Advancing Alumni

ALUMNI JOB BOARD HAS FRESH LOOK AND NEW POSITIONS

Institutional Advancement is thrilled to announce the newly redesigned PCOM Alumni Job Board. This web-based resource allows employers to post positions of interest to graduates of all of PCOM’s programs and shares job listings in a streamlined and organized way. The board features openings at organizations across the country, and jobs that are posted by PCOM alumni-owned enterprises have a special notation. The job opportunities are varied and include traditional positions in health and behavioral health, as well as several that provide unique ways to utilize the training and education received at PCOM. Institutional Advancement is partnering with several leading healthcare organizations, including Havas Health & You, a unified healthcare communications agency specializing in digital marketing and advertising, and Oxeon Partners, a healthcare growth services firm. About working with PCOM, Cheryl Fielding, group president of Havas Health & You, said, “As competition increases for certain skillsets, employers must get more creative about searching for talent. Forming direct relationships with fantastic institutions like PCOM is a win-win for companies and alumni. PCOM is a welcome partner for Havas Health, given its rich collection of programs, and its geographical reach.” Submit a job opening or search the current listings today at alumni.pcom.edu/jobboard.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS COMMUNITY RESEARCH GRANTS

The PCOM Alumni Association has dedicated financial resources to supporting research for students and faculty. Through a highly competitive process, the following projects were awarded Community Research Grant Stipends: • Exploring Barriers to Receiving Medical and Mental Health Services in Rural Environments in partnership with Turning Point Care Center, a behavioral health hospital in Moultrie, Georgia » Led by Shari Allen, PharmD, associate professor, pharmacy practice and Marcella Rolle, MEd, assistant professor, counseling, with six students from all three PCOM locations • PCOM Partners: Empowering Community Members to Reduce COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in partnership with Nothing but the

Truth, a community ministry offering a variety of services, and Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry, a community food bank ministry, both located in Lawrenceville, Georgia » Led by Brian Matayoshi, PhD, professor, physiology, with nine students from various programs • Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Within the BIPOC Population Through Direct Grassroots Engagement with Local Churches in partnership with Hope and Life Church, Lawrenceville, Georgia » Led by Valerie Cadet, PhD, associate professor, microbiology and immunology and Edo-abasi McGee, PharmD, assistant professor, pharmacy practice, with four students in Pharmacy and DO programs Grantees will submit reports of their results to the Alumni Association upon completion. For more information about the PCOM Alumni Association, visit alumni.pcom.edu/alumniassociation.

Q&A

JOHNNY LOPS, DO ’06 – PSYCHIATRIST AND PRODUCER OF OSCAR-NOMINATED FILM

As a psychiatrist with an active private practice in New York City, Johnny Lops, DO ’06, has always been fascinated by people and the motives behind their behavior. This same fascination serves as the driving force for Dr. Lops’ second career as a film producer. With past projects including Who Took Johnny (2014), All the Rage: Saved by Sarno (2016) and Spelling the Dream (2017), Dr. Lops considers himself to be a social impact producer, creating films that bring justice and equity to the forefront. Feeling Through (2020), the latest project on which he was an associate producer, was nominated for a 2021 Oscar for Best Short Film (Live Action). Chronicling a late-night encounter between a homeless teen and a deafblind man, Feeling Through is the first-ever movie to feature a deafblind actor in a lead role. PCOM sat down with this psychiatrist-producer for some Q&A.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A PRODUCER?

“The producer role gives you a more holistic view. You see the script, give feedback, be on set and make observations. I like to tell stories about people, which I think ties into my career in psychiatry. A lot of my work is in documentaries, and I like how they give you a bird’s-eye view of other people’s lives and stories.”

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH FEELING THROUGH?

“I met the director, Doug, through a friend I made while acting in a show called From Date to Mate. When Doug said he wanted to make a film with the first deafblind actor, I knew I had to be a part of it. We don’t like to think about someone being deaf or blind, let alone deaf and blind. How do you do something so simple as getting across the street?”

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO BE NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR?

“Having Nick Jonas call our film for an Oscar nomination didn’t feel real. It was bananas. While we did not win the Oscar, we are incredibly grateful to have been nominated. The film is now at 3.6 million views on YouTube, which I think highlights the interest and importance of this film. Studios are also interested in creating a feature of it. So despite the loss, the momentum built by the nomination has created the relationships to possibly take the short to a feature form and provide more exploration into the deafblind community.”

WHAT IMPACT DO YOU HOPE YOUR FILMS HAVE?

“I hope viewers walk away with inspiration, education and acceptance. We’re at a time right now in the world where we are finally starting to focus on those who are different than us. I think these films are an opportunity to educate and gain introspection about those who are different from us. Film is one of the most powerful ways to introduce people to challenging topics. Film is also healing, and it’s magical in that ability.”