CONNECTING YOU WITH THE TOURO COMMUNITY TO SERVE. TO LEAD. TO TEACH.

ISSUE 5 Then SEPT 2019 &NOW WELCOME

As we commemorate Touro University Nevada’s 15th anniversary, it is important to DAY OF SERVICE celebrate and remember how much we’ve grown. Nearly 400 new Touro University Nevada students volunteered at non-profit organizations throughout the Las Vegas Valley during their ‘Day of Service.’ As part of orientation week, When Dr. Michael Harter was leading the efforts to bring this incredible university to the Las Vegas Valley in 2004, I was working to make life better for my fellow students from the Colleges of Health and Human Services and Osteopathic Medicine Nevadans as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. After leaving Congress spent the day giving back to the Southern Nevada community as part of the university’s in 2012, I wasn’t sure if I would be afforded another opportunity to help improve the commitment to social justice, intellectual pursuit, and service to humanity. lives of my fellow citizens.

Then Touro called. Dr. Harter was retiring and Touro was looking for a new CEO & Senior Provost. I thought they were asking me to be on the search committee, but they wanted me to take over the helm.

Since becoming CEO & Senior Provost five years ago, I’ve witnessed the tremendous growth of this wonderful institution. Our College of Osteopathic Medicine has expanded from 135 to 168 students; I’ve seen our PA program go from 60 to 80 students; our Masters in Medical Health Sciences Program double in size; and our School of Occupational Therapy transition from a masters level to a doctoral degree.

We have also secured three mobile healthcare clinics that provide services to our underserved populations, and much more.

It amazes me how far we’ve come since our humble beginnings, when our faculty, students, and staff needed to wear hard hats inside the building.

As we continue into the future, I want to thank everyone who has played a part in helping this university develop into what it’s become. We have grown tremendously since 2004, and I am confident that we will grow together as Touro University Nevada continues to be a leading and invaluable resource in our community.

Shelley Berkley CEO and Senior Provost 2 | Touro University Western Division TOURO YOU | 3 (FNP), and a Doctor of Nursing Practice The university also partnered with (DNP) degrees. Nevada State College (NSC) to offer an JOB GROWTH accelerated double-degree program. The School of Physical Therapy, which Following their junior year at NSC, Healthcare programs that accepts 40 doctoral students each year, selected students matriculate into Touro University Nevada offers prepares future physical therapists Touro as full time MHS students. At and their respective employment to enter a job market where Nevada the conclusion of their fourth year, HOT numbers, according to the ranks the highest in the nation with an students graduate with a dual degree PROGRAMS annual mean wage of nearly $108,000, of Bachelor of Science from NSC and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: according to the Labor Bureau. a Master of Science in Medical Health Science from Touro. PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT The university’s Masters of Science in Medical Health Sciences program “We are proud to offer quality Job Outlook, 2016-26: (MHS), which began with fewer than healthcare programs for the next 37% growth Touro University Nevada Offers Healthcare’s 10 students in 2009, now accepts 60 generation of practitioners,” Priest Most Sought-After Professions new students each year. Upon meeting said. “I am quite pleased that Touro specific criteria during the 11-month continues to be such a valuable asset NURSE PRACTITIONER MHS program, eligible students can to the Southern Nevada community as interview for Touro’s DO or PA programs. well as the rest of the country.” Job Outlook, 2016-26: Program Expansions in Line with Healthcare Industry’s Demands 31% growth

PHYSICAL THERAPIST According to the U.S. News and World part of a national growing interest Vegas valley and across the country. Report, three of Touro’s programs rank in osteopathy. According to the Touro’s medical school is accredited for Job Outlook, 2016-26: in the top-10 “Best Healthcare Jobs,” American Association of Colleges of 168 students each year, making it the 28% growth with physician assistant leading at Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), the largest medical school in the state of number one. Fall 2018 semester was the first time Nevada. that osteopathic medical students OCCUPATIONAL The programs that Touro offers within comprised 25% of all U.S. medical Upon graduation, more students are its College of Health and Human students. being accepted to local residency THERAPIST Services continue to address the positions and staying to serve our Job Outlook, 2016-26: need for more healthcare providers. Dr. Wolfgang Gilliar, Dean of the College community. In 2019, the College of According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor of Osteopathic Medicine, credits Osteopathic Medicine had a 100% 24% growth Statistics, physician assistants, physical the osteopathic philosophy and the placement rate for the first time, therapists, occupational therapists, and heightened interest of students in including more than 20% of graduates nurse practitioners all have expected osteopathic medicine as the catalysts who matched in Southern Nevada. PHYSICIAN job growth of at least 24% by 2026. for the profession’s continued growth. (MD AND DO): The School of Physician Assistant “There is significant demand for highly “The increasing number of osteopathic Studies (PA) is increasing its class size Job Outlook, 2016-26: qualified practitioners across the medical schools, particularly in areas from 60 to 80 students for the 2020 13% growth country, and we are providing that where there are no medical schools, school year, making it the largest PA education right here at Touro University created opportunities for students program in the state of Nevada. Nevada,” said Dr. Andrew Priest, Dean who never considered medicine as of the College of Health and Human an option,” he said. “The decision Touro’s School of Occupational Therapy Services. “The graduates from Touro will for a single accreditation system for transitioned to a doctorate-level play a pivotal role in healthcare as the residencies may have had program; and the School of Nursing medical landscape continues to evolve.” a positive impact on growth as well.” continues to offer strong online programs for RN-BSN, Master’s of Touro’s College of Osteopathic Medicine The expansion of Touro University Science, Family Nurse Practitioner (DO) is also working to address the Nevada’s programs is making a healthcare shortage in the U.S. as significant difference in both the Las

4 | Hot Programs TOURO YOU | 5 After Harter retired in 2014, a decade after bringing Touro University Nevada to the Las Vegas Valley, former U.S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley was asked to lead the university as its new THEN CEO and Senior Provost. & With more than 30 years in public service, Berkley initially thought it was crazy when she was approached with Dr. Mitchell Forman, Founding Dean of the Touro University Nevada College of NOW the opportunity to come to Touro. Osteopathic Medicine, sings with students during the 2005 White Coat Ceremony. Founding CEO Dr. Michael Harter and Current CEO Shelley Berkley

Discuss Touro’s Solid Foundation and Ascent into the Future “The allure of Touro for me was that scholarships. The event has grown Harter is proud to see how much the it was a challenge, a chapter in my life immensely every year since its university has grown since 2004, when that was completely different from inception and has attracted notable it started as a medical school with just

When Dr. Michael Harter was become the founding dean of the “It helped establish a sense of all of the others,” she said. “I recognized keynote speakers, including U.S. 78 students. Overseeing the creation recruited by Dr. Jay Sexter in 2004 College of Osteopathic Medicine. pioneering at Touro,” Harter said. that at my age, I might not have Congressman and Civil Rights icon of Touro’s academic programs and the to become Vice President for “We told potential students that an opportunity to do something John Lewis and former U.S. Surgeon opening of the Touro Center for Autism Administration and eventually, the “Most of the construction wasn’t done, we were pioneers and we hoped completely different again.” General Dr. Vivek Murthy. and Developmental Disabilities are two new CEO and Senior Provost of Touro so Dr. Forman and I put pieces of paper they would join us as well. For us, “ of his proudest achievements. University Nevada, he welcomed the on the bare floors to show them where every day was a new adventure.” challenge. the classrooms and lecture halls would We told potential students that we were “When you look at everything we did be,” Harter recalled. “The accreditors Harter and Forman also encouraged back then and see what Shelley has Harter had spent his entire life in were concerned that we still had so the faculty to be on campus five days pioneers and we hoped they would join us as done now, it went way beyond what education, including numerous much construction to finish. So we a week and keep an open-door policy we had envisioned in 2004,” he said. endeavors in healthcare programs worked with UNLV and they agreed to to help foster a family atmosphere well. For us, every day was a new adventure. and higher educational settings. rent us space if construction wasn’t among the Touro community. -Dr. Michael Harter Berkley credited Harter, a longtime Before accepting the position at Touro, finished by the beginning of August. friend, for laying a solid foundation Harter worked as the Vice Dean and By having a temporary home in case “We wanted our students to “ that she was able to build on. With Chief Administrative Officer for the construction wasn’t completed in time, have access to their faculty and nearly 1,500 students, Touro boasts University of Nevada, Reno School we got the signal to go ahead.” administrators,” Harter said. Immediately after taking the job, Additional projects Berkley has the largest medical school, the largest of Medicine’s Las Vegas campus. “By keeping everyone informed, it Berkley hit the ground running by spearheaded include funding for the physician assistant studies program, Harter said he had tremendous helped contribute to the close-knit using the contacts she gained during establishment of the Michael Tang and the first occupational therapy He was enticed by the opportunity to guidance from Dr. Bernard Lander, culture the university still has today.” her time in public office to help Regional Center for Clinical Simulation, doctorate program in Nevada. help bring an entirely health-focused the founder of the Touro College expand the university’s awareness the Stephen J. Cloobeck Regional Center campus to Southern Nevada, even and University System, as well as As the years went by, Touro University within the community. for Disaster Life Support, three mobile “If not for Mike Harter’s efforts and though he’d be starting from scratch. support from the City of Henderson Nevada continued to grow. The first healthcare clinics, the university’s first that he left this school in very good which expedited the university’s students from the School of Physician Since Berkley arrived at Touro, the endowed gift, and many more. shape, we could not have been as “In my previous endeavors, most construction permit approvals. Assistant Studies started in October university has greatly increased its successful as we are now. I had no of the facilities were built out,” 2004, and by the following year, the donor support and partnerships “We’ve had great success in fundraising idea if I could do this job or not, but Harter happily recalled of Touro’s When classes began in August 2004, university had a School of Occupational which have led to several new projects for the school, but we still have a lot Mike reassured me that I could,” she early beginnings when it was an students and faculty who visited the Therapy, School of Nursing, and School that benefit students, faculty, and left to do,” she said. “We’ve been able to said. “Our students are absolutely under-construction warehouse. campus for interviews were required of Education. the Southern Nevada community. elevate Touro’s stature throughout the phenomenal, and I respect and admire to wear hard hats inside the building. community and the state of Nevada. the faculty, staff, and the efforts of our He still remembered when the The symbolism of the hard hat was By 2009, Touro also debuted its School of In 2015, Berkley initiated the Over the past five years, Touro has leadership team. I’ve been so fortunate Commission on Osteopathic College also a representation of the founding Physical Therapy and a Master of Science university’s inaugural Gala, an annual become a major player in healthcare to capitalize on a solid foundation and Accreditation (COCA) visited the spirit Touro created with its new in Medical Health Sciences program. event that raises funds for student education for our state.” we’ve been able to keep this institution campus in April 2004, shortly after students and employees. moving forward.” Sexter hired Dr. Mitchell Forman to

APR. AUG. OCT. AUG. Touro University Nevada First DO Class First PA Class First OT Class TOURO TIMELINE 2004 Opens its Doors 2004 2004 2005

6 | Then & Now TOURO YOU | 7 BLAZING THE TRAIL AT SCHOOL AND IN THE FIELD Rachel Rosenthal Hopes to Make Strides in Healthcare as One of Touro’s First Occupational Therapy Doctorate Students

As one of the first students enrolled in Touro University “Rachel is a hard-working student who epitomizes what the Networking Platform Allows Alumni to Reconnect With Classmates and Mentor Future Graduates Nevada’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program, occupational therapy profession is all about,” said Dr. Robyn Rachel Rosenthal is excited to help chart the course for the Otty, Director of Touro’s OT program. “She’s been a great School of Occupational Therapy’s future. ambassador for her classmates here at Touro and will make a As Touro University Nevada builds off its first 15 years of opportunity to be that mentor they may have wanted tremendous OT when she graduates.” success, alumni have a new way to reengage with each in school.” “It’s definitely exciting knowing that we are one of the other, the university, and current students. foundation classes of Touro’s OTD program,” she said. Rosenthal is in the process of completing her capstone project Alumni can answer questions about their specialty, with Dr. Otty as her faculty advisor. She wants to create Touro has launched TUNConnect, a social networking and join selective groups, including those specific to The San Diego-bred graduate of Fresno State University came programming to help all ages of adults with developmental platform that allows all Touro University Nevada alumni to their graduating class. to Touro in 2017, not too long after she realized that a career in disabilities obtain employment. reconnect with former classmates and provide mentorship occupational therapy (OT) was something she wanted to pursue. opportunities for current students. “Our fabulous alumni have played a huge role in the “It’s unknown territory for OTs,” she said. “We have so many continuous growth and success of Touro University “The more I looked into OT, the more it combined my interests services for school-aged individuals and older adults, but not Nevada, and we want them to know how much we value with the mind, body, and health philosophy,” she said. as many resources once people graduate from high school. them,” said Shelley Berkley, CEO and Senior Provost of Touro University Western Division. “TUNConnect allows “I eventually did some shadowing with an OT and quickly These individuals are capable of so much; we just need to them to give back to the university by mentoring current discovered that I really loved the profession.” provide them with the opportunities tailored to their needs.” students and lets them easily reconnect with their classmates.” Coming from both a heavily populated high school and For her capstone, she has partnered with The Garden undergraduate university, Rosenthal said she was Foundation, a Las Vegas-based organization that enhances Fischer said she is hopeful that alumni will use enticed by the smaller and close-knit feel of Touro’s the lives of people with disabilities by providing a place to TUNConnect to host meet and greets with classmates, campus environment. learn, grow, socialize, explore, and be independent. participate in webinars for students, and return to campus for guest lectures. At the same time, she knew she wanted to pursue more She looks forward to completing the necessary research and “This is our 15th year, and so much has changed at Touro,” than just a master’s degree. With Touro transitioning to the program development with the goal of implementing her said Veronica Fischer, Director of Annual Giving and OTD program, Rosenthal knew she had found the right place. capstone project at The Garden Foundation for 13 weeks. Alumni Relations. “It takes a few years for our alumni to get settled in residency or practice. This will help them stay connected with each other and the university.” “There are other schools in the process of transitioning to After she graduates in May of 2020, Rosenthal wants to stay an OTD program, but I liked that Touro was so eager to in Southern Nevada and help Touro grow its OTD program. As TUNConnect is part of Graduway, one of the leading move toward the doctorate very quickly,” she said. “To me, one of the program’s first students, she’s been fortunate to alumni networking companies in the U.S. In addition to it showed that the university was committed to the success both learn from and provide direction to the faculty. reconnecting with former classmates and mentoring of its students as well as the profession. That really appealed current students, the user-friendly app allows alumni to to me.” “The faculty have been tremendous to work with because they share their personal and professional accomplishments are learning right along with us,” she said. “I’m still learning through the news feed. “We are at a very exciting time in our history,” she said. Rosenthal said the smaller cohort has made her student every day and I think having an OTD will help me go a long way. “Great things are happening and we want our alumni to experience much more enjoyable. The close-working It gives us our seat at the table with other healthcare providers “One of Touro’s tenants is giving back to the community, be involved.” relationships she’s developed with her faculty and classmates because we have more education, research, and evidence- and using TUNConnect to network will help our alumni have resulted in a deep professional network that will benefit based practice behind us. It’s been an awesome experience to enhance their own professional experience while working You can download TUNConnect through both the Apple and her after she graduates, she added. be at the forefront of that growth here at Touro.” with our students,” Fischer said. “Our alumni are already Google Play Store. Search for ‘Graduway Community’ and doing so much, and this will provide them with the then search for ‘Touro University Nevada.’

AUG. SEP. DEC. JUL. First Nursing Class First Education Class Center for Autism and 2005 2005 20082007 Developmental Disabilities Opens 2009 Health Center Opens

8 | Blazing the Trail TUNCONNECTTOURO YOU | 9 Back where it ALUMNI Profile

Dr. Sartaj Kadiwala Siddiqui College of Osteopathic Medicine More than 1,200 miles away from she recalled. “I knew I was taking a huge interviews were required to wear “There were so many more people there, In October 2018, the university honored its Class of 2008 her home in Austin, Tex., Dr. Sartaj risk, but I thought it would be great to be hard hats while construction was and all of a sudden it wasn’t just us original graduating class with an inaugural Kadiwala Siddiqui took a chance on a trailblazer.” being completed. Siddiqui’s white coat anymore,” she said. alumni reunion. Siddiqui said classmates Touro University Nevada as one of its ceremony was held inside Touro’s who returned to the Touro campus to see first medical students when it opened in Siddiqui still remembers her first day of unfinished gymnasium with folding In 2008, Siddiqui and her 77 classmates the enhanced expansion were jealous that August 2004. school as one of Touro’s charter class of chairs for friends and family to sit. graduated as the first class of the Touro they didn’t have those amenities when medical students. University Nevada College of Osteopathic they were in medical school. Southern Nevada was not the original “I remember how hot it was and how we Medicine. After completing medical school

Inaugural DO Graduate plan for Siddiqui, who was born in Fort had fans blowing inside of the gym to in an unfamiliar place, Siddiqui went on to At the reunion, Siddiqui and her Lauderdale, Fla. before moving to Texas cool us down,” she said. “But I’m proud complete her general pediatrics residency classmates shared laughs, reminisced Recalls University’s in high school. that it was intimate and just us. The at the University of Florida. about their days as Touro’s first

Early Beginnings as I knew I was room was full of heart and everyone was students, and even met for sushi at “Initially, I only applied to allopathic so proud to be there.” She has worked as a pediatrician the same place they would go during She Navigated Her Way schools because I didn’t know anything taking a huge for the last eight years, as well as a medical school. Through Medical School about the osteopathic philosophy,” she “ Siddiqui said she and her classmates neonatologist for the last three. Back in said. “risk, but I went to class in the same room every Austin, Siddiqui still keeps in touch with “It was so great to see everyone and day. After class was over, they convened her classmates who helped blaze the catch up after all these years,” she said. Siddiqui took a gap year after graduating thought it would in the bullpen to study. trail for what Touro University Nevada “Touro University Nevada has grown so with a dual major in biology and business be great to be a has become. much. It strengthens my degree and has administration from the University of “Back then, it was only us and we were gotten more competitive with applicants. Texas at Dallas. The more she learned trailblazer. all transplants,” she said. “Everybody “I first came back three years ago with my I can’t believe it’s been 15 years.” about osteopathic medical schools, the had an open-door policy and it gave us husband and was shocked to see how more interested she became. a great opportunity to learn from our much the university has grown,” she said. faculty and connect with each other.” “I love the holistic approach to the body and being able to work with my hands,” “I remember driving to school with Once her third year of medical school she said. “It was a much better fit for me.” my roommate on our first day, and began, Siddiqui completed her rotations there was absolutely nowhere to park. at Nellis Air Force Base, Valley Hospital, Siddiqui applied to, and later interviewed Many of the spots were being used by and Sunrise Hospital. By 2006, Touro at, Touro University California in Vallejo, neighboring businesses, and where was now home to the School of Calif. we ended up parking was closer to our Physician Assistant Studies, the School apartment than the school,” she recalled. of Occupational Therapy, the School Dr. Sartaj Kadiwala Siddiqui (bottom left) and “A couple of weeks later, they called me of Nursing, and two new classes of some of her classmates celebrating shortly before and asked if I would be interested in the At the beginning of Touro’s first year, medical students. their 2008 Commencement. new Touro University Nevada campus,” students and faculty coming in for Dr. Sartaj Kadiwala Siddiqui with Touro CEO & Senior Provost Shelley Berkley and Provost Dr. Ray Alden after being honored with the Blue and Gold Award during the 2018 alumni awards reception.

JUL. JUL. APR. First ‘Light It Up Blue’ Fundraiser for Touro Center JUL. 2009 First PT Class 2009 First MHS Class 2014 for Autism and Developmental Disabilities 2014 First Mobile Healthcare Clinic

10 | Alumni Profile TOURO YOU | 11 “It was the best way we could have started our trip.”

A Touro During their 2.5-week adventure in Asia, Bui and Lew traveled to Japan, Thailand, and South Korea where they did plenty of eating, sightseeing, and Connection completely immersing themselves in the culture. On their final night in South Korea, Bui and Lew stayed at a hostel where they later developed a new Hansl Mo friendship halfway across the world. “It was so unexpected. Of all the people have the really competitive mindset “We saw this guy sitting in the hostel I met on my trip to Asia, I was most that I needed in the master’s program lobby and we just started talking to him,” Three Students From shocked to see them.” because we were fighting to get in. Bui said. “We told him that we had each Holding on to that competitive spirit Different Touro Campuses Meet finished a master’s program and that The meetup presented them with the gave me a stronger background in the we were about to start medical school. idea to help initiate more collaboration sciences that I’m learning in medical Halfway Across the World on Backpacking Trip He told us he was about to do the same between the Touro College and school.” thing. We asked him where he went to University System campuses. school and he said ‘Touro.’” Since crossing paths in South Korea, When Linsey Bui came to Touro The Orange County, Calif. native chose something she always wanted: take “We discovered that students across the three Touro students have briefly University Nevada as a student in the Touro University Nevada after meeting a backpacking trip through Asia. That student was Hansl Mo, a first-year Touro programs don’t know much about brainstormed how they can help Master’s of Science in Medical Health former Admissions Program Manager She had recently been accepted into student in Touro’s College of Osteopathic each other, and we want to change strengthen the collaboration between Sciences program (MHS) in 2018, she had Charles Buckner during a recruitment Touro University Nevada’s College of Medicine in Middletown, N.Y. that,” Bui said. their schools. no idea she’d eventually forge a Touro trip in San Diego. Osteopathic Medicine and wanted to connection halfway around the world. reward herself with an international “We had an understanding on a deeper After a night of talking and learning “We’re not really sure what that “He had a wonderful spirit and was adventure before medical school began. level because we all went through our more about their Touro stories, the collaboration would look like, but we’d one of the most amazing people I rigorous master’s programs,” Mo said. three quickly developed a bond. Each love to start a club or organization that ever met,” Bui recalled. “I knew that I The partner she originally agreed completed a master’s program at their allows Touro students from the East would find more people like Charles at to travel with backed out at the last respective Touro, and each of them Coast to interact with Touro students Touro Nevada, and I quickly found out minute, forcing Bui to find a new were about to begin their first year of from the West Coast,” Mo said. that everyone on campus was just as partner. medical school. accepting and eager to help.” Bui agreed their experience meeting “I texted everyone who I thought I’d be “If I hadn’t done MHS, I would’ve halfway across the world while sharing Bui was in need of a roommate before comfortable backpacking with, and it struggled so badly on my first exam,” a similar school background lends to she started the MHS program, so she just so happened that Shwe said she Bui said. “MHS taught me how to future collaboration. connected with Northern California would go with me,” she said. properly study and analyze a lecture. native Shwe Lew, who was also new I wish more people could get that “The Touro system is a big system that to Touro’s MHS program. The two Bui and Lew flew from LAX to Hong experience.” we don’t know enough about, but we all quickly became roommates, but Lew Kong, only to be greeted by terrific have a lot to offer,” she said. “We tend soon relocated to Vallejo to attend news at the airport. “After completing my undergraduate to forget how big it is and that there are Touro University California’s (TUC) MHS studies at Syracuse University, my thousands of Touro students out there. program to be closer to her family. “When we had our layover in Hong MCAT scores were really lacking,” I’m sure there are students with similar Kong, Shwe found out that she had Mo agreed. “The master’s program stories like ours. When we have time, I After graduating from Touro’s rigorous been accepted into TUC’s College of helped me become more familiar with know we’ll see each other again.” Linsey Bui MHS program, Bui decided to try Osteopathic Medicine,” Bui recalled. Shwe Lew the material. In medical school, I still

MAR. NOV. DEC. APR. 2015 First Touro Gala 2016 Second Mobile Healthcare Clinic 2017 Tang/Cloobeck Centers Open 2018 First Building Blocks Party

12 | A Touro Connection TOURO YOU | 13 Faculty Profile A Head CLASS Start On Her NOTES Dr. Amy Do you have Did you receive a NEW Stone NEWS PROMOTION? TO SHARE? PHYSICAL THERAPY GRADUATES It’s been less than a year since Dr. Get CRAIG HADFIELD, DPT13 Amy Stone arrived at Touro University MARRIED? Dr. Craig Hadfield was recently selected Nevada, though she’s already making for a fellowship in Orthopedic Manual TIFFANY BUJAK, DO13 waves as an Assistant Professor in the OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Physical Therapy from the American GRADUATES Dr. Tiffany Bujak is practicing flight Department of Basic Sciences and in Academy of Manipulative Therapy. medicine at Fort Riley Military Base the field of immunology. Dr. Amy Stone Making Tremendous Strides as New Touro Faculty STEPHANIE PERSONDEK in Kansas where she was recently (NEE MORBECK), DO10 SCOTT HARRIS, DPT15 promoted to the rank of Major. She and Since joining the Touro faculty in November “This is the first particular breakthrough of Dr. Wolfgang Gilliar, Dean, College of Dr. Stephanie Persondek (nee Morbeck) Dr. Scott Harris received a certification her husband welcomed twin boys in 2018, Stone has published a significant its kind, so it’s pretty exciting to play such Osteopathic Medicine. recently relocated to her hometown in Mechanical Diagnosis through the November 2018. research paper on the West Nile Virus; an important role on the international of Spokane Valley, Wash. to work in McKenzie Institute. received two Travel Awards from the scale,” she said. “We didn’t know how Stone is also excited to help shape private OBGYN practice. Previously, MEDINA CULVER, DO15 GERALD DOLCE, DPT17 American Society of Microbiology (ASM); this was happening, but now we know Touro’s expanded research culture. she worked as an OBGYN laborist Dr. Medina Culver came back to Dr. Gerald Dolce was recently certified and worked with Touro students and it’s because macrophages can sense the at Henderson Hospital in Southern Southern Nevada after completing her as an orthopedic clinical specialist by faculty to help bring healthcare to the Las West Nile Virus and become polarized to “Collaborating with students and faculty Nevada. She was recently appointed Family Medicine residency at Montana the American Board of Physical Therapy Vegas tunnel homeless populations. the strong immune response.” will only strengthen the university’s as the Director of the Women’s Family Medicine, an affiliate of the Specialties (ABPTS). Health clinical rotation at Rocky Vista research capabilities,” she added. University of Washington. She is a University in Ivins, Utah. She has also “In a lot of ways, it’s like crossing the Not much older than the Touro students physician at Wikler Family Practice LAURA MARSH, DPT17 been working as an item writer and finish line because you spend all this she teaches, Stone discovered her love “I’m looking forward to pushing the in Henderson, Nev. Dr. Laura Marsh works as a physical reviewer for multiple exams within the time working toward a goal, and you get for teaching during her post-doctorate boundaries of research here at Touro therapist at FYZICAL Therapy and National Board of Medical Examiners. this moment of joy when you see that work at the University of Washington. and bringing out the best that our Balance Center in Las Vegas. work to completion,” she said in regard Since then, she’s excelled with the students and faculty have in the Move to to her research. opportunity to train the future doctors research arena,” she said. “I’m excited Dr. Persondek has also been on faculty a NewCITY? LOGAN DEROIN, DPT19 and healthcare providers at Touro. to see how we can shape our upcoming at America’s Board Review, a company Dr. Logan Deroin was accepted to the Stone’s paper, titled “RIG-I-Like that trains OBGYNs for the written, curriculum and help our students get to PHYSICIAN ASSITANT GRADUATES Evidence in Motion Sports Physical Receptors Direct Inflammatory “I like taking extremely complex where they need to be.” oral, and maintenance of certification Therapy Residency in Boise, Idaho. Macrophage Polarization Against West ideas and distilling them down to for the American Board of Obstetrics ADRIENNE CHAN (NEE MAR), PA15 Nile Virus Infection,” and published understandable chunks,” she said. With numerous accomplishments and Gynecology and the American Adrienne Chan (nee Mar), a 2015 KIN LOK LEUNG, DPT19 in the peer-reviewed journal Nature “I quickly came to realize that Touro already under her belt, the future looks Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and graduate of the Touro University Dr. Kin Lok Leung was accepted to the Communications, explains why some genuinely valued teaching. What really bright for the Colorado native as Touro Gynecology. Nevada PA program, married Joshua Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency people infected with West Nile Virus gets me excited is thinking about how works to expand its research footprint. Chan on June 23, 2018. at Kaiser in Union City, Calif. have no symptoms while others suffer I can get these students to apply what She previously served as an adjunct with life-threatening debilitations or they’ve learned and develop their own “I want to bring in students with different clinical faculty at Pacific Northwest MATTHEW DEMAS, PA17 SHENG LIN, DPT19 even death. lightbulb moment.” backgrounds and get them to contribute University College of Osteopathic Matthew Demas works as an Dr. Sheng Lin was accepted to the to something that’s cutting edge,” Stone Medicine and Midwestern University emergency room PA for the Valley Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Stone began her research in the “We are delighted about Dr. Stone’s said. “At this particular time, it’s a great Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. Health System in Southern Nevada. at Kaiser in Santa Clara, Calif. Summer of 2015 and co-authored the commitment to enlightened research opportunity to come in with a lot of paper with Michael Gale Jr., Ph.D., from that will ultimately enhance and motivation and enthusiasm to help shape the University of Washington. optimize patient care,” said the research culture here at Touro.” We’d love to hear from you and your fellow alumni! Please send your class notes to Steven Slivka, Communications Manager at [email protected].

JUL. JUL. First Phase of Multi-Year Expansion SEP. OCT. 2018 Third Mobile Healthcare Clinic 2018 Build-out of Touro’s Campus 2018 First Alumni Reunion 2018 First Scholarship Endowment

14 | Faculty Profile CLASSTOURO NOTES YOU | | 15 15 Touro University Nevada 874 American Pacific Drive Henderson, NV 89014

CALENDAR 9/13-15 9/16 9/24 OF EVENTS Alumni Reunion White Coat Fall Open House Eastside Cannery Ceremony Touro University Hotel & Casino Rio All Suites Nevada Hotel and Casino

10/25-28 10/27 11/3 12/8 Osteopathic Medical OMED Touro Winter Season of Lights Education Conference Alumni Reception Commencement Soiree and Silent (OMED) The World Trade Center, Paris Las Vegas Hotel Auction Baltimore, Maryland 402 E. Pratt Street, 7– 10 p.m. & Casino Baltimore, Maryland SAVE THE DATE

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