Cooper Medical School of Rowan University: A Comprehensive Overview

Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU), a partnership between Cooper University Health Care and Rowan University, stands as the only four-year, MD-granting medical school in South Jersey. Opening its doors in the summer of 2012, CMSRU is deeply rooted in its mission to cultivate highly skilled and socially conscious physician leaders who champion a patient-centered, team-based approach to healthcare.

History and Establishment

The genesis of CMSRU can be traced back to 2009 when Rowan University and Cooper University Hospital forged a partnership. This collaboration, initiated by an executive order from Governor Jon Corzine, aimed to address the growing physician shortage at both the local and national levels, with a broader goal of enhancing healthcare services throughout the region. The establishment of CMSRU marked a significant milestone as the first medical school founded in New Jersey in 35 years. Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie spoke at the school's opening.

Cooper's engagement in medical education dates back to 1887 with the establishment of Cooper Hospital. The pursuit of becoming a four-year medical school officially began in 1975 when legislation to bring a medical school to New Jersey was signed by Governor Brendan Byrne. In June 2008, Governor Jon S. Corzine officially ended Cooper’s partnership with UMDNJ, recognizing the Cooper-Rowan partnership.

The school admitted its charter class in May 2012, followed by a second class in the fall of 2013.

Accreditation and Recognition

CMSRU earned full accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) in June 2016, a testament to its commitment to high educational standards. This accreditation was reaffirmed in November 2021, with a full re-accreditation granted for the maximum period of eight years.

Read also: Cooper Union's Financial Shift

In November 2019, CMSRU received the prestigious Spencer Foreman Award for Outstanding Community Engagement from the American Association of Medical Colleges. This award recognizes the school's exceptional service and dedication to the Camden community.

Leadership and Student Body

Currently, the dean of CMSRU is Annette C. Reboli, MD, a renowned physician, educator, and researcher. The school has a diverse student body with more than 400 medical students enrolled across four classes.

Since its inaugural Commencement in 2016, CMSRU has proudly graduated nearly 750 physicians. These graduates are distinguished by their commitment to practicing medicine with confidence and compassion, coupled with a strong desire to drive positive change within their communities.

Curriculum and Educational Approach

CMSRU distinguishes itself through an innovative curriculum that emphasizes small-group, self-directed learning, and early, continuous patient care experiences. Students begin interacting with patients as early as the third week of medical school at the Cooper Rowan Clinic.

The curriculum is structured into two phases:

Phase I: Foundation and Integration: This phase encompasses the first two years of the program, during which students develop a strong foundation of scientific knowledge and skills, preparing them to connect these skills with clinical practice. A key component of Phase 1 is the Active Learning Group (ALG), which utilizes case/problem-based small group learning to facilitate collaboration between students and faculty in exploring simulated patient cases.
Phase II: Application, Exploration, and Advancement: This phase spans the third and fourth years, allowing students to apply their knowledge, explore different medical specialties, and advance their skills. The third year consists of a series of six-week clerkships in various specialties, including Adult Primary Care, Pediatrics, Neurology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Surgery, and Psychiatry. The fourth year offers flexibility in customizing the curriculum, with required clerkships in areas like Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, and Chronic Care, as well as elective time for rotations at Cooper University Health Care, other accredited institutions, or global health experiences.

The CMSRU curriculum features a variety of small group learning sessions, which allow students to develop communication, leadership and teamwork skills.

Commitment to Community Engagement

A defining characteristic of CMSRU is its deep commitment to community engagement. Engagement with the surrounding community of Camden, New Jersey, is another signature element of our mission. "Camden is our classroom. CMSRU is located in Camden, NJ, a city where many residents face daily challenges in obtaining access to basic needs, education and healthcare. CMSRU is helping to close this gap by educating new physicians, who understand the needs of their community, and by the creation of new programs through which students and faculty provide care, resources and support services.

Service learning, which involves meaningful reflection on community experiences, is a required component of the curriculum. This approach encourages students to understand the social determinants that impact the health of vulnerable populations. Service learning activities include providing medical care at the student-run Cooper Rowan Clinic and partnering with community programs that serve Camden residents.

Admissions

CMSRU welcomes both in-state and out-of-state applicants. Fluency in reading, writing, and speaking the English language is required. To apply to CMSRU, applicants must submit an application through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). The AMCAS application cycle runs from June to December, and CMSRU only considers verified AMCAS applications.

Applicants are required to have completed specific courses at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada. While Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate (AP/IB) credits are not accepted to fulfill these requirements, CMSRU allows applicants to substitute upper-level credits if college credit was granted for AP/IB coursework.

Read also: Continuing Education Courses

For the latest admissions cycle, CMSRU participates in the Early Decision Program. To qualify, applicants must have a GPA of 3.6 in science courses (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics) and an overall GPA of 3.5. Admission decisions for the Early Decision Program are typically communicated in mid to late September, while regular MD admissions are notified in October, following AAMC traffic rules.

After being accepted in CMSRU, students can apply to PC3 Track. Students will be interviewed by the PC3 track’s faculty and Cooper residency programs through a separate process.

Facilities and Resources

The CMSRU Medical Education Building, situated on the Cooper Health Sciences Campus in Camden, NJ, opened in July 2012. The six-story building is equipped with advanced technology and designed to support the school's innovative curriculum. It features large and small learning spaces, research and anatomy labs, administrative offices, and student wellness areas. The building features 27 active learning rooms, a 250-seat auditorium, research and teaching laboratories, and dedicated space for student wellness activities.

In September 2019, the Joint Health Sciences Center (JHSC) opened, providing a collaborative space for researchers and educators from Rowan University, Rutgers University-Camden, and Camden County College. The four-story Joint Health Sciences Center includes CMSRU’s state-of-the-art Clinical Skills and Simulation Education Center, as well as laboratory, instructional and research space for Rowan University and Rutgers University. The Clinical Skills and Simulation Education Center develops and supports programming designed to teach and enhance clinical competence skills, teamwork, interdisciplinary partnership, and interprofessional collaboration. The Center utilizes simulation modalities such as standardized patients, task trainers, and high-fidelity mannequins to realistically replicate the clinical environment. To advance the field of healthcare simulation, the SIM Center conducts innovative research into patient safety, medical education, simulation theory, practice, and technology.

CMSRU doesn’t provide any on-campus housing facility. However, there are a lot of housing options for CMSRU students who are in and around the city of Camden. Cooper Medical School of Rowan University provides its registered students necessary medical student healthcare services. These services are provided on-site at the following places; Cooper University Hospital, Student Health Center, and Three Cooper Plaza, Camden. Cooper Medical School of Rowan University has partnered with Student Assistance Program.

Additional Programs

CMSRU offers a variety of programs beyond the traditional four-year MD curriculum, including:

The Post Baccalaureate in Advanced Premedical Studies: A flexible academic program designed to prepare students for medical school.
PULSE: A six-week summer academic program for undergraduate students interested in healthcare careers, designed to foster lifelong learning and community engagement.
MEDacademy: A four-week summer program for high school students interested in becoming physicians.
Junior Urban Medical Pioneers (JUMP): An ongoing Saturday program for high school students excelling in mathematics and science who are planning to pursue careers in healthcare.

CMSRU also provides opportunities for middle and elementary school students in Southern New Jersey to learn about careers in math, science, and healthcare.

Preparing for the Rigors of Medical School

CMSRU recognizes the demanding nature of medical school and emphasizes the importance of adaptability, resilience, and effective time management. The ability to meet deadlines and maintain a strong work ethic are crucial for success. The College is equipped with modern technology and infrastructure along with the top-rated facility.

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