Rowan Med Students Can Graduate Early To Join Coronavirus Fight

GLASSBORO, NJ — Rowan University is allowing seniors in their two medical schools to graduate early and join the workforce to help combat the new coronavirus pandemic.

Students in the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine normally graduate in mid-May and begin their hospital residencies July 1, according to the university. This year, the university is allowing qualified students to graduate in mid-April.

They can then either start their residency shortly thereafter if the graduate medical education program accepts them to start early, or join the workforce in another capacity as an employee or volunteer.

Early graduation will allow the new doctors to help address staff shortages as health care professionals care for COVID-19 patients or are unable to work.

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“Our medical students are passionate about helping others. They don’t want to wait on the sidelines during this unprecedented public health crisis,” Cooper Medical School of Rowan University Dean Annette C. Reboli said.

“By graduating early, our students can make a huge difference in hospitals’ ability to care for patients and save lives,” Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine Dean Thomas Cavalieri said.

Nearly one-third of the 79 seniors in the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University said they would like to graduate ahead of schedule, according to the university. Cavalieri expects a similarly high level of interest among Rowan University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine’s 180-member graduating class.

While the initiative is voluntary, requirements include:

• The student must have fulfilled all graduation requirements. Most fourth-year students in both schools have already met this standard, and the schools have informed graduating students of any unmet requirements.
• The student must contact the hospital where they will do their residency and obtain the hospital’s agreement for the early start date. They must honor their match agreement, according to Reboli.
• The hospital must be able to provide the same processes and supports that it normally provides to new residents, such as orientation, credentialing, faculty supervision and implementation of all applicable rules and regulations.

“Both schools will work with students who choose the early graduation option to ensure as smooth a transition as possible,” Reboli said.

Many of the graduates will join health systems in New Jersey, which has the second-highest number of coronavirus cases nationwide, Cavalieri said.

Half of this year’s graduating class at the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine has accepted residencies in the state’s health systems, including Jefferson Health New Jersey, Cooper University Health Care, and Inspira Health. The school will send 32 percent of this year’s graduates to New Jersey institutions, with a large portion going to Cooper, the school’s teaching affiliate.

“By graduating sooner, our students will help allay the tremendous physician shortages expected in our state,” Cavalieri said.

Some students will go to parts of the country where coronavirus rates are low right now. While those hospitals may not need new physicians to start early, situations can change quickly as new coronavirus hot spots emerge. Students in both schools can opt into the early graduation program as needs shift.

Both schools are planning early graduation ceremonies — held virtually — in the coming weeks. Details will be announced soon.

“I am incredibly proud of our graduating medical students,” Rowan University President Ali Houshmand said. “This is a uniquely difficult time in our country and the world, but I’m confident that these wonderful new doctors are up to the challenges they’ll face. They will continue to do great things for their patients, colleagues and society, and the Rowan community will be here to support them and cheer them on.”

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