Congrats to Eden Mitrany from Touro Graduate School of Social Work on coming in first place in her category in the New York City Business Plan Competition (NYC-BPC)! Eden's business plan is the creation of an organization providing support to victims of domestic violence in the Jewish community. She envisions a shelter in Nassau County that will provide safe temporary housing, assistance with applying for public benefits so that the women can be financially independent, trauma-informed psychoeducation, support groups, and individual counseling for members. The NYC-BPC is the first stage in this competition for student entrepreneurs. As the winner, Eden is now entered into the New York State Business Plan Competition (NYS-BPC). Eden says, "This was a small but encouraging win. Since my organization's mission is to provide support to victims of domestic violence in the Jewish community, simply participating in a contest like this is an automatic success, as the movement to end domestic violence in the observant Jewish community is nurtured by visibility and decreasing stigma. Touro has offered me multiple layers of support in order to achieve this first-level win for my organization. From participating in the Moonshot Scholars Program to the Chesed Leadership Program, the early stages of building a kosher domestic violence shelter for women has been incubating within Touro. Faculty from Touro's various schools are generously offering further support to assist me in sharpening my presentation so that this much-needed organization will succeed."

#wednesdaywisdom from #jordanhoechlin

🙌 Momina Qureshi, chair of the Touro College of Pharmacy student chapter of the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York, was one of thousands who lobbied her state senator and local assemblyperson yesterday to enact legislation that will make New York a less restrictive place for pharmacists to practice. Among other things, the students advocated for permanent authority to test, immunize and receive professional compensation for providing medication. “Since the pandemic, pharmacists have performed COVID-19 testing and vaccination through Executive Order, which has to be extended every 30 days. Pharmacists need permanent authority so we can continue to test and immunize our patients. We also need expanded access to the full list of CDC-recommended immunizations,” said Qureshi. “I want to improve our profession. The proposed bills can change lives for many people and pharmacy students need to advocate now to see changes in the future.”

Congrats to Touro Graduate School of Social Work student Michele Adams, who was sworn in to a two-year term on her local Community Board 10 by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards tonight. Adams was inspired to apply for the opening by her Touro social work policy class and through her experience in April lobbying with classmates for policy changes in Albany with elected representatives. “I have always wanted to get more involved in community politics to gain a better understanding of how or why things happen in my neighborhood,” says Adams. “Social workers should be aware of the impact of politics on practice and advocate for improved social conditions and social justice. I look forward to this new experience of activism and civic engagement.” Congratulations Michele!

Congrats to occupational therapy (OT) students Samantha Brescia, Rachel Drabczyk, Nicole Frendo, Malka Furman, Kate McHugh, Douglas Weinold and Frida Yadgarova, who are all newly inducted members of the Alpha Pi Chapter of Pi Theta Epsilon! This esteemed honor society was created specifically for OT students, and those selected must demonstrate superior scholarship with a 3.5-4.0 average each semester and rank in the top 35% of their class. "I am so honored to be a part of Alpha Pi. This honor is a testament to my work until this point and will serve as a foundation for my hard work in the future," said student Malka Furman. Way to go all!

#TBT Last week kicked off a successful partnership between the TouroCOM Alumni Association and the student-led Diversity Task Force. Eight alumni and students from TouroCOM Harlem and Middletown engaged in an hour of lively virtual discussion on Zoom. Breakout rooms ranged from diversity in the medical profession and challenges faced as people of color in medicine, to choosing a specialty, success in residency applications, and the importance of mentorship. Dr. Nadege Dady, Dean of Student Affairs at TouroCOM Harlem, opened the event, followed by an update on Diversity affairs at Touro from Jeffrey Gardere, Ph.D. Omobola Onikoyi, DO 2018, spoke about the scholarship she launched in 2020 with fellow Touro alumnae, which provides a year-long subscription to UWorld Medical Board Prep for a deserving underrepresented minority student.

#wednesdaywisdom #quotestoliveby

Congrats to Touro College of Pharmacy students on taking First Place in a “Quiz Bowl” Friday, competing against peers from other regional colleges of pharmacy on their knowledge of pharmacy! The teams were judged on timed answers to questions on internal medicine, infectious diseases, OTC meds, federal laws and regulations, and critical care, among other topics. The annual competition is sponsored by the New Jersey Society of Health System Pharmacists. Kudos to TCOP’s winning team A, the “Pharm Animals” - Tushar Balar, Ronak Balar and Saloomeh Noochirasani; Team B, the "Mighty Morphine Power Rangers" - Jaspreet Kaur, Gloria Paulino and Maria Shah; Pharmacy Leadership Society Chapter President and event coordinator Nader Yamout; and faculty advisor and coach extraordinaire Dr. Keith Veltri!