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Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School first-year student Aleksandra Hussain spent years in the foster-care system after her parents, who were immigrants, were unable to return to the United States. Aleksandra took on the responsibility of caring for herself and her sister. This experience helped her become more focused on achieving something better for herself and she pursued a career in medicine, striving to care for underserved communities.

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A recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed the incidence of people seriously considering suicide in the prior 30 days almost doubled over the previous year. For essential workers, that figure jumps to 21.7 percent. Anticipating the more significant impact on clinicians’ mental health, the Department of Psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School has been coordinating several initiatives designed to address mental and behavioral issues that could increase suicide risk.

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Peter Davey was admitted to the hospital after a hypoxic brain injury. Neurosurgeons including Dr. Gaurav Gupta at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School did not think Peter would survive, and even after performing life-saving surgery, it was not clear that he would be able to regain the ability to walk, talk, read or write. A year later, Peter has regained all his mental and physical abilities. Dr. Gupta attributes this outcome not only to Peter’s determination and stamina, but also the resilience of his mother.

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New Jersey’s rate of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) is the third lowest in the United States according to information issued this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The state’s rate has been consistently one of the lowest for well over a decade due to the statewide programs of the SIDS Center of New Jersey that educate parents, caregivers and health professionals and many other providers on how to reduce the risk of sudden unexpected death in infants.

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At 3 a.m. in early September, when most people were still in their beds, more than 400 viewers in China were logged in to a special broadcast, translated in Chinese, focused on neuro-tech and global neurosurgery issues. They were among the thousands of neurosurgeons, residents, medical students and other professionals who tuned in each day to a massive, three-day Global Neurosurgery symposium in September, “Global Neurosurgery: Ask Not for Whom the Bell Tolls.”

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, most children are spending more time on screens since other activities are limited. With children also participating in virtual learning, many parents are concerned that this increased use of screen time could be detrimental to their child’s development. A Rutgers pediatrician discusses the research on screen time for children, and how families can come up with a plan that is thoughtful, and also realistic.

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Puberty is a critical stage in child development and can be a trying time for both children and parents. For some adolescents, however, a delay or early onset of puberty can have long-term negative effects, including future infertility. A study by principle investigate Sally Radovick, MD, explores these implications.

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From dog walking and grocery runs to coordinating PPE donations and assisting with new telehealth initiatives, medical students at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, are volunteering their assistance to support the healthcare workforce, patients and communities in New Jersey during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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As COVID-19 concerns resulted in cancellations of events throughout the state, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School made plans for an alternate, online event that would enable students, faculty and staff—as well as family and friends—to share their joy and “get virtual hugs” of congratulations on their matches.

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A collaboration between scientists at Rutgers University and The Scripps Research Institute led to the discovery of a small molecule that may slow down or stop the progression of Parkinson's Disease.

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Philadelphia Eagles Chair and CEO Jeffrey Lurie championed a new signature fundraising event, the Eagles Autism Challenge, to raise funds for innovative autism research and programs. To assist him in these efforts, Lurie appointed a professor of neuroscience and cell biology and pediatrics at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School to serve as the lead scientific advisor.

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A new, free mobile app, Baby be Well, helps families keep their infants safe throughout the first year of life. By incorporating activities that encourage frequent return visits, the app provides users with proven guidance of safe sleep practices to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

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Children who may be genetically at-risk perform as well as their peers on vocabulary assessments at age 3 when their parents read with them from a very young age.

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Dr. Konstantin Balashov was on board a helicopter that made an emergency landing on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, injuring three people. The only physician on board, he provided urgent medical aid to the injured passengers, preventing a possible severe disability for one.

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A nationally recognized Rutgers cardiologist recommends that aspirin be used as primary prevention for cardiovascular disease only with select patients, saying that the scientific evidence is too diverse to support a one-size-fits-all approach.

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Pregnant women diagnosed with chronic hypertension, or persistent high blood pressure, are more at risk for pregnancy-related complications, maternal death and adverse outcomes for their newborns.

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According to the National Safety Council (NSC), on average, there are more than three dozen children dying in parked cars every year. In 2018, that number climbed to 52. Dr. Ernest G. Leva of Rutgers Health suggests creating new routines and reminders to help avoid these tragedies.

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It’s estimated that more than 8,000 American children are currently fighting MS. The most common presentations of the disease include visual impairment, transverse myelitis, arm-leg weakness, sensory disturbances, inflammation of the spinal cord, or balance problems. And like most diseases, early intervention offers the greatest hope of mitigating patients’ symptoms. Pediatric neurologist Vikram Bhise, MD, at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, has dedicated his career to treating MS and other central demyelinating diseases. The only dedicated pediatric MS program in the state, Rutgers Health works to provide cutting-edge therapies, patient and family education, and access to clinical trials.

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The N.J. Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) has awarded a $385,000 grant to Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School’s Division of Addiction Psychiatry to conduct opioid and naloxone trainings for the state’s employment program for individuals affected by the opioid epidemic.