Of course, school is school and there are always going to be stressful times. However, what I will be forever grateful for is that I learned how to study. Up until that point I would do what other classmates would do to prepare for exams or projects. I was so grateful to have gotten into GSBS that I didn’t want to take the opportunity for granted; I wanted to be a great student. I learned how to study, figured out what worked best for me, and that I had what it took to succeed in taking master’s level courses.

I graduated summa cum laude. It gave me the confidence that I needed to apply to, get accepted to, and succeed in PA school. I graduated with honors from PA school and I attribute my success to GSBS. I met some of the best professors, two of which are Dr. Carl Hock and Dr. Deb Podolin-Whiting (who I’m still friends with today). Rowan’s GSBS is also where I met some of my best friends. I can’t say it enough, I will be forever grateful for my experience at GSBS.