Welcome ALUMNI of San Juan Bautista School of Medicine

To All Alumni of San Juan Bautista School of Medicine:

 For those of you who do not know me, my name is Morris Wishnia, an MD graduate of the 2015 Class and Past-President of the Student Council. I write to you all today to present a concept that will depend on you for its realization.

 I have always believed that one of the advantages of going to a small school, like San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, is that you have a strong support system. Like a family, everyone knows your name and everything about you, you aren’t just merely an ID number. As a result, in our school, it is easier to meet others with similar interests and build relationships with several classmates, professors and staff throughout the years. When you think back and remember dancing to a parranda at the International Fair, getting soaked in the Goofy Games, drinking coquitos during Christmas, camping under the stars in Fajardo, paddling in the Bioluminescent Bay, ziplining La Bestia at Toroverde, escaping to Culebra, Caja de Muerto or Rincon for the weekend, partying locally in Los Prados or at Al Fresco, or making your way to El Viejo San Juan, Condado or La Placita for the night – medical school does not sound like it was all that bad. Those memories that we formed during school make-up part of who we are today and will thus last with us forever.

However, while the memories remain, I have noticed that the connections we’ve made with others are being lost. Year after year, I have seen students graduate from the school and never heard from again. Not only do they lose connection with the school, but with other classmates. As they begin to work and form new relationships in residency, get married, have children, and start their careers, they allow life to pull them in many different directions and lose the connections and relationships they once had.

 Yet, in a world where social media and networking is so prevalent, this should not be happening. Therefore, as of graduation, I have been working with a start-up committee of students, deans and staff in establishing an

Alumni Society for San Juan Bautista School of Medicine. The purpose of this society would be to create a community and network of graduates from all programs (MD, MPH, and Nursing) of San Juan Bautista School of Medicine. By forming this group of individuals, the school will be able to create events, such as reunions, local meet-ups and networking events, facilitate communication between classmates, as well as, maintain alumni updated on the school’s progress and upcoming projects.

 In order to proceed, this is what I ask of you:

1. Check out SJB’s new website: Go to sanjuanbautista.edu, click on the Students Life tab and then the Alumni tab and fill out the short and secure registration form so that we can build a database with up-to-date information.

Note: There is no cost to be part of the Alumni Society.

1. Follow SJB on social media: We know there are several groups out there, but please follow the official SJB accounts – LinkedIn; SanJuan Bautista School of Medicine, Facebook; Escuela De Medicina SanJuan Bautista

1. Spread the word: Help us tell your friends to register and follow SJB, by sending e-mails to your classmates and posting on social media. Your SJB emails have been re-activated to assist with this.

1. Join the Start-Up Committee: We need students from all different classes to be part of the Start-Up Committee so that we can elect a Board and ensure that the interests of all alumni are being represented. Meetings are at most, monthly, and can be attended via Skype. Please contact alumni@sanjuanbautista.edu if you are interested.

 As I mentioned before, I am merely presenting an opportunity to you all. I gain no personal benefit from this establishment other than keeping connected with my friends, professors and school. I have taken the initial steps in launching this, and now I leave the decision to join, be part, and make this society a reality to each and every one of you. Should it work, I then hope to see you all at our first event.

If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to contact the SJB Alumni Coordinator, Marta R. Fuentes, at (787) 743-3038 ext. 251 or alumni@sanjuanbautista.edu. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

 Sincerely,

 Morris Alexander Wishnia, MD - ALUMNI2015