NEOMED’s Department of Family and Community Medicine welcomed a new curriculum coordinator in August. Meet Rebecca Johnson, M.S., M.Ed.!
Tell us about yourself, Rebecca.
RJ: I grew up around the Akron area. In college, I studied biotechnology, then went on to do cancer research during graduate school, which landed me a job working in Washington D.C. for a cancer research company. I spent a little over a year in D.C. and eventually decided that I wanted to get into the education field, so I moved back to Ohio and went to Kent State University for an additional graduate degree — this one in higher education administration.
What inspired you to transition from the world of research to higher education?
RJ: I really like working with students and that’s something I’m passionate about. Deciding to move from research into education and working with students who are interested in research and these biology fields seemed like the perfect fit for me.
What brought you to NEOMED?
RJ: I always wanted to work for a medical school, and I had the opportunity to do an internship in NEOMED’s College of Pharmacy Office of Assessment. The University is very involved with its students and into service learning. I think giving back to the community is very important. I respect that NEOMED is so involved with the surrounding communities.
Tell us about your role as a curriculum coordinator in the DFCM.
RJ: I split my time working with the Department of Family and Community Medicine’s three integrated pathway programs — rural, urban primary care and social justice — and Northeast Ohio Area Health Education Center. I coordinate activities for the pathway programs and pipeline programs in Northeast Ohio for health professions students, work with admission and recruitment of students, help with seminars and more.