May 1, 2014

We would like to inform you regarding our recent Access Med Ceremony on May 1, 2014.  The event was attended by over 300 guests, including graduating students and their proud parents, rising sophomore and junior students, and faculty/staff members.  In attendance were: Dr. Richard Falk, Executive Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Kenneth Breslauer, Vice President for Health Science Partnerships; and Dr. Michael Beals, Vice Dean – Office of Undergraduate Education. We were extremely proud to celebrate 30 past participants of the program who are now graduating from medical, dental, osteopathic and public health schools. We also celebrated the acceptance of 61 ODASIS students into health professions and scientific graduate programs and the healthcare workforce. Lastly, all 22 New Brunswick high school students in our Johnson & Johnson Saturday Scholars’ Academy were accepted to colleges, with 18 of them being accepted to Rutgers University.

Attendees were blessed by the words of several distinguished speakers. This year’s keynote speaker was Dr. Wise Young, Founding Director of the W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, who discussed his professional journey and challenged the audience to consider the importance of giving back. In addition to Dr. Young's keynote presentation, Gbolabo Sokunbi, MD, an ODASIS alumnus and Orthopedic Surgeon, shared his experiences in medicine, motivating and encouraging ODASIS students while they are preparing for finals and the MCAT. ODASIS had the privilege of Dr.’s Young, Breslauer, and Sokunbi who generously spoke to the awardees and their proud family members, offering inspirational assurances, words of encouragement, and commemorating their successes at the undergraduate level. Attendees old and young each walked away with a newfound appreciation for the sciences and medical field after the touching keynote speeches. Current ODASIS student, Andy Reyes, also gave a heartwarming bilingual speech alongside his mother, Dominga Reyes, who both thanked Dr. Khan, Director of ODASIS, and his staff for their endless support, commitment, and dedication to their students.

We wish to thank you for your continued interest in and support of our programs.

With kind regards,

Dr. Kamal Khan