A Publication for Alumni & Friends of
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
WINTER 2023
It is my pleasure to welcome you to this issue of Robert Wood Johnson Medicine — my first as dean — and share some of the latest news, innovative programs, and inspiring people who are bringing new ideas and outstanding services to our community and beyond.
In these pages, you’ll meet Partho Sengupta, MD (“Innovations in Cardiac Imaging: Ultrasound as the Ultimate Diagnostic Tool”), whose insatiable drive for innovation and inquiry helped lead to the establishment of the Center for Innovation, a joint project of the medical school and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital that aims to advance healthcare technology and clinical care. You’ll learn how Christoph Buettner, MD, PhD, is strengthening obesity- and diabetes-focused research in the Department of Medicine (“Understanding the Brain’s Role in Metabolism and Disease”) and how art is helping improve the patient experience (“Father-Daughter Duo Helping Heal Body and Mind”). And, you’ll see how one of our students is translating his passion for community service into promoting STEM among young students, inspiring future generations of scientists (“The Intersection of Science and Service”).
Alumnus Dr. Jonathan Reisman’s untraditional path in medicine has led him to practice in some of the world’s most remote places. Discover how he met those challenges and more while feeding his desire to serve and pair medicine with some of his other interests.
CEO of Trenton Health Center
Demi Alli, MD ’95: Driven to Improve Health Care and Outcomes for all
In her role as CEO, alumna Dr. Kemi Alli helped transform Trenton Health Center, nearly tripling its budget and adding an abundance of services and care to Trenton’s most vulnerable population. Learn more about her journey and what drives her.
Meet Dean Amy P. Murtha, MD
Dr. Amy Murtha took the reins as dean in August and is leading the medical school through a pivotal moment in its history. In this profile, learn more about Dr. Murtha’s vision, her experiences in medicine and research, and what led her back to the East Coast.
Innovations in Cardiac Imaging:
Ultrasound as the Ultimate Diagnostic Tool
The goal of cardiologist Partho Sengupta, MD, FACC, is to create a hub of innovation that leverages new technologies—including artificial intelligence and advanced imaging—to improve diagnosis, better tailor treatment, and, ultimately, improve patient outcomes.
Post-COVID Recovery Program Is Helping Individuals
Get Back on Their Journey to Wellness
From physical and cognitive rehabilitation to assisting with financial and social barriers to recovery, the Post-COVID Recovery Program is helping individuals with long-term COVID on the road back to wellness.
From Adoption Medicine to Solving Diagnostic Dilemmas, Expanded Pediatric Services Keeps Kids Close to Home for Care
Through innovative services like its international adoption clinic and diagnostic referral service, the Department of Pediatrics has ensured patients have access to state-of-the-art specialized care right at home.
Understanding the Brain’s Role in Metabolism and Disease
Christoph Buettner, MD, PhD, aims to advance knowledge of the brain’s function in obesity, metabolism, and related disorders through innovative diabetes-focused research.
Father-Daughter Duo Helping Heal
Body and Mind
Artist Dekran Merjanian and daughter Lena Merjanian, MD ’04, are touching the lives of patients in and
out of the exam room.
The Intersection of Science and Service:
Eddie Lu ‘24 Founded a Nonprofit
to Promote STEM for Young Learners
Future physician. Chief technical officer. Community outreach coordinator. Part-time barista.These are a few
of the roles that keep second-year student Edbert Lu busy, with service at the heart of it all.
About Robert Wood Johnson Medicine
A Publication for Alumni & Friends of
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
It is my pleasure to welcome you to this issue of Robert Wood Johnson Medicine — my first as dean — and share some of the latest news, innovative programs, and inspiring people who are bringing new ideas and outstanding services to our community and beyond.
In these pages, you’ll meet Partho Sengupta, MD (“Innovations in Cardiac Imaging: Ultrasound as the Ultimate Diagnostic Tool”), whose insatiable drive for innovation and inquiry helped lead to the establishment of the Center for Innovation, a joint project of the medical school and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital that aims to advance healthcare technology and clinical care. You’ll learn how Christoph Buettner, MD, PhD, is strengthening obesity- and diabetes-focused research in the Department of Medicine (“Understanding the Brain’s Role in Metabolism and Disease”) and how art is helping improve the patient experience (“Father-Daughter Duo Helping Heal Body and Mind”). And, you’ll see how one of our students is translating his passion for community service into promoting STEM among young students, inspiring future generations of scientists (“The Intersection of Science and Service”).
Alumnus Dr. Jonathan Reisman’s untraditional path in medicine has led him to practice in some of the world’s most remote places.
Discover how he met those challenges and more while feeding his desire to serve and pair medicine with some of his other
interests.
CEO of Trenton Health Center Demi Alli, MD ’95: Driven to Improve Health Care and Outcomes for all
In her role as CEO, alumna Dr. Kemi Alli helped transform Trenton Health Center, nearly tripling its budget and adding an abundance of services and care to Trenton’s most vulnerable population. Learn more about her journey and what drives her.
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Meet Dean Amy P. Murtha, MD
Dr. Amy Murtha took the reins as dean in August and is leading the medical school through a pivotal moment in its history. In this profile, learn more about Dr. Murtha’s vision, her experiences in medicine and research, and what led her back to the East Coast.
Innovations in Cardiac Imaging:
Ultrasound as the Ultimate Diagnostic Tool
The goal of cardiologist Partho Sengupta, MD, FACC, is to create a hub of innovation that leverages new technologies—including artificial intelligence and advanced imaging—to improve diagnosis, better tailor treatment, and, ultimately, improve patient outcomes.
Post-COVID Recovery Program Is Helping Individuals Get Back on Their Journey to Wellness
From physical and cognitive rehabilitation to assisting with financial and social barriers to recovery, the Post-COVID Recovery Program is helping individuals with long-term COVID on the road back to wellness.
From Adoption Medicine to Solving Diagnostic Dilemmas, Expanded Pediatric Services Keeps Kids Close to Home for Care
Through innovative services like its international adoption clinic and diagnostic referral service, the Department of Pediatrics has ensured patients have access to state-of-the-art specialized care right at home.
Understanding the Brain’s Role in Metabolism and Disease
Christoph Buettner, MD, PhD, aims to advance knowledge of the brain’s function in obesity, metabolism, and related disorders through innovative diabetes-focused research.
The Intersection of Science and Service: Eddie Lu ’24 Founded a Nonprofit to Promote STEM for Young Learners
Future physician. Chief technical officer. Community outreach coordinator. Part-time barista.These are a few
of the roles that keep second-year student Edbert Lu busy, with service at the heart of it all.
Father-Daughter Duo
Helping Heal Body and
Mind
Artist Dekran Merjanian and daughter Lena Merjanian, MD ’04, are touching the lives of patients in and out of the exam room.
About Robert Wood
Johnson Medicine
A Publication for Alumni & Friends of
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
It is my pleasure to welcome you to this issue of Robert Wood Johnson Medicine — my first as dean — and share some of the latest news, innovative programs, and inspiring people who are bringing new ideas and outstanding services to our community and beyond.
In these pages, you’ll meet Partho Sengupta, MD (“Innovations in Cardiac Imaging: Ultrasound as the Ultimate Diagnostic Tool”), whose insatiable drive for innovation and inquiry helped lead to the establishment of the Center for Innovation, a joint project of the medical school and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital that aims to advance healthcare technology and clinical care. You’ll learn how Christoph Buettner, MD, PhD, is strengthening obesity- and diabetes-focused research in the Department of Medicine (“Understanding the Brain’s Role in Metabolism and Disease”) and how art is helping improve the patient experience (“Father-Daughter Duo Helping Heal Body and Mind”). And, you’ll see how one of our students is translating his passion for community service into promoting STEM among young students, inspiring future generations of scientists (“The Intersection of Science and Service”).
Meet Dean Amy P. Murtha, MD
Dr. Amy Murtha took the reins as dean in August and is leading the medical school through a pivotal moment in its history. In this profile, learn more about Dr. Murtha’s vision, her experiences in medicine and research, and what led her back to the East Coast.
The goal of cardiologist Partho Sengupta, MD, FACC, is to create a hub of innovation that leverages new technologies—including artificial intelligence and advanced imaging—to improve diagnosis, better tailor treatment, and, ultimately, improve patient outcomes.
Innovations in Cardiac Imaging:
Ultrasound as the Ultimate Diagnostic Tool
From physical and cognitive rehabilitation to assisting with financial and social barriers to recovery, the Post-COVID Recovery Program is helping individuals with long-term COVID on the road back to wellness.
Post-COVID Recovery Program Is Helping Individuals Get Back on Their Journey to Wellness
From Adoption Medicine to Solving Diagnostic Dilemmas, Expanded Pediatric Services Keeps Kids Close to Home for Care
Through innovative services like its international adoption clinic and diagnostic referral service, the Department of Pediatrics has ensured patients have access to state-of-the-art specialized care right at home.
Christoph Buettner, MD, PhD, aims to advance knowledge of the brain’s function in obesity, metabolism, and related disorders through innovative diabetes-focused research.
Understanding the Brain’s Role in
Metabolism and Disease
Father-Daughter Duo Helping Heal Body and Mind
Artist Dekran Merjanian and daughter Lena Merjanian, MD ’04, are touching the lives of patients in and out of the exam room.
The Intersection of Science and Service: Eddie Lu ’24 Founded a Nonprofit to Promote STEM for Young Learners
Future physician. Chief technical officer. Community outreach coordinator. Part-time barista.These are a few
of the roles that keep second-year student Edbert Lu busy, with service at the heart of it all.
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