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Honorary Degrees
Among her initiatives were the $55 million Higher Education Technology Act and the $240 million Higher Education Facilities Trust Fund. Her administration also funded the Violence Institute of New Jersey at UMDNJ and provided $78 million for a new International Center for Public Health, which will be located at University Heights Science Park in Newark.
Jordan J. Cohen, MD, president of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), was honored with a Doctor of Science, honoris causa, for his longstanding commitment to excellence in academic medicine. He has published more than 100 journal articles on renal physiology and acid-based metabolism, and for 20 years, was the editor of Kidney International's Nephrology Forum. In 1989, he became dean of the School of Medicine at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and in 1994, was elected president of the AAMC.
Also honored was Jerry Joseph Buccafusco, PhD, professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the Medical College of Georgia, who was given the University's Distinguished Alumnus Award. He received his doctoral degree in pharmacology from UMDNJ-Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in 1978, and is internationally recognized for his research on Alzheimer's disease and Gulf War Syndrome. He created the Alzheimer's Research Center and is director of the neuropharmacy laboratory at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, both in Augusta.
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Noteworthy Graduates
Every graduating student has a story to tell. Some health care professionals achieve their goals early by forging a straight path to UMDNJ's door, while others get here a little later. Most graduates, including those listed below, agree that the journey, short or long, is worth it. Marilyn Hoch Jones of Hewitt owned a farrier (horseshoeing) business for 12 years before pursuing a master's degree in physical therapy from UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions. "Shoeing horses is strenuous work," she said. "I decided to become a physical therapist before I needed one." She plans to work with horses and humans in hippotherapy, a treatment that uses horseback riding as muscle strengthening therapy for people with traumatic brain injuries, cerebral palsy and central nervous system disorders. Rochelle Elizabeth Haas of East Brunswick, wanted a career in medicine for two reasons: Her father and a brother are both radiologists, and her twin brother, Edward, was born with cerebral palsy. The UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School graduate plans a career that will combine pediatrics and physical medicine and rehabilitation. She will do her residency at the Thomas Jefferson School of Medicine in Philadelphia. Her twin brother is now a student at the University of Virginia Law School. Winifred Fong, of Metuchen, was working on a master's degree in architectural conservation and restoration when she had a change of heart and decided to pursue a career in medicine instead. A graduate of UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, she will do her residency in surgery at the University of Maryland. Jorgé Romeu-Velez of Edison, was promoted to the rank of captain in the US Army before his graduation from UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. The father of two is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, where he received a bronze star for meritorious service. He will do a pediatric residency at Brook Army Medical Center (Fort Sam Houston) in San Antonio, Texas. His wrestling fans call him "Devon Storm," but at UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions, where he received a bachelor of physical therapy degree, he is known as Christopher Ford. After undergoing physical therapy for knee injuries, the Rutherford resident developed an interest in medicine. He wants to be a physical therapist for the World Wrestling Federation. He had his first professional match last year. Identical twins Sharon and Debra Barnes of Old Bridge, graduates of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, plan to do their residencies in the same field - pediatrics - and at the same hospital - Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. |
Governor Christine Todd Whitman was honored with the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris
causa, at the University's commencement exercises, held May 20 in Camden. She was
recognized for her support of higher education, urban initiatives and health care
legislation.
