Save the Date

May 7, 2025 | 6PM
Park Château Estate & Gardens, East Brunswick, NJ

The 2025 EJI Excellence in Medicine Awards™ Ceremony is approaching.
We hope you will join us in celebrating New Jersey’s exemplary healthcare community.

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The EJI Excellence in Medicine Awards™ will be held on May 7th, 2025, at the Park Château Estate and Gardens in East Brunswick, NJ. We hope that you will join us as we celebrate the inspiring individuals who make the healthcare community so innovative and exceptional. We look forward to seeing you there!

We also want to sincerely thank our sponsors and donors – those who have donated in the past and those who plan to donate this year in support of the EJI Excellence in Medicine Scholarship Fund.

Stay Up-to-Date

Stay informed and receive email reminders and updates as we near our event date on May 7th.

Introducing our Hosts

Steve Adubato, PhD

Emmy Award-winning Anchor
Author, “Lessons In Leadership 2.0: The Tough Stuff”

Patricia A. Costante

Founding Member
EJI Excellence in Medicine Fund

Thank You for Funding the Future of Healthcare

We are so thankful for your continued generosity. With the help of our donors and Honor Roll Scholarship sponsors, EJI Excellence in Medicine is able to provide scholarships to medical, dental, pharmacy and physician assistant students in New Jersey schools.

Honoring the Inspired

The field of healthcare requires a great deal of dedication and resolve. It is a profession where both finding—and being—an inspiration is vital. It is this inspiration that drives healthcare leaders to provide extraordinary care, to innovate for better outcomes and to act as mentors to new generations of healthcare personnel. To be inspiring is to lead by example, fostering a culture of excellence and empathy that uplifts colleagues, patients, and future professionals.

All of these qualities fuel progress and ensure that the future of healthcare continues to grow and evolve for the benefit of all. The 2025 EJI Awards are in honor of those who inspire us and those around them.

Get Involved, Give Back

We rely on your help to aid the students of today in reaching their goals to become the healthcare leaders of tomorrow. Please consider making a donation and help make a difference in New Jersey healthcare students’ lives.

Make a Donation

From Aspirations to Action

Watch this year’s honorees and scholarship recipients speak about the landscape of healthcare in New Jersey, how the industry continues to evolve, what motivates them, and more.

What Drives Us: The Inspiration Behind Medicine

Mentorship: How Guidance Shapes the Next Generation

Student Perspectives: Moments of Impact

Honoree Perspectives: The Strength of a Community

2025 EJI Award Recipients

This year, we are excited to honor 6 extraordinary leaders in healthcare.
You can learn more about each of our honorees below.

Shawna Hudson, PhD, FSBM

Peter W. Rodino, Jr. Citizen’s Award

Bill Arnold, MHA

Outstanding Healthcare Executive Award

Nicole Harris-Hollingsworth, EdD, MCHES

Verice M. Mason Community Service Leader Award

Amy P. Murtha, MD

EJI Physician’s Award

David Alland, MD, MSc, DTM&H, FAAM

Outstanding Scientist Award

Kim E. Fenesy, DMD

Outstanding Medical Educator Award

Watch the Interviews with Our 2024 Honorees

We love speaking with our honorees each year—these interviews allow us to better understand their thoughts on the healthcare industry and what issues are specifically impacting New Jersey’s healthcare leaders.

Andy Anderson, MD, MBA

Bart Oates

Carmela Rocchetti, MD

Marc Klapholz, MD, MBA, FACC, FAHA

Martin Blaser, MD

Matthew Neiditch, PhD

2025 EJI Scholarship Recipients

In addition to our honorees, we are also pleased to be celebrating 10 talented students entering their respective fields in 2025. Congratulations to all our EJI Scholarship recipients!

You can read about each of our scholarship recipients below.

Caroline Gutowski

Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Class of 2025

Destiney Carter

Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Class of 2025

Matthew Amador

Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
Class of 2025

Melissa Rehr

Rutgers School of Health Professions
Physician Assistant Program, Class of 2025

Alioune Diane

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Class of 2025

Naomi Watkins-Granville

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Class of 2025

Liam McLoughlin

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Class of 2025

Kate Fontes

Seton Hall University School of Health and Medical Sciences, Physician Assistant Program
Class of 2025

Eric Dodgson

Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
Class of 2025

Zoe Tenny

Fairleigh Dickinson University
Physician Assistant Program, Class of 2025

FAQs

Check to be made out to: New Jersey Health Foundation
Mail to:
EJI Excellence in Medicine Scholarship Fund
New Jersey Health Foundation
155 Village Blvd., Suite 130
Princeton, NJ 08540

New Jersey Health Foundation is proud to assume the management of the EJI Excellence in Medicine Awards™ and related scholarship fund beginning in late 2023 expanding its commitment to support advances in health research, innovation and education in New Jersey.

New Jersey Health Foundation (NJHF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2002. Through its Annual Grant Program NJHF supports research, community health and social service programs. NJHF also manages over 300 endowments providing annual funding to support health related research, educational programs and health related scholarships through donor directed distributions.

You will receive a confirmation once you make a purchase for the event. You will not receive an actual ticket, but rather your name will be held at the door.

The address is: 678 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816. More detailed travel directions based on location can be found here.

Hotel accommodations are available at the Château Grande Hotel, located right next door to the Park Château, at 670 Cranbury Rd, East Brunswick, NJ. Reserve online here or call 732-724-4600.

Proudly sponsored by

Kim E. Fenesy, DMD

Outstanding Medical Educator Award

After six years as a medical illustrator, Dr. Fenesy  graduated from Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (formerly NJDS) in 1986 and was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Epsilon National Dental Honor Society. She completed her postgraduate specialty training in periodontics in Boston, returned to NJ for private practice and to join RSDM’s faculty forging a career path in academia. She has held numerous administrative Deans positions in Academic & Student Affairs, and in 2016 was appointed Vice Dean. Her contributions towards innovative programs include student support and pathway programs and building interprofessional education. For Rutgers Health, Dr. Fenesy was asked to Co-Chair the IPE Strategic Planning Committee and submit a final curricular plan. Her strong IPE focus, has resulted in appointments to Rutgers University’s inaugural IPE Faculty Advisory Committee and on the national level, she just completed a two+ year appointment to IPEC, resulting in the 2023  IPEC Core Competencies for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice: Version 3 used by most health professions schools in the U.S.  She was awarded a 2.5M HRSA grant for the “Special Populations Interprofessional Care Experiences” (SPICE) program, which formed the foundation for the 4-year dental school IPE experiences, and major scaffolding for other health professions involved: medicine, nursing, nutrition, pharmacy,  public health and social work, whose collaboration positively impacted patient care particularly for the vulnerable, underserved, special needs populations. Her 36 years in dental education have resulted in recognition awards, including the Chair of the ADEA Board of Directors Citation “for significant contributions to dental education.”

David Alland, MD, MSc, DTM&H, FAAM

Outstanding Scientist Award

Dr. Alland is a Professor of Medicine and the Chief of Infectious Disease as well as the Director of the Public Health Research Institute, the Rutgers Regional Biocontainment Laboratories, and the Center for COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Dr. Alland is internationally recognized for his pioneering work on the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and molecular evolution of M. tuberculosis (Mtb). His epidemiologic studies in the 1990s showed that drug resistant Mtb was being transmitted in institutions and the community, impacting national TB control efforts. He then led a 10-year research effort that culminated in the development of the Xpert MTB/RIF Assay, the first on-demand, point-of-care TB test, and the first replacement for the acid-fast smear to diagnose TB in over 100 years, recommended by the WHO and now used in 130 countries. This work continues in the development of rapid diagnostics for extended TB drug resistance, and blood stream detection of bioterrorism agents, S. aureus, and Candida species, and more recently in the development of several rapid tests for COVID-19 and SARS CoV2 variants of concern.

Focusing on drug resistance mechanisms, Dr. Aland described the Mtb iniBAC operon as the first genetic cause of Mtb drug tolerance, subsequently showing that phase variation in the Mtb glpK gene produced heritable, but rapidly reversible multi-drug tolerance; and suggested that phase variation may explain why TB requires months of multi-drug treatment. He developed extremely-accurate de-novo whole genome assembly tools as an aid to unraveling the multitude of ways clinical Mtb strains encode their varied drug resistance and tolerance phenotypes and showed that small phenotypic changes in drug minimal inhibitory concentrations had large impacts on determining whether a patient with TB would be cured or relapse. Further studies in low level resistance led him to describe interactions of mutations in the Mtb embB, Rv3806c and Rv3792 genes in the evolution of ethambutol resistance. He then translated these observations into innovative drug screens for inhibitors of cell wall biosynthesis and respiration, discovering novel drug candidates targeting Mtb Pks13, KasA and MenG. The KasA inhibitor, further developed as JSF-3285 in collaboration with the Freundlich laboratory, has shown outstanding activity in the mouse relapse model and is now entering IND enabling studies. Dr. Alland’s most recent work has focused on dissecting the phenotypes of bacterial subpopulations in heterologous cultures.

Selected active grants as Principal Investigator or MPI:

R01AI146194. Genetic, Metabolic and Regulatory Control of MIC and Relapse in Mtb. U19AI162598. Bacterial and Host Heterogeneity in TB latency, persistence and progression. R01AI152159. Novel and Optimized Diagnostics for Pediatric TB. U01AI152084. FEND for TB.

R01AI182257. Point of care detection of fluroquinolone, bedaquiline and linezolid resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis for rapid treatment decisions. R01AI176399. Nanoreactor beads for POC TB resistance testing. R01AI148437. Simple and rapid POC detection of fungemia.

Representative publications:

  1. Alland D, et al., Transmission of tuberculosis in New York City. An analysis by DNA fingerprinting and conventional epidemiologic methods. N Engl J Med. 1994;330(24):1710-6.
  2. Boehme CC, et al. Rapid molecular detection of TB and rifampin resistance. N Engl J Med. 2010;363(11):1005-15.
  3. Safi H, et al., Evolution of high-level ethambutol-resistant tuberculosis through interacting mutations in decaprenylphosphoryl-β-D-arabinose biosynthetic and utilization pathway genes. Nat Genet. 2013;45(10):1190-7.
  4. Colangeli R, et al., Bacterial factors that predict relapse after anti-tuberculosis therapy. N Engl J Med. 2018;379(9):823-833.
  5. Safi H, et al., Phase variation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis glpK produces transiently heritable drug tolerance. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019;116(39):19665-19674. 6. Chitale P, et al, A comprehensive update to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv reference genome. Nat Commun. 2022;13(1):7

Amy P. Murtha, MD

EJI Physician’s Award

Amy P. Murtha, MD, an accomplished researcher and maternal-fetal medicine specialist, joined Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School as dean in August 2022. Her research and clinical work focus on caring for complicated pregnancies and on identifying the best ways to diagnose and care for patients at risk for preterm birth, particularly for pregnancies complicated by the premature rupture of fetal membranes.

Dr. Murtha served as professor and chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and chief medical officer of Women's Health at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), before becoming dean. As chair, she increased support for faculty researchers and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, led the rapid establishment of two national registries focused on COVID in pregnancy.

After earning her medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania, Dr. Murtha completed residency training in obstetrics and gynecology and fellowship training in maternal-fetal medicine at Duke University. She joined the faculty at Duke, where her career as a translational scientist focused on fetal membrane biology and its role in preterm premature rupture of membranes. During her tenure at Duke, Dr. Murtha assumed increasing leadership roles, including founder and course director of Duke Molecular Techniques Workshop (CRP 265), serving as interim chair of OB-GYN and vice chair for research; director of the Duke CTSI Research Career Development Harmonization Program; and program director for the NIH-funded K12 training grant Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health (BIRCWH), among other leadership positions. She is a frequent invited speaker at national and international symposia and is the recipient of numerous awards recognizing her research and leadership accomplishments.

As dean, Dr. Murtha leads the school's commitment to excellence in patient care and community health, ensures comprehensive medical training for our learners, promotes innovation in research across the school, and advances the equity and inclusion missions of the medical school. She serves as founding dean of the future Rutgers School of Medicine (RSOM), positioned to be one of the leading public medical schools in the country and a hub of biomedical and health sciences education, research, and clinical care.

Nicole Harris-Hollingsworth, EdD, MCHES

Verice M. Mason Community Service Leader Award

Nicole Harris-Hollingsworth, EdD, MCHES, is a senior health systems scientist and is the Senior Vice President, Social Determinants & Impact for the Hackensack Meridian Health network in New Jersey, where she leads the development and implementation of network wide social determinants of health strategy, stakeholder engagement interventions, and the development of community accessible resources across the network.

Dr. Harris-Hollingsworth’s interest areas include developing effective regional collaborations to increase health equity and increasing the use of shared decision making practices to facilitate community engaged research. She has authored and contributed to numerous articles and publications and is a frequent presenter at national and regional conferences for multiple organizations.

Dr. Nicole Harris-Hollingsworth has been recognized as a 2024 Becker’s Hospital Review Black Healthcare Leaders to Know, was the recipient of the 2023 Hackensack Meridian Health Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Impact Award for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, was recognized as 2022 Senior Health Executive of the Year by the National Association of Health Service Executives - New York Region, as a 2022 Modern Healthcare Top 25 Innovator, a 2022 NJBIZ Public Health Hero, and has been recognized by ROI-NJ in 2022 among ROI-NJ Influencers: Women in Business.

In addition to her work at Hackensack Meridian Health, Dr. Harris-Hollingsworth remains deeply committed to community service and serves as a member of the American Hospital Association Population and Community Health Advisory Committee, has served as a national grants reviewer for the Human Resources Services Administration, and serves on numerous community boards.

Bill Arnold, MHA

Outstanding Healthcare Executive Award

Bill Arnold, MHA is Executive Vice President, RWJBarnabas Health, and President of the Southern Region and Chief Executive Officer of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) and The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at RWJUH. As a senior leader at the largest and most comprehensive academic health system in New Jersey, Mr. Arnold is responsible for all patient care services and philanthropy for RWJBarnabas Health facilities in Middlesex, Somerset, Monmouth, Ocean and Mercer Counties.

As CEO of RWJUH, Mr. Arnold oversees all facets of the hospital’s academic medical services, including heart and vascular care, cancer care, neuroscience, orthopedics, heart, pancreas and kidney transplantation programs, advanced GI care, high-risk bariatric surgery and women’s and children’s health services. Working closely with the dean of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Mr. Arnold furthers clinical research, quaternary medical services and education to advance the RWJBarnabas Health academic health mission for New Jersey and the region.

Mr. Arnold has held leadership roles with RWJBarnabas Health since joining the system in 1994. He previously served as President and CEO of Monmouth Medical Center and The Unterberg Children’s Hospital, following multiple operational leadership roles there. Prior to joining Monmouth Medical Center, Mr. Arnold was Operations Manager with Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston and Administrative Director of Operations for Barnabas Health, where he has served in various capacities since 1994.

Mr. Arnold received his Bachelor of Science degree from Stetson University and his Master of Healthcare Administration from Seton Hall University. He has served on many internal and external boards and is the 2024 Chair of the New Jersey Hospital Association Board of Trustees. He also serves on the New Jersey Hospital Association Executive Committee, Executive Compensation Committee, Advisory Committee on Industry Direction, Committee on Nominations, Health Research and Education Trust of New Jersey, and Healthcare Business Solutions Boards.  He is a member and Past Chair of the Board of Directors of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Tinton Falls, the Visiting Nurse Association Health Group, and the RWJBarnabas Health Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation.

Mr. Arnold was recognized as an Academic Medical Center CEO to Know by Becker’s Hospital Review in 2023 and 2024. He has also received the Distinguished Service Award from The American College of Healthcare Executives – NJ Chapter.

Shawna Hudson, PhD, FSBM

Peter W. Rodino, Jr. Citizen’s Award

Dr. Shawna Hudson holds the Henry Rutgers Chair of Family Medicine and Community Health and is the Senior Associate Dean for Population Health Research at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.  She is a Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health.  She also serves as the school’s founding Director of the Center Advancing Research and Evaluation for Person-Centered Care (CARE-PC).  Dr. Hudson is Vice Chancellor for Dissemination and Implementation Science for Rutgers Health and Associate Director of the New Jersey Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science (NJ ACTS), a translational science consortium between Rutgers University, Princeton University, and New Jersey Institute of Technology.  She is an internationally recognized medical sociologist and leader committed to conducting community-engaged, health equity-focused research and cultivating trusted community partnerships to advance healthcare, health equity, and patient outcomes.

A three-time Rutgers University graduate, Dr. Hudson completed post-doctoral training as a New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research Fellow. She is renowned for her influential work on the role of primary care in long-term follow-up care for cancer survivors. She co-authored National Academies of Science and Engineeringreports on Implementing High Quality Primary Care: Rebuilding the Foundation of Health Care and Achieving Whole Health: A New Approach for Veterans and the Nation.  She is an elected fellow of the Society of Behavioral Medicine and the National Academy of Medicine. Dr. Hudson leads and collaborates on multiple National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute-funded studies.  She directs the Agency for Health Care Quality and Research funded New Jersey–based Learning Health System Embedded Scientist Training and Research (LHS E-STaR) Center, which trains the next generation of scholars to evaluate and improve patient-centered care. She has authored over 130 peer reviewed research publications. She serves as a reviewer for multiple study sections for the National Institutes of Health and private foundations such as the American Cancer Society and Stand Up To Cancer. She enjoys mentoring students, fellows, and junior faculty in research and helping them to achieve their goals to become independent investigators.

Zoe Tenny

Fairleigh Dickinson University
Physician Assistant Program, Class of 2025

Zoe Tenny grew up in Summit, NJ, alongside her parents and two older sisters. She attended the University of Connecticut, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Sciences in 2022. From a young age, Zoe had a natural inclination toward caregiving, whether nurturing her dolls as a child or supporting those around her. This innate compassion, combined with her interest in science and medicine, led her to pursue a career in healthcare. 

During her time at UConn, Zoe was a dedicated member of the Dance Team, performing at football and basketball games and embracing the camaraderie and discipline that come with collegiate athletics. She also immersed herself in various healthcare roles, gaining hands-on experience as a clinical research associate intern, an emergency department medical scribe, and a medical assistant in an outpatient office. Through these experiences, she discovered her passion for patient care and the role of physician assistants in the healthcare team, leading her to pursue PA school. 

Zoe is currently a physician assistant student at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Florham Park, NJ, where she has excelled academically and demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership and mentorship. She serves as a member of the admissions committee and as a mentor to students in the class below her, providing guidance and support to help shape the next generation of PAs. Her favorite clinical rotations have been in family medicine and women’s health, inspiring her to pursue electives in both specialties to deepen her expertise. She values the continuity of care and meaningful patient-provider relationships that these fields offer and hopes to build a career in one of these specialties. 

Beyond clinical practice, Zoe is passionate about education and envisions a future where she not only provides exceptional patient care but also returns to academics to teach and mentor aspiring physician assistants. Zoe is honored to be a recipient of this scholarship, which will help her continue on her journey to becoming a compassionate and skilled healthcare provider. 

Eric Dodgson

Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
Class of 2025

Eric Dodgson is a fourth-year pharmacy student from Toms River, NJ. After high school, Eric felt pharmacy was the career path for him, enrolling in the Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy’s accelerated program to complete his doctoral education in 6 years. His love of science, combined with his desire to serve and improve the lives of others, solidified his choice to pursue pharmacy. During his time at Rutgers, Eric was involved with a variety of organizations, serving as the Secretary of the Rho Chi Honors Society, an Ambassador for the Pharmacy school, and a member of the Drug Information Association, among other activities. Outside of the pharmacy school, Eric was also an active member of the “Riot Squad” and was often found at various sporting events cheering on his fellow Scarlet Knights.

Currently, Eric is completing his final year at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, participating in his Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences. Outside of these experiences, Eric has served as a peer mentor for younger pharmacy students. Eric is always available to discuss his experience with those around him and provide the tips and tricks to succeed throughout the difficult pharmacy curriculum. Aside from his formal student mentees, Eric’s participation in Rho Chi also highlights his drive to help his fellow students. One of the organizations largest events every semester is their “How to Survive” series. In these events, Eric along with his Rho Chi colleagues would go through each course that the first- and second-year students would be taking in order to offer the tools to help each student succeed.

In the future, Eric plans on pursuing a PGY1 Residency with the goal of becoming a Clinical Pharmacist specializing in either Infectious Disease or Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. In these roles, Eric hopes to serve as an asset, not only the healthcare team but his patients as well. He also hopes to grow his passion for education and serve as a clinical faculty member and preceptor to educate future generations of pharmacists.  Outside of the clinical world, Eric enjoys skiing, fishing, and playing disc golf. He is also an avid New York sports fan and can often be found cheering on the Giants and Yankees at every chance he gets.

Kate Fontes

Seton Hall University School of Health and Medical Sciences, Physician Assistant Program
Class of 2025

Kate Fontes can hardly contain her excitement to begin serving her community as a Physician Assistant (PA). Raised in Sparta, New Jersey, Kate would not be where she is today if not for the love of her supportive family and the vast number of opportunities provided by her hometown. At just 15 years old, Kate discovered her passion for service through her work with Pass it Along. As a Service Corp Member for her county’s nonprofit organization, dedicated to supporting underserved communities throughout New Jersey, she has spearheaded numerous service projects. Whether it's the infectious joy and laughter at a program where adults with developmental disabilities play sports with volunteers, or the smiles of families receiving hot meals at local soup kitchens, some of her most cherished memories have been with Pass it Along. What she values most, however, is the opportunity this program has given her to connect with diverse populations. She not only helped facilitate two Veteran Stand Downs, providing homeless veterans with clothing, haircuts, medical exams, and counseling, but also spent nearly 10 years mentoring at-risk youth ages 5-18 in Newark, New Jersey, through a program called Tilly’s Kids. Community service sparked a passion in Kate at a young age, and she feels incredibly fortunate to continue serving others on a larger scale as a PA.

Kate is moments away from completing her 6-year Dual Degree Physician Assistant Program at Seton Hall University. After earning her bachelor’s degree in biology in just 3 years, she maintained a GPA of 3.912 and proudly graduated summa cum laude. She has carried this drive and dedication into graduate school, where she has achieved a GPA of 3.765. Out of the 63 students in her class, she was selected by the faculty as one of only four Graduate Assistants. This role has been especially meaningful to Kate, as she has had the privilege of tutoring students across all three years of the program. Beyond her academic achievements, Kate serves as the Secretary for the Physician Assistant Student Society at Seton Hall University (PASSSHU), working closely with the Service and Diversity Chairs. Together, she and her classmates volunteered at the NJ Food Bank in Hillside, spent Saturday mornings at the Adler Aphasia Center in Maywood, and hosted blood drives on campus in collaboration with New Jersey Blood Services. Her favorite initiative during PA school, however, has been Project Access, a program designed to encourage high school students from minoritized backgrounds to pursue the physician assistant profession. In her free time, Kate enjoys spending time with family and friends (especially at the Jersey Shore), reading a good book, and traveling.

Throughout her clinical rotations, Kate has developed a passion for palliative medicine, women’s health, and primary care. While she is not yet certain which specialty she will pursue, she has always been certain of one thing: Kate wants to be a physician assistant who uses her clinical skills and love of service to make a meaningful impact in the diverse, underserved communities of New Jersey.

Liam McLoughlin

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Class of 2025

Liam McLoughlin was born and raised in Long Valley, New Jersey, as part of a close-knit Irish family alongside his two younger brothers. He graduated from West Morris Central High School before attending the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. There, he majored in Biology, minored in Public Health, and completed the pre-med track. Beyond academics, Liam demonstrated strong leadership as president of the Interfraternity Council, an orientation leader, and an interviewer and tour guide for the Office of Admissions. Graduating summa cum laude in January 2020, he was honored with the Cypher Award for exemplifying William & Mary’s core values and was inducted to the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society.

During his gap year, Liam returned to New Jersey and actively contributed to his community during the pandemic. He served as a volunteer EMT with the Long Valley First Aid Squad and worked as a medical scribe in the Emergency Department at Morristown Medical Center—experiences that deepened his passion for emergency medicine. He applied early decision to New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) and was thrilled to gain admission in the fall of 2021.

At NJMS, Liam excelled academically while immersing himself in leadership and medical education. As President of the NJMS Student Council, he championed student advocacy and strengthened relationships with the university administration. His passion for medical education is reflected in his curriculum-based research, participation in the Clinical Skills Teaching Assistant and Abdominal Ultrasound TA programs, and service on multiple NJMS committees. For his dedication, Liam will graduate with a Distinction in Medical Education. Recognized by his peers, he was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society and the NJMS chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha for his academic excellence and contributions to the medical school community. Throughout medical school, he remained committed to service, continuing to volunteer with the Long Valley First Aid Squad.

Beyond medicine, Liam finds joy at the Jersey Shore, exploring new restaurants and coffee shops, and knitting blankets for friends and family. He remains deeply grateful to his family, friends, and mentors for their unwavering support. This July, Liam will begin his Emergency Medicine Residency and is eager to embrace this next chapter in his journey.

Naomi Watkins-Granville

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Class of 2025

Naomi Watkins-Granville was born in Trenton, New Jersey. She experienced most of her younger childhood in Trenton through activities such as basketball, karate, church. She went to high school in Florence, NJ where she fell in love with Biology. This led to her pursuing a degree in Biology from Rutgers University. Reflecting on her experiences in Trenton around her grandmother who passed away from breast cancer at a late stage as well as the experiences of her mother and aunts navigating the healthcare system, she quickly became interested in women’s health. She knew that she wanted to lead a healthcare team as a physician; to be an advocate for women and remind them that their health is paramount. 

After graduating from Rutgers, Naomi went to graduate school at NYU and obtained a Master’s Degree in Biology while also maintaining jobs as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and a Medical Scribe. After graduating with her Master’s Degree, she worked as a Clinical Care Technician and Ambulatory Technician while studying for the MCAT. In her final gap year before medical school, she fell in love with surgery through filling in for a position as an OR administrator while continuing her Tech jobs. She knew before entering medical school that she wanted to merge her interests of surgery, women’s health and health equity as a Breast Surgical Oncologist. Naomi is passionate about creating a future that has more accessible, comprehensive, and equitable breast care. She plans to do research in the breast oncology and public health spaces with the hope of helping to eliminate the disparities that exist with breast cancer and minority women. She also aims to provide general surgery consultations and services to underserved populations. 

Naomi is currently a 4th year medical student at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine. She has held various leadership positions. Some of the leadership positions include, President of the American Medical Women’s Association, Vice-President of Association of Women Surgeons, and Social Media and Marketing Chair of The Black Collective. She also served as 1st Vice-President of the Student Government Association. She is currently a Peer Tutor and Student Ambassador. Naomi is a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society and Sigma Sigma Phi National Osteopathic Honorary Society. She is also the creator of the Pre-Med Surgical Camp for Underrepresented Minorities in Medicine (URiM) Pre-Medical students to gain interest in the surgical specialties. Naomi is also the recipient of awards for Translating Osteopathic Understanding into Community Health (TOUCH) hours. She continues to connect further with the community as the Co-Founder and Secretary of Brown Girl Society, Inc., a social service organization that provides mentorship and career guidance to young women from underserved communities. During her free time she likes weightlifting, trying new recipes, traveling, watching and playing basketball, and just relaxing with her dog, family and friends! 

Alioune Diane

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Class of 2025

Alioune Diane, a first-generation Senegalese American, was raised in Weehawken, New Jersey. His path to medicine was shaped by both personal experiences and a deep fascination with biomechanics and injury prevention. Witnessing his father suffer a severe ankle fracture, Alioune saw firsthand the profound impact of skilled, compassionate medical care. This experience, along with his three years as an orthopaedic clinical research assistant, sparked his initial interest in the field. However, it was during the summer after his first year of medical school that his passion for orthopaedic surgery was fully realized. Selected from over 450 applicants, he spent eight weeks working closely with an orthopaedic surgery mentor, assisting in both clinic and the operating room. Observing and participating in primary and revision hip and knee replacements, he was mesmerized by the transformation patients experienced—going from immobilization to walking within hours of surgery. The seamless integration of preoperative planning, radiographic imaging, intraoperative precision, and postoperative care solidified his love for the field, showcasing the life-altering outcomes possible through a well-trained surgical team. 

During medical school at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Alioune distinguished himself as a leader in orthopaedic education and advocacy. As president of the Orthopedic Surgery Interest Group (OSIG), he and his executive board helped establish and develop an orthopaedic curriculum and non-credit elective for students interested in the field. He started the first Orthopaedic OR Shadowing program and also contributed to launching the first RWJMS Orthopaedic Surgery Summer Immersion Program, both providing early exposure to musculoskeletal medicine. Additionally, he co-founded the Financial Literacy Interest Group, helping future physicians navigate financial challenges in medicine. His dedication to scholarship, mentorship, and leadership led to his induction into Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA). 

Alioune plans to begin orthopaedic surgery residency this June, with aspirations to decide which subspecialty to pursue, whether that be adult reconstruction or sports medicine surgery. Passionate about increasing diversity in orthopaedics, he aims to mentor underrepresented students interested in surgical careers. Beyond clinical practice in the U.S., Alioune is committed to expanding access to quality orthopaedic care in Senegambia, his parents' home country. As a future expert in the field, he hopes to establish sustainable orthopaedic services to provide optimal musculoskeletal care to underserved communities in the region.  Outside of medicine, Alioune enjoys spending time with his family and dog, Tito, playing board games, basketball, traveling, and exploring new cuisines.

Melissa Rehr

Rutgers School of Health Professions
Physician Assistant Program, Class of 2025

Melissa Rehr was born in Long Branch, NJ and raised in Marlboro NJ. From 2012-2019, she attended Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT pursuing and completing her degree in Doctor of Physical Therapy. Melissa was involved in campus life through her sorority, as a member of the executive board. Her job as a parent’s helper for a family of three children, including one with cerebral palsy, gives her an opportunity to engage in activities off campus as well.  During her time in PT school, Melissa always had an interest in medicine, thoroughly enjoying her neuroanatomy and differential diagnosis courses. Following graduation from Quinnipiac University with her DPT, Melissa worked at JFK-Johnson Rehabilitation Institute on the acute inpatient rehabilitation unit and acute brain trauma unit for 2.5 years. Just as she was starting her career, the COVID-19 pandemic began and changed how she viewed physical therapy and healthcare. In early 2021, she volunteered to be deployed to the intensive care unit as part of the proning team. This is where Melissa found her passion for critical care medicine and decided to pursue a career as a physician assistant. 

Melissa is currently a 3rd year physician assistant student at Rutgers University located in New Brunswick NJ. Outside of clinical rotations and studying, she volunteers at the H.O.P.E. clinic with the Rutgers PA faculty and medical director. At this clinic she works with the underserved population to provide medical care. Additionally, Melissa enjoys being a mentor to a second year PA student, offering guidance through the rigorous didactic portion of PA school. Being a part of inter-professional events has been a highlight of the program and this year she was invited to participate in developing a set of inter-professional videos through the Office of Inter-professional Programs to educate on the roles, responsibilities, and scope of practice of Physician Assistants. Lastly, Melissa maintains her PT skills by working per diem at JFK-Johnson Rehab Institute during her free time. The patient communication and mobility skills she learned as a PT along with the medical training as a PA will help drive her career in the intensive care unit.

In the future, Melissa plans to practice as an intensive care physician assistant with a focus in the neurologic or medical ICU. Hoping to continue her passion for education, she looks forward to being a preceptor to PA students and mentor to new PAs. In her free time, Melissa has a passion for exercise including running, strength training, and exercise classes or exploring the small towns along the Jersey shore. Being outdoors in all seasons is a priority, relaxing by the beach or hiking the trails in Vermont in warm weather or snowboarding and snowshoeing in the winter. Melissa is always active. Spending time with her family, boyfriend, and her friends from college and PA school is extremely important and usually centers around finding new coffee shops and cooking healthy meals.

Matthew Amador

Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
Class of 2025

 Matthew Amador was born in and raised in Totowa, New Jersey. He is the son of Peter and Lois Amador, and brother to his two older sisters Marisa and Meagan. Growing up Matthew spent most of his time outside of school playing baseball and football, experiences that shaped the work ethic and drive still evident today. His first experiences working in the field of dentistry were in high school where he frequently spent free afternoons assisting a local orthodontist. These early days of interacting with patients and seeing the way their lives could be changed by dentistry is what motivated a pursuit of the career. Throughout his time as an undergraduate student at Lehigh University, Matthew continued to develop the foundation of the doctor he hoped to be through volunteer work at local clinics in South Bethlehem and the nearby hospital. It was this time period while on breaks from school where he first observed and worked with oral surgeons; shortly after that Matthew began to see this is the field he would best be able to contribute to the lives of patients. 

Following his graduation from Lehigh University in 2019 Matthew made his way to Rutgers Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences to earn his Masters in Biomedical Sciences. What initially may have appeared as an unwanted extra step prior to dental school very quickly was revealed to be an extremely important moment for Matthew. It was in this graduate program where his true love and passion for science and medicine grew immensely, as well as a drive to share any gained knowledge with others. Coming from a family of multiple teachers, this is a skill that seemed to come naturally as he provided help to classmates during group study sessions or through peer tutoring services; something Matthew continued to do in his time at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. 

In his four years at RSDM, Matthew committed himself to growing his scientific and clinical knowledge, while also fostering skills of leadership and service. In his first and second year Matthew received the Certificate of Academic Excellence from RSDM’s branch of the National Dental Honor Society: an award given to the student in each class with the highest GPA. He was also a member of numerous committees including the school’s Curriculum Committee and Honor Council, and frequently participated in any opportunity to provide advice and motivation to younger classes. 

Matthew graduates from Rutgers School of Dental Medicine in May, after which he will be working as an oral surgery intern within Jersey City Medical Center’s GPR program for one year. In this time he will be applying to oral surgery residency programs. Through work in this field Matthew aims to develop a career of lifelong learning and teaching, with a commitment to excellent, compassionate clinical care that can bring patients comfort in times of serious need. 

Destiney Carter

Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Class of 2025

 Destiney was born in the Bronx, NY, as the middle child of three, to a family that deeply valued education and perseverance. Of Puerto Rican and African American heritage, she grew up immersed in a rich cultural background that shaped her identity and fueled her drive to uplift underrepresented communities. Her mother, a first-generation college graduate and physician, served as a profound inspiration, showcasing the power of dedication and resilience. Growing up, Destiney moved frequently along the East Coast while her mother completed her medical training, which taught her the importance of adaptability and shaped her ability to thrive in changing environments. These early experiences instilled in her a strong sense of determination and a desire to pursue a career where she could make a meaningful impact, particularly for those from underserved communities. 

Destiney attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. During her time at UNC, she became deeply involved in advocating for communities of color through organizations like the Black Student Movement and the Afro-Latinx Club. These spaces allowed her to connect with like-minded peers and further solidified her commitment to uplifting underrepresented groups. Balancing her academic pursuits with extracurricular activities, including being part of a hip-hop dance team and the gospel choir, Destiney maintained a place on the Dean’s List all four years and was honored with the Hayden B. Renwick Award for academic excellence as a student of color. Despite facing setbacks, such as not being accepted to medical school on her first attempt, she remained determined. She worked as a medical assistant during the COVID-19 pandemic, an experience that reaffirmed her passion for medicine and ultimately led to her acceptance into Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. 

During medical school, her passion for serving communities of color has only grown stronger. As the student leader of the Black Medical Student Association, she worked to create a supportive environment for minority students. She also co-founded Physician for a Day, a pipeline program that exposes high school students of color to the medical field. Additionally, by transforming this initiative into research presented at local and national conferences, she demonstrated the significant impact of pipeline programs, with the hope of ultimately encouraging other medical schools to develop similar efforts. Now a fourth-year medical student, Destiney is pursuing her dream of becoming an OBGYN with a focus on advocating for women’s health and increasing diversity in medicine. Destiney aspires to be the kind of OBGYN who prioritizes the concerns of all her patients. She is excited to combine her dedication to women’s health with her commitment to diversity, ensuring that she not only provides exceptional care but also amplifies the voices of those who are frequently overlooked. Outside of medicine, you can find Destiney spending time with her family and friends, traveling, or trying out new restaurants. 

Caroline Gutowski

Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Class of 2025

Caroline Gutowski was raised in Montclair, NJ and attended Mount Saint Dominic Academy for high school. She attended Southern Methodist University on a full-tuition scholarship through the Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt Leadership Scholars program. She graduated magna cum laude in 2021 with degrees in Biological Sciences and Health & Society. While at Southern Methodist University, she was president of her sorority and nominated into Phi Beta Kappa. Following graduation, she started medical school at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University in Camden.

Caroline is currently a fourth-year medical student at CMSRU. While at CMSRU, Caroline dedicated her time to serving the community of Camden, contributing to orthopaedic surgery research, and undertaking leadership roles. Service was an integral part of her medical education through her role on the executive board of Sidekicks, an organization that pairs medical students with Cooper pediatric hematology-oncology patients to serve as patient-advocates. She also spent Monday evenings volunteering with Young Lives Camden, a Christ centered group that provides support to young mothers as they navigate the obstacles of new parenthood. Between MS2 and MS3 year, she took her dedication to service abroad on a medical mission trip to Cuenca, Ecuador through Global Health Organization. Caroline also had the privilege of serving as president of the Orthopaedic Interest Group and vice-president of the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society medical school chapter at CMSRU. She also co-founded the Greater Philadelphia Orthopaedic Research Symposium for medical students in the area to showcase research and network with residency program leaders. She was recognized with Excellence in Community Service awards and induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society.

Looking towards the future, Caroline plans to complete orthopaedic surgery residency and fellowship. She strives to be a surgeon-scientist in an academic setting, where she can continue to foster her passion for research and education. Outside of medicine, Caroline enjoys running, spending time with family on Long Beach Island, and persevering as a loyal New York Giants fan.