Medical School Expands, Adds Physician Assistant Program

The Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine's (SOM) Sewell campus held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last month to highlight new space for medical education and the launch of the school's Physician Assistant (PA) program.

The 12,400-square-foot, two-story expansion will serve both PA and osteopathic medical (DO) students. It will enable "broader anatomy education, clinical skills training, simulation-based learning and immersive technology" in a single learning environment, according to Rowan. The new space also holds the first virtual-reality lab at a U.S. osteopathic medical school.

Virtua President and CEO Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE, said the expansion represents an investment in the region's future health-care workforce. "I think what we have formed is perhaps the most comprehensive health care education ecosystem in the country..." he stated. Read in Rowan Today and watch on Virtua's Facebook page.

In the Headlines

N.J. Moves Up Flu Shot Deadline to Nov. 30 for Kids in Day Care
New Jersey requires all children attending preschools or day care centers in the state to have an annual flu shot, starting at 6 months old. This year, the state moved the cutoff date up a month, from Dec. 31 to Nov. 30. Virtua's Pediatric Mobile Services Program highlighted the change during one of its free flu-vaccine clinics last month. Listen on KYW Newsradio and watch on 6 ABC.

For the full schedule of free flu shots and other free services for kids and families, visit Virtua.org/MobilePeds.

Measles Cases Growing Among Pregnant Women
Pennsylvania has issued a warning as more pregnant women in the state have become infected with measles. Virtua's Dr. Sipika Tyagi, medical director of ob/gyn for Virtua Medical Group, discussed the severe risks to both mothers and babies. She advises women to make sure they're vaccinated before becoming pregnant, as pregnant women cannot receive the vaccine. Watch on NBC 10 and listen on KYW Newsradio.

Experts Share Insights on Eagles Star Jalen Hurts' Health
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been sidelined due to blood clots that traveled to both of his lungs. Dr. Eric Sztejman and Dr. Dominic Valentino, both Virtua pulmonologists, shared their knowledge as Hurts' situation evolved last month. Watch on Fox 29 and read by subscription in The Courier-Post.

Medtronic Collaborations in the Spotlight
Virtua and global firm Medtronic are partners on two initiatives that recently drew attention. Medtronic has been named to Fortune's "Change the World List" for two programs, including Healthy Neighbor—a health-equity innovation in collaboration with Virtua. Read by subscription in Fortune.

Additionally, Medtronic recently shared a story about the success of its Symplicity^TM blood pressure procedure, featuring Virtua interventional cardiologist Dr. Kintur Sanghvi and patient Yazmin Rodriguez. Read in The Minnesota Star Tribune.

Scuba-Diving Doctor Discusses His Two Related Passions
For Virtua's Dr. Marc Seelagy, scuba diving and pulmonology go hand in hand. Both his hobby and his profession focus on breathing. "It all ties together," he said, making him both a better doctor and a better diver. Read in Jersey's Best (select the 9/24/26 issue and scroll to page 90).

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