EXCELLENCE IN CYBERSECURITY
USING AI TO TRAIN SOCIAL WORKERS
EDUCATING TO MEET ETHICAL CHALLENGES IN THE WORKPLACE
“Touro is committed to pushing the boundaries of medical research in ways that will truly benefit society, driving forward advances that matter.” — Dr. Alan Kadish, President
TOURO’S RESEARCH EXPANSION
DRIVES MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS
From groundbreaking treatments for cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease to advancements in diagnosing and managing traumatic brain injuries, Touro’s expanded research partnerships are redefining the future of medicine.
These transformative collaborations—with the prestigious Weissman Hood Institute and Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute—are fueling life-saving innovations while providing Touro students with invaluable, hands-on experience alongside world-renowned researchers in cutting-edge facilities.
WEISSMAN HOOD: A NEW ERA IN MEDICAL INNOVATION
In September 2024, the McLaughlin Research Institute in Great Falls, Montana, was renamed the Weissman Hood Institute at Touro, marking both 70 years of pioneering research and a new alliance with Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) in Montana. Through this strategic partnership, Touro combines its commitment to tackling urgent medical challenges with Weissman Hood’s world-class research in neurodegenerative diseases as well as stem cell biology, cancer treatment and personalized medicine.
The renaming honors two remarkable Montana natives: Dr. Irving Weissman, the Institute’s first intern in 1956, who became a visionary leader in stem cell biology and cancer research; and Dr. Leroy Hood, a pivotal figure in the Human Genome Project. Dr. Weissman’s pioneering work in hematopoietic stem cell biology has revolutionized our understanding of cellular development, blood disorders and cancer treatment. Dr. Hood is a renowned expert in systems biology, and his transformative contributions to personalized medicine through his work with the Human Genome Project have reshaped the way we approach complex diseases.
Dr. Hood expressed his enthusiasm for the new Touro alliance. “This relationship unites the strength of the basic science of Weissman Hood Institute with the possibility of translating these basic observations into clinical actionable possibilities that could transform patients’ lives in a
variety of different areas, including Alzheimer’s disease,” he said.
Together, these two visionaries have transformed the fields of biology and medicine, and their legacy—now championed through Touro’s collaboration with Weissman Hood—promises to drive continued innovation and clinical breakthroughs.
“This affiliation has significantly enhanced our research capabilities, expanding our capacity to make a tangible impact on the health and lives of Americans,” said Dr. Alan Kadish, president of Touro University and New York Medical College. “Touro is committed to pushing the boundaries of medical research in ways that will truly benefit society, driving forward advances that matter.”
The Weissman Hood institute is headed by renowned researcher Dr. Renee Reijo Pera, who also serves as the Dean of Research at TouroCOM Montana.
“Dr. Renee Reijo Pera is a national expert in many areas of research. Her leadership will help integrate scientific research into the Montana community and teach the next generation of medical students, research principles and innovation,” said Dr. Kadish.
(R-L): Dr. Irving Weissman and Dr. Leroy Hood
A significant milestone was reached in early 2023, when Weissman Hood, in collaboration with Touro, was awarded a $14 million NIH grant to support the creation of the Center for Integrated Biomedical and Rural Health Research. This new initiative will address healthcare challenges faced by rural communities while advancing global research in neurodegenerative diseases.
“This is a crucial step in our mission to improve the health of our communities while offering students unique opportunities to participate in this impactful work,” said Dr. Solomon Amar, Touro’s chief research officer and provost for biomedical research. “By partnering with research leaders, we provide our students with exposure to cutting-edge developments in many areas of medical science.”
Additionally, Touro University Nevada’s College of Osteopathic Medicine recently received a $500,000 grant from the Engelstad Foundation to advance its cancer research, specifically in developing a drug to prevent metastasis. Led by a Touro Nevada research team, the project is approaching a breakthrough with the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment and make a significant global impact.
SOCIETY
Part of Touro University and New York Medical College since 2022, Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is one of the oldest not-for-profit biomedical research centers in the U.S., specializing in respiratory disease, neuroscience, toxicology and drug development. It also plays a critical role in protecting the nation from chemical, biological and nuclear threats.
Through this affiliation, Touro leverages Lovelace’s infrastructure and expertise, particularly in clinical trials, while faculty from Touro’s New York Medical College serve as advisors for Lovelace’s trials and contribute to its infectious disease research efforts.
Lovelace’s capabilities extend beyond traditional
research. The Institute pioneered the use of advanced MRI techniques to detect subtle, often overlooked concussions, potentially steering athletes away from further career risks. This technology may also extend to prison populations, where it aids in identifying brain changes that could predict recidivism, offering key insights into rehabilitation and public safety.
“Our partnerships open doors for research that improves lives,” said Dr. Amar. “We’re equipping the next generation of healthcare professionals to solve tomorrow’s challenges.”
CHANGING THE FACE OF HEALTHCARE
Touro’s collaboration with Lovelace also includes a groundbreaking project to develop an aerosol COVID-19 vaccine. This novel approach, which replaces traditional injections with a nebulizer-based system, could transform the way vaccines are delivered. Touro and Lovelace are actively pursuing funding to continue this research.
Touro’s expansion into New Mexico is strengthening its leadership in public health research and academic excellence, particularly in underserved areas. Through its partnership with Lovelace, Touro will open a clinical branch of the Touro College of Dental Medicine in Albuquerque this spring, offering crucial dental care to the community while providing hands-on training for 200 students.
“By partnering with world-class institutions, we’re not just expanding our research capabilities,” Dr. Kadish said. “We’re building an ecosystem where students can actively learn, contribute and lead in areas that are driving the next breakthroughs in medicine.”
RESEARCHERS FROM TOURO UNIVERSITY AND LOVELACE
BIOMEDICAL ARE DEVELOPING A CUTTING-EDGE TREATMENT FOR LUNG CANCER
When it comes to cancer, none is more deadly than lung cancer—which kills roughly 125,000 Americans and 1.8 million worldwide each year. In fact, lung cancer accounts for 20 percent of annual cancer deaths in the U.S., taking more lives than breast, prostate and colon cancer combined. However, there may be new hope for patients with this deadly disease, thanks to an innovative treatment in development at the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, which is part of Touro University and New York Medical College.
Dr. Steven Belinsky is a renowned researcher who has spent his career improving early detection of lung cancer and is the recipient of the Alton Ochsner Award Relating Smoking and Health in recognition of his research on tobacco. Now the vice president for research and director of the Lung Cancer Program at Lovelace, working with aerosol expert Dr. Phil Kuehl, he has developed a patented dry powder that’s showing promise for shrinking lung cancers tumors.
asthma. This drug’s stability, direct delivery to the lungs and convenience for use at home all could lead to more effective treatment of lung cancer.”
Another benefit of the 5-azacytidine dry powder is that it not only treats the tumors in the lungs but it enters the circulation, where it can potentially affect disease that’s spread outside the lungs. This is crucial because, as Dr. Belinsky notes, “About 65 percent of lung cancer is diagnosed after it’s left the lungs—which is metastasis.” While it’s still very early and human trials are needed, Dr. Belinsky says he’s excited about “the potential impact it could have through extending survival for lung cancer patients.”
“ABOUT 65 PERCENT OF LUNG CANCER IS DIAGNOSED AFTER IT’S LEFT THE LUNGS—WHICH IS METASTASIS.”
The initial development and testing of the dry powder, which is inhaled, was funded by the NIH with a $4.6 million grant. During that process, the team achieved a 70 to 90 percent reduction in tumor growth in animals, which was particularly encouraging because the animals had multiple lung tumors.
The powder is a reformulation of 5-azacytidine (Vidaza), which successfully treats blood cancer, but is unstable and must be given by injection or IV over the course of eight days. “That means the patient has to come into the hospital for eight days in a row—which is cumbersome,” Dr. Belinsky explains. “Dry power drugs are already used to mitigate symptoms of COPD and
The next step in the process is to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the FDA, and pending approval, Dr. Belinsky hopes to start a Phase 1A trial geared toward safety in the summer of 2025. That trial will be conducted in partnership with the National Cancer Institute, and if the drug is shown to be well-tolerated and elicits a response in the subsequent Phase 1B, it could eventually move on to Phase 3 trials with support from a pharmaceutical company, which will finalize development and commercialization.
There is also tremendous potential for the variety of cancers it could be used to treat and for how it can be combined with other drugs. “This drug reverses methylation, a process that silences the function of hundreds of genes responsible for normal cell function in all different types of tumors, so there is potential for use in the treatment of other cancer such as colon and breast cancer,” Dr. Belinsky posits. It’s an exciting new frontier in cancer treatment—and one where Touro is proud to be leading the way.
You’re a high school teacher. A 16-year-old student collapses, unconscious. His pupils are dilated, his breathing shallow and his classmates stand frozen. You have seconds to act. What do you do?
If you were part of the Center for Disaster Medicine’s Emergency Response Training Program, you’d know.
Every day, schools face emergencies—some that make headlines, some that don’t. Those on the scene—teachers, principals, custodians, security guards—often face split-second, high-impact decisions. In those circumstances, preparedness can make the difference between life and death.
Recognizing the growing need for emergency preparedness training, the Center for Disaster Medicine (CDM) at Touro’s New York Medical College partnered with the Yonkers City School District for a pioneering pilot program. Over the course of the 2023–24 school year, nearly 4,000 school professionals—across all 29 district schools—received hands-on training tailored to real-world emergency scenarios. From mass shootings and opioid overdoses to fires, floods and terrorist threats, this customized program equipped staff, parents and community members with the tools to respond quickly and effectively to a broad range of crises.
THINK FAST: ON-THE-JOB TRAINING
“Nearly every teacher has faced an emergency situation,” said Dr. David Markenson, director and co-founder of the CDM. “Before the training, most admitted they felt unprepared to act. But after completing the program, they reported feeling confident and ready to step in until
first responders arrive.”
This sense of empowerment is central to the mission of the CDM, the first civilian resource of its kind in the nation. Since its inception in 2005, the CDM has pioneered efforts to prepare vulnerable populations—such as children, the elderly and the disabled—for disasters. Through cutting-edge research, hands-on training and comprehensive educational programs, the CDM has established itself as a vital multidisciplinary resource, bridging academic expertise with community-focused emergency preparedness.
The success of the Yonkers pilot program speaks to the far-reaching impact of the CDM’s work. With overwhelming support from educators and school leaders, the CDM won a $250,000 grant to expand the program into additional New York districts.
“There isn’t a month that goes by without a New York school facing a life-threatening event,” said Dr. Markenson, an internationally recognized expert in all aspects of disaster medicine, public health preparedness and operational medicine. “But when people are properly trained and prepared, they don’t just react—they respond with speed and precision, following a plan already in place. That’s when lives are saved.” These plans, he emphasized, aren’t just for major crises. “Even small emergencies—like a shop-class injury or a power outage—require preparedness. It’s always key.”
When he heard about the pilot program, Jeremy Rynders, principal of Saunders Trades & Technical High School in Yonkers with 1,200 students
Dr. David Markenson
across 10 career and trade programs, recognized a great opportunity. “Between the culinary and carpentry programs, and that fact that we’re dealing with teenagers, accidents can happen,” he said. “And we could not have funded a program like this on our own.”
The CDM staff didn’t just train Saunders teachers in “Stop the Bleed,” CPR, AED and basic first aid—they went a step further by certifying them to train others, including their own students. “It was game-changing,” said Rynders. “Now, if something happens, we’ll have 25 students in the class who know exactly what to do, not just the teacher. It makes it far more likely that things will turn out well in an emergency.”
Chef Titus Thompson Okumodi, a culinary instructor at Saunders for nearly 30 years, is well aware of the risks that come with the kitchen—from knife mishaps to fires. “My job isn’t just to teach cooking; it’s to make sure my students know how to protect themselves and save lives,” said Okumodi. “Now, instead of just showing safety videos, we’re giving our students hands-on certifications. It not only
makes them safer, it gives them a real advantage in the industry. They’re leaving the classroom more prepared for the real world.”
When developing large-scale emergency drills, Emily Kaplan, DrPh,, assistant director for the CDM, guides participants through simulations using their school’s actual floor plans—much like a strategic board game—helping them map out evacuation routes, gathering points and locations of essential supplies. As a result, one Yonkers school relocated its Narcan supply to ensure faster access during potential opioid crises. “It’s all about keeping it real,” she said.
To further enhance its training, the CDM uses state-of-the-art tools—ranging from “Mattie,” the advanced female trauma simulator, to life-like pediatric manikins, live actors and anatomical models that replicate bleeding and pressure techniques.
“In an emergency, every second counts,” said Dr. Markenson. “The more educated and prepared the adults are, the better off the children will be. And when it comes to school safety, that’s our ultimate goal.”
HIM THE SUPPORT HE NEEDED TO PROVE IT
Andre Ailoje’s real-life story puts most fiction to shame.
Born in Angola to a diplomat, Ailoje’s family fled the civil war, moving from Africa to China, to the U.K, and finally settling in the U.S. After suffering a debilitating stroke, Ailoje’s father could no longer work, thrusting the family into financial peril.
Worse still, both Ailoje’s parents and his seven siblings, of whom he is the youngest, all have either sickle cell disease or the sickle cell trait.
Incredibly, Ailoje is the lone member of his immediate family without the genetic trait nor the disease of sickle cell. That miracle of health, as he sees it, planted the seed that blossomed into Ailoje’s desire to become a doctor.
He found the perfect partner for his pursuit in the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Touro University California (TUC). He had the fierce will—having earned a B.S. in Biology from NYC’s City College while working full time as a hotel concierge—but when it came to med school, he simply didn’t have any family financial support.
Touro’s med school administrators knew a determined future physician when they saw one. They honored him with a substantial scholarship to defray the cost of tuition, awarded to promising students as an investment in their futures, in keeping with the values of the institution.
“My calling to medicine became the driving force to excel in my academics,” says Ailoje. “I was drawn to osteopathic medicine because of the approach of the whole person, not just the disease.”
During the COVID pandemic, Ailoje had moved to California, where he met Dr. Tami Hendriksz,
dean of the TUC medical school. “Dr. Hendriksz’s stellar leadership and her authentic love for the students are irrefutable,” he says.
In 2023, Ailoje was selected for the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Department of Emergency Medicine Fellowship for Underrepresented Minorities in Medicine.
Above all, Ailoje pledges to be a doctor who prioritizes empathy and equality to all patients in the medical system. He also wants to help support other students like himself, who have the will but not the means to realize their dream of becoming a doctor. “I will always be filled with gratitude to Touro California for my education and for the belief they had in me, a belief they backed up with the financial help.”
For a long time, Casey Stillman toggled between wanting to teach children and teenagers and wanting to treat them. She seems to have found a way to do both.
She is a second-year student in the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology program at Touro University School of Health Sciences. Remarkably, in her very first year, Stillman researched and co-authored an article designed to help teachers and school counselors spot, support and refer to specialists, students with eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia. The piece was published in the journal Communiqué, a widely read school psychology magazine.
“In Dr. Emily Winter’s lab, she encourages us to begin publishing, and she told me to tap into my areas of interest,” says Stillman, 25.
“The program itself offers a great balance of research opportunities, coursework and clinical experience with a health emphasis,” she continues. “That emphasis allows for many interdisciplinary opportunities for my future. I could work in a children’s hospital, or even in private practice.”
The common thread for Stillman has always been around kids—working at a camp for children with cancer or interning in schools throughout college. Stillman describes herself in childhood as being “a different kind of kid. I worried more deeply than my peers and had some struggles in the classroom, which ultimately only motivated me more. My experiences have shaped the clinician I intend to become and the population I will work with.”
After she graduated with a degree in psychology from Franklin & Marshall College, Stillman was accepted into Teach for America. She spent two years teaching math in an underserved middle school.
While teaching full time, Stillman attended night classes and received a master’s in teaching. She decided the classroom wasn’t where she wanted to make her lasting imprint in the lives of children and teenagers.
“I’m in the right program and place to accomplish what I want to do in the future,” says Stillman, who is exploring the idea of working in a school setting, a children’s hospital or a mental health clinic. “I know that I want to work with children, adolescents and families to accomplish their social, emotional and mental health goals so that they can lead successful futures.”
For Anish Cheriyan, dentistry was an obvious career choice. Growing up on Long Island, New York, with parents who immigrated from India, Cheriyan’s family had major dental anxiety. As clichéd as it sounds, Cheriyan wanted to help people, and he also wanted to bust the myth that a dental office is a scary place. With a penchant for science, children and teaching, Cheriyan’s ultimate goal was to become a pediatric dentist and open his own private practice.
“Pediatric dentistry is not just about treating kids,” says Cheriyan. “It’s about teaching them, their parents, and sometimes even their grandparents, about basic oral hygiene and how to keep their teeth for as long as possible. It affects the whole community.”
A biology major at Stony Brook University, Cheriyan chose Touro College of Dental Medicine (TCDM) for its stellar faculty, motivated and friendly students, and advanced dental technology. He is currently a pediatric dental resident at Woodhall Medical Center, on the way to achieving his dream career.
As a child whose family didn’t focus on dental care, Cheriyan was greatly interested in health disparities and access to dental care for children. Taking that concern to the next level, Cheriyan took the opportunity to research the issue while in dental school under the mentorship of Dr. Jaffer Shariff and Dr. Daniela Gurpegui. “Touro College of Dental Medicine started its pediatric clinic in 2018. My research looked at how Touro has affected the population we serve over the course of the five years since it opened—how efficient it was in addressing the community’s health, were there any shortcomings and how we could create a plan to address any unmet needs,” said Cheriyan.
He and the research team learned that as age increases, patients are more likely to present with cavities. He found that recent immigrants had a higher risk for cavities and, surprisingly, they found that children from higher-income zip codes have a higher risk for cavities. It’s hard to understand why that is, but the hypothesis is that some of the kids studied may have been snacking much more than usual while they were home from school during COVID and professional parents were busy working. They are looking into other factors as well and planning to study what causes decay among children from high-income areas.
In terms of next steps, Cheriyan shares that TCDM already has an elementary school-based program called Give Kids a Smile that sends dental students into schools to teach about oral hygiene. “I recommend targeting the schools in our service areas that were found to have the highest rate of cavities. The Touro dental students can bring this program to the schools, educate about dental care and do exams for the kids, and then have the children come to our clinic for follow-up dental work. By screening a lot of patients from schools in high-decay areas, we can do a better service for the community we serve.”
Besides school-based education, Cheriyan has big plans that may impact dental care across the nation. “Every dental school has a different approach for treating the community and for assessing dental health. We want to publish how we do it at Touro and standardize the data assessment, so every dental school clinic uses the same process. Then we’d be able to compare data and assess how communities around the country are doing with dental hygiene and
Anish Cheriyan (left) at the TCDM Give Kids a Smile event, with Drs. Ruba Rizqalla and Lisa Patchen, volunteers from the Ninth District Dental Society.
outcomes,” explains Cheriyan.
Ultimately, the information from Cheriyan’s research has the power to provide health policymakers with valuable insight that will increase access to care. Now all he has to do is make the dentist’s office a friendly and phobia-free place!
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, America is facing a shortage of healthcare workers that’s likely to get worse in the coming years. In fact, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) estimates that, by 2036, America will have just 78 percent of the primary care physicians that it will need. This is particularly concerning, as the U.S. population continues to age and will require more healthcare services than ever before.
At Touro University, we’re working to solve this potential crisis by rapidly training the healthcare professionals of the future. At Touro University School of Health Sciences in New York and at the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in California, Nevada and New York, we’ve developed successful medical programs for physician assistants (PAs) and osteopathic physicians that are now being replicated in underserved communities across the country to meet this increasing need.
ORGANIC GROWTH THAT’S BUILT ON A SOLID FOUNDATION
Dr. Joe Tommasino is the vice president of PA program development and operations chairman of PA programs (Northeast) at the School of Health Sciences, which offered one of the four original PA programs in the country. “At Touro, we laid the foundation,” he shares. “Now, we have eight programs across the country, and we train and graduate the most PAs of any program.”
To accomplish this, the Touro team built a solid, reproducible infrastructure that was based on its original, traditional PA programs. This system has allowed the school to grow organically to eight programs, with two unique programs in the pipeline, and to create the necessary consistency that leads to excellence.
AtitsthreelocationsinMiddletownandHarlem, NewYork,andGreatFalls,Montana,TouroCollege ofOsteopathicMedicinetakesaslightlydifferent approach.AssociatePreclinicalDeanDr.Stephen Jonesexplains:“Ourpreclinicalcurriculumisidenticalacrossallthreecampuses.Wehaveaconsistent experience,andwhenweopenanewcampus,we don’t have to start from scratch.”
Eachcampusalsooffersa“CulturalCompetence inHealthcare”coursedesignedbycommunity leaderstoreflectlocalcultureandcustoms.Plus, studentscompletetheirclinicalrotationslocally, sotheylearntomeettheneedsofthepopulations theyserve.
Thesuccessoftheseprogramshingesonanumberoffactors—fromputtinginplaceclinicalhubs forPAtrainingthatprovideaconsistentexperiencetomaintainingafullstaffoffacultyateach oftheCollegeofOsteopathicMedicinecampuses,sostudentshavetheindividualsupportthey need.AsDr.Jonesenthuses,“TouroUniversity employsgreatteachers.Studentswhocome hereknowthatthefacultyisexcellentandreally care for their students.”
Daniel Friedman is a Ph.D, a rabbi, a scholar, a writer and a passionate political science professor who, nonetheless, understands that many of his students major in his specialty simply as an entry to law school.
“But some students discover the world of policy and diplomacy as gripping subjects that they engage with completely and decide they want to change the world,” continues Friedman, 48, who teaches, among other subjects, American Government, International Relations and Comparative Politics. “My role is to teach them all how to think critically, how to argue and disagree with me, based on facts, not feelings or opinions. In other words, my role is to help them become insightful, reflective, productive adults.”
Lizi Bugay was blown away by Friedman, whose American Politics class she took because she was an undeclared major so, why not give it a try? “I became deeply intrigued by the subject and his teaching and intelligence,” says Bugay, laughing. “He is enlightening, informative and passionate. Every time he entered the classroom, he had a
smile on his face.”
Friedman is a girl-dad to five, who was reared far and wide from the United Kingdom to Canada to Australia to America. His areas of expertise include Nationalism, Middle East Policy, Interest Groups, Christian Zionism, and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement.
A rabbi who has served in pulpits across the globe, Friedman is the founder of the Center for Torah Values and was the inaugural chair of the National Holocaust Monument of Canada.
THE WORLD AT THEIR DOOR
Friedman’s students understand immediately that they’re getting the real deal, a religious, policy and diplomatic renaissance man whose primary passion happens to be teaching present and future generations. “All the professors in my department welcome argument, questions, differences of opinion, discussion, he says. ”We want smart, engaged, thoughtful students who yearn to broaden themselves, to go out into the world and make it a better and better place. Read The Economist, read The Atlantic, listen to the BBC—it’s all out there for the taking!”
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE A CAREER IN HEALTH MANAGEMENT CONSULTING?
I started my career as an actuary, specializing in actuarial health consulting. After speaking with others in the field, I realized it would be a dynamic environment where I could work with talented people, stay challenged and apply my unique skill set. The actuarial profession is a niche field and less saturated than some others, indicating that I would be more in demand and have a higher level of job security compared to other professions, which I appreciated.
HOW DID YOU TRANSITION FROM ACTUARY TO YOUR CURRENT ROLE AS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, HEALTH MANAGEMENT CONSULTING AT AON?
I started as an actuarial analyst at Aon nearly 13 years ago. Most actuaries work for insurance companies or consulting firms, and I knew I was interested in the consulting route given its fastpaced nature and the opportunity to have direct client interaction.
I gravitated towards a healthcare specialization, as both my parents work in healthcare, so it is familiar to me and has become a true passion. Soon, it was clear there is a lot of opportunity for actuaries specializing in healthcare, as the industry carries a lot of risk and uncertainty. Back when I started, the Affordable Care Act was just introduced and there were many questions around the financial impacts of the policy. Now, the discussion is focused on weight loss medications and the associated cost exposure for health plans that cover it. When there are new developments in healthcare, clients come to us asking, “How can I plan for this?” “How will it af-
fect our business and how should I budget for it?” and these sorts of questions excite me.
Gradually, I took on more roles and responsibilities and now am a Senior Vice President in Health Solutions at Aon. I specialize in employer benefits consulting and get the opportunity to work with some of the largest and most complex clients including major hospital systems, investment banks and retail companies. Every major company has an employee healthcare program, and my work involves designing, budgeting and managing these programs across industries to ensure alignment with the client’s talent and financial strategy.
CAN YOU SHARE A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT?
I put together thought leadership for our practice and assess new products and services. I also spend time on new business development, identifying and acting on opportunities to work with new clients or engage further with existing clients. My day is filled with a lot of meetings, both internal and with external clients, to discuss project status and deliverables. I’m also constantly taking trainings and conducting research, as it’s crucial to stay on top of developments in the industry to understand trends and expertly advise clients.
WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I’m most proud of passing all the actuarial exams and earning fellowship (FSA) designation —even though it was at the beginning of my career, it was a great achievement. Now, I am proud of balancing two critical roles—senior
leader at my firm and wife and mother to five children at home.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
This job is constantly challenging and keeps me on a path where I am constantly learning, building new skills and leveraging my creativity, as no two clients are the same. As consultants, we pride ourselves on knowing everything in the field to be able to expertly guide clients in a comprehensive and data-driven manner. It is truly a dynamic field that keeps me engaged every day.
HOW DOES YOUR WORK IMPACT
HEALTHCARE DELIVERY AND ACCESS IN THE U.S.?
I work with employers on benefits they provide to their employees, which covers healthcare for more than 50 percent of the U.S. population. We help employers keep costs down while supporting their employees’ health and wellbeing. Our clients are generally early adopters of new technologies so we’re on the forefront of healthcare innovations. For example, one of the most transformative changes in healthcare delivery has been the emergence of virtual healthcare, including telemedicine and digital apps where you can chat with clinicians, mental health professionals and physical therapists. We were vetting this space on behalf of our clients years ago, but virtual healthcare only became mainstream after the COVID-19 pandemic. This is game-changing in broadening access, especially in mental healthcare where traditionally there have been provider shortages.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER WOMEN WHO SEEK LEADERSHIP ROLES IN CORPORATE AMERICA?
We are at an historic time in terms of opportunities for women, where many corporations seek female leadership and are willing to make accommodations to be flexible. My advice is, don’t be afraid of obstacles
in starting a family and don’t feel that you need to cut corners with your professional goals because you have children. If you are qualified and you want to grow into a leadership role, you can and you will succeed. I have noticed a major difference in flexibility in the workforce even over the last decade, where now is a great time for talented women to rise through the ranks. When I had my first child, I took the minimum maternity leave of six weeks; upon my return to the office, there were limited accommodations for working mothers. When I had my most recent baby about a year ago, I was much more comfortable taking a longer leave due to more support for mothers and families. And with the rise of remote working, many companies offer flexibility and the option to work from home.
HOW DID YOUR TOURO EDUCATION PLAY A ROLE IN YOUR CURRENT SUCCESS?
I majored in actuarial science at Touro at a time when very few local colleges offered it (most only offered a math major for those interested in becoming an actuary). I had an amazing professor who prepared us incredibly well for the actuarial exams I credit him with enabling me to pass them on the first attempt.
Touro was visionary in allowing me to be, likely, the very first online student. During college, I moved overseas and did not want to switch schools, as I really liked Touro’s actuarial science program. I pitched the idea of using Skype to take class in 2009, well before it was widely used, and the dean agreed. Touro went out on a limb for me, even arranging a special computer setup. I remember telling the dean that this was going to open opportunities for others who needed flexibility, and that prediction has certainly come true. I finished my coursework abroad, thanks to Touro’s support, which made a tremendous difference in reaching my academic and professional goals.
Many universities pride themselves on their high rankings, their students’ top scores on professional exams, and the rate of admissions to graduate schools and placement at nationally recognized employers. At Touro, our students ace the CPA exam and have more than 95 percent acceptance rates to professional schools. Beyond that, they are learning to excel in the tests of life, as they are being trained to address legal and moral questions that arise in virtually every profession, the kind that most schools don’t teach their students how to handle. For example, how should a doctor proceed when a family decides to disconnect life support from a relative in a vegetative state if his religious beliefs do not allow him to take an active role in hastening death? What if a financial analyst is pressured by their supervisor to produce an overly rosy forecast to attract investors or satisfy management?
How should a healthcare professional respond if their superior pushes them to order unnecessary tests for patients for the sake of bringing additional revenue to the practice? And what should a therapist do if a client will only admit to being abused if the therapist promises to not report it?
At Touro University’s Lander College for Men (LCM), faculty anticipate ethical challenges students are likely to encounter in various professions and equip them with skills they’ll need to ensure they won’t compromise their values while trying to achieve professional success.
A decade ago, in an effort to address the gap between theoretical knowledge and ethical sensibilities on the one hand, and practical moral dilemmas on the other, LCM instituted a requirement that every student complete a semester-long course that delves into ethical conundrums related to their intended profession. It is believed to be the only post-high school program in the country where such a course is necessary in order to graduate.
“Every college strives to provide their students with a robust education that will enable their graduates to thrive in their intended careers,” said Dr. Henry Abramson, dean of LCM. “But we also consider it our responsibility to instill our students with values, so they don’t lose sight of their moral compass when they leave us. Our goal is to produce graduates who aren’t just skilled professionals: They’re also ethical people.”
The members of the faculty who teach the classes are experts in their respective fields, as well as professional practitioners. They bring to bear not only their scholarly background, but their real-world experiences, so that students are exposed to the lived moral dimensions of their intended professions.
The program includes lessons on ethical questions that have emerged in recent years with the rapid advancement in the field of biomedical technology, such as the science and ethics of gene editing or of human reproduction.
“One shouldn’t underestimate the idea that new
technology has ethical challenges,” according to Dr. John Loike, a professor of biology who teaches the medical ethics course. “It is possible to take a hair off of your head and isolate a stem cell and create a gamete and use that to fertilize an egg. You’ll never know. Is that good or bad? It depends—is there some medical benefit, or is it just being used for academic purposes?”
Lander College alumni who took the class on ethics have said that the course helped prepare them for those aspects of the workplace.
“By teaching ethics and morals in business, it prepared us to excel as principled leaders in the workforce,” said Yonatan Katz, a computer science major at LCM who is headed for an AI role at Deloitte. “Moreover, the training empowers graduates to build trust, foster collaboration and lead with purpose in the ever-evolving global economy, ensuring they are not only successful professionals but also representatives of positive change in the world.”
Touro University in New York utilizes digital learning tools to provide simulation experiences for social work students taking classes online, helping build their soft skills for working with people.
The practicum is a critical piece of experiential learning for students entering healthcare fields as they learn to navigate interacting with patients and providing professional care. At Touro University in New York, online learners in the Master of Social Work program can practice before working with real patients thanks to a new generative artificial intelligence pilot.
The AI program is embedded in students’ courses, allowing them personalized and immediate feedback on their performance without the pressure of impacting patient care. The software also provides instructors with data on class performance and skills.
The initiative has proven beneficial in building students’ confidence and technical skills as they move into real client care.
What’s the need: The Graduate School of Social Work at Touro University launched a fully online master’s program in 2023, allowing students to take courses remotely, but students still needed a way to demonstrate practical application of
their learning and clinical skills.
Clinical social work training is based on a competence model, so students must show they have learned specific skills and can apply them effectively using critical thinking and ethical principles.
To provide a new kind of experiential learning, Jamie Sundvall, director of the online Master of Social Work program, led the adoption of an AI platform that simulates clinical visits with patients and requires students to apply what they’ve learned.
How it works: Touro uses Simucase Clinical Simulations’ simulated scenarios, in which students must navigate a conversation with a patient through selecting suggested prompts. Based on the student’s selections, the platform will give guidance on if that was a positive interaction or if students should consider a better response.
Each scenario models ethical decision-making and challenges that can come up in remote or online practice, such as a clinical assessment, which could be a therapy/agency intake, risk assessment, substance use assessment or general mental health assessment.
The platform produces individual performance reports in addition to the live feedback, which
is also available to course instructors so they can evaluate students’ strengths or areas for improvement and growth.
Having this aggregated performance data from course participants can inform an instructor’s course content and illuminate where learners need additional lectures or demonstrations to improve skills.
One important consideration for the program was ensuring the AI pulled from a more closed source to prevent negative impacts to student learning, such as AI hallucinations biases against certain people, demographic groups or misinformation.
The impact: All students engaged with simulations in half of their foundation-year curriculum this past academic year.
Student evaluations from the year since launch have been positive, with comments noting the importance of practicing different approaches while using critical thinking and clinical communication skills in real time. Learners also have said they appreciated the immediate feedback
and how it prepared them for working with live patients.
One scenario that was particularly beneficial for students was working with a young client who was expressing suicidal ideation. Learners could see when they should apply their practical knowledge versus considering the client’s needs, such as building rapport.
Another benefit was a boost in student confidence as they practiced without the stress of others observing them make mistakes or try different approaches. Practicum supervisors shared they also saw a difference in students who worked with AI prior to their in-person work because they made fewer “beginner mistakes,” with less impact to patients.
In the future, Touro plans to continue embedding tech into the student experience, including AI programs like a virtual professor who can answer clinical questions and interact with learners if the human professor is out of office or unavailable.
Reprinted with permission from Inside Higher Ed
WITH NATIONAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION RECOGNITION, TOURO IS SET TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF MUCH-NEEDED CYBERSECURITY PROFESSIONALS
Nearly every day, there’s another news report about a data breach that’s exposed the sensitive information of millions of people or some hacker group that’s using ransomware to extort money from a corporation. In today’s information-driven world, knowing how to protect data, systems and networks is not only a highly-sought skill—it’s also critical for both personal and national security.
Touro University is training the next generation of much-needed cybersecurity professionals, and the school’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Network Administration program was awarded the National Security Agency’s (NSA) prestigious designation of Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD).
There are only about 400 schools in the U.S.—and just 19 in New York—that have earned this designation. “The National Science Foundation and the Department of Homeland Security designed this program to cultivate a culture of excellence in cybersecurity through rigorous curriculum and program requirements,” explains Touro’s associate
director of cybersecurity, Satchit Hegde. “Touro is proud to be part of this community of schools committed to developing the cyber workforce.”
NSA
NSA designation is a distinction that’s awarded by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program, which is managed by NSA’s National Cryptologic School. The program was established as a partnership with educational institutions to develop cybersecurity curriculum standards of excellence and to ensure the competency of students and faculty.
Graduates from Touro’s Cybersecurity and Network Administration bachelor’s program have already found success in the industry and currently work for organizations like Google; Citi; TransUnion; the City of New York Office of Labor Relations; the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration; Fabuwood; and Global Tech Solutions in roles such as cybersecurity consultant, DevOps engineer, cybersecurity architect, data engineering manager, director of technology and security analyst.
Touro University is committed to preparing the country’s future business leaders.
The accounting program at Touro’s Lander College of Arts and Sciences—among the best in New York—boasts an impressive number two ranking in New York State on the CPA exam. In addition, 95 percent of Touro graduates are hired or in grad school within six months of graduation.
Touro’s program goes beyond the basics and includes courses in business, computer and communications skills that students need to pass the CPA and get ahead in the accounting profession—in a supportive Jewish environment that reflects the values of their students.
Samuel Lowenthal, CPA, MBA, is a Touro alum who credits the program for helping him rise in the ranks to become tax partner at Deloitte, where he works today. “Accounting is a great profession and it’s also a potential gateway to a lot of other business areas and careers. Touro gave me a strong education in accounting. I had excellent professors, with a blend of deep academic and professional accounting backgrounds. In addition, Touro prepared me well for my advanced degree and for the CPA exam. Touro was a launching point for my career,” he said.
For Michael Sharf, a Touro alum and a managing director at Ernst & Young, Touro encouraged excellence. “Touro provided an environment supportive of my personal and cultural background.
95%
Employed
95% of accounting (CPA) grads employed or enrolled in a graduate program six months after earning their B.S. degree.
2nd Highest Pass Rate
On the Uniform CPA exam among all colleges and universities in New York State.
I also had outstanding professors who taught their classes in a clear and thorough manner. This formed the foundation in accounting and business matters upon which I built my entire academic and professional career.”
Touro accounting alums can be found at the most prominent public accounting firms in the country, including BKD, Deloitte, EisnerAmper, Grant Thornton, KPMG, Ernst & Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and RSM. Others have succeeded in their accounting careers at non-public accounting venues, including Goldman Sachs and Meridian Capital Group.
Mr. Abraham Biderman
Mr. Shmuel Braun
Dr. Benjamin Chouake
Mr. Allen Fagin
Mr. Howard Friedman
Dr. Zahava Friedman
Dr. Alan Kadish
Mr. Zvi Ryzman President Chair
Mr. Gilles Gade
Rabbi Menachem Genack
Mr. Solomon Goldfinger
Mr. Abraham Gutnicki
Mrs. Debra Hartman
Mrs. Judy Kaye
Rabbi Doniel Lander
Mr. Brian Levinson
Mr. Dovid Lichtenstein
Mr. Martin Oliner
Dr. Lawrence Platt
Mrs. Margaret Retter
Mr. Stephen Rosenberg
Mr. Israel Sendrovic
Mr. Gary Torgow
Mr. Jack Weinreb
Rabbi Shabsai Wolfe
Mr. Steven Zuller