Newswise — Dr. Jennifer Caudle, a family physician, medical correspondent and assistant professor at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine has been tapped to be one of seven 2017 Miss America Competition Preliminary Judges.

No stranger to the Miss America stage, Dr. Caudle, also known as “Dr. Jen,” was Miss Iowa 1999 and competed in the 1999 Miss America Competition. She was awarded the Bert Parks Non-Finalist Talent Award for her cello performance during that year. Dr. Caudle states that coming back to the Miss America stage as a judge is a “dream come true.”

“Having the opportunity to compete in the Miss America Competition was life-changing,” says Caudle. “I learned so much through the Miss America Organization and had the opportunity to perform community service and receive scholarship money that not only helped pay for college but medical school as well. To return as a preliminary judge is an honor.”

In 2016, Dr. Caudle was appointed an ambassador of the Miss America State Titleholders Association (MASTA), an organization that recognizes and promotes the accomplishments of Miss America Organization former state titleholders. As a MASTA representative, Caudle hosted the Preliminary Swimsuit Competition at the 2016 Miss America Competition.

In addition to being a Rowan Medicine family physician, Dr. Caudle teaches medical students and residents at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. She is also a medical correspondent and regularly appears on Fox News, CBS Philly News, CNN, The Dr. Oz Show and many others. Dr. Caudle also writes articles for cnn.com/opinion, The Huffington Post and others, and is widely quoted by magazines and publications nationally.

“Competing in the Miss America Organization gave me so much confidence,” Caudle says. “From my work as a physician to serving as an on-camera medical correspondent, skills that I gained through the Miss America Organization are skills that I use in my everyday life.”

The preliminary competition consists of the following phases: Interview, On-stage question, Talent, Evening Wear and Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit. Caudle states, “All phases of competition are so important. They allow each young woman to display her intelligence, her commitment to community service, her dedication to a healthy lifestyle, her confidence and so much more.”

The Miss America Organization is largest provider of scholarship assistance to young women in the United States.

The competition will be held in Atlantic City, New Jersey- Preliminary Competition nights are September 6, 7 and 8 and the final competition night will be broadcast live on ABC on September 11, 2016.

About Rowan UniversityRowan University offers bachelor’s through doctoral programs to 16,100 students through its campuses in Glassboro, Camden and Stratford, New Jersey. In the past four years, Rowan created a School of Biomedical Sciences & Health Professions; opened the Camden-based Cooper Medical School of Rowan University; and incorporated the School of Osteopathic Medicine and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, making Rowan only the second university in the nation to grant both M.D. and D.O. medical degrees. Rowan is collaborating with Rutgers-Camden to create degree programs to meet the growing need for medical services in the City of Camden. One of only three state-designated public research institutions in New Jersey, Rowan comprises the University's William G. Rohrer College of Business, the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering and colleges of Communication & Creative Arts, Education, Humanities & Social Sciences, Performing Arts, and Science & Mathematics and the Division of Global Learning & Partnerships, as well as the medical schools.