CMSRU names two longtime faculty members Professor Emeritus
August 29
Steven Ross, MD, and Nagaswami Vasan, DVM, MVSc, PhD, appointed by Rowan University’s Board of Trustees
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU) proudly announces the appointment of two distinguished faculty members, Dr. Steven E. Ross and Dr. Nagaswami Vasan, as Professor Emeritus. This honor, bestowed by Rowan University’s Board of Trustees, recognizes their decades of exceptional service and contributions to the medical and scientific communities.
Dr. Steven E. Ross
Dr. Ross, Vice Chair of the Department of Surgery, served as the longtime head of Cooper Trauma, the region’s only state-designated Level 1 Trauma Center, until he stepped down in 2015
“Dr. Ross has had an impressive career as a clinician, educator, and researcher. His work in trauma surgery and critical care has saved countless lives and established Cooper as a national leader in trauma care,” said Annette C. Reboli, Dean of CMSRU. “We are honored to bestow this highest academic ranking on Dr. Ross.”
Dr. Ross’s clinical and research interests include trauma systems, pre-hospital trauma care, and emergency resuscitation, operative intervention, intensive care management, and rehabilitation of injury victims. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and numerous book chapters in these fields. Dr. Ross has received a number of awards for his work including the Diane Barton award. Dr. Ross has also received multiple awards for teaching, including the W. Eric Scott MD Award. He has held prominent leadership roles, including Chair of the New Jersey Chapter of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, founding member and Chair of the New Jersey State Trauma Center Council, and President of the Philadelphia Academy of Surgery.
Dr. Ross serves on the Cooper Board of Trustees and was a member of the CMSRU Medical School Board.
Dr. Nagaswami Vasan
Dr. Nagaswami Vasan is a renowned researcher, medical educator, and scholar in anatomy and developmental biology. Following 20 years of basic science research, in 1996 he transitioned his career to advancing medical education, particularly in the field of pedagogy. Dr. Vasan is recognized as a leader in team-based learning and has published extensively on the subject. He has conducted numerous workshops and presentations both nationally and internationally, contributing significantly to the field of medical education
A Master Educator, Dr. Vasan has received numerous honors and awards throughout his career including a dozen Golden Apple teaching awards and induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Society. In 2009, he was awarded the prestigious Edward J. Ill Excellence in Medicine Award for Outstanding Medical Educator and was recognized by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey with a resolution honoring him as the Outstanding Medical Educator. He is also a Harvard Macy Scholar and serves as a faculty member in that program.
“Dr. Vasan has had an impressive career as a researcher and educator. This appointment as Professor Emeritus also marks his retirement,” said Dean Reboli. “Being named Professor Emeritus is a significant honor, and we are so pleased to recognize the valuable contributions he has made at CMSRU in this way.”
Dr. Vasan joined CMSRU in 2013 and was among the first core faculty in the Department of Biomedical Sciences. Before joining CMSRU, he was a tenured professor of anatomy at New Jersey Medical School.
In addition to his research, Dr. Vasan has been an active learning group facilitator, playing a vital role in the education and mentorship of students. As Professor Emeritus, he will have the opportunity to continue contributing to CMSRU through voluntary lectures, laboratory teaching, mentoring students and junior faculty, and pursuing ongoing research.
“We extend our best wishes to Dr. Vasan on his retirement and look forward to welcoming him back to campus soon to share his wisdom and knowledge with our current and future students,” added Dean Reboli.