RENAISSANCE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE ALUMNI CHAPTER

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

Dr. Nell Maloney Patel ‘01

Dr. Nell Maloney Patel is a Professor of Surgery and Vice Chair for Education at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where she has been a faculty member since 2007. After completing her medical degree, she pursued a Surgery residency in Norfolk, Virginia, followed by a Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship in Chicago. A passionate advocate for surgical education, she served as Program Director for the General Surgery Residency Program from 2016 to 2024, during which she expanded the program and introduced innovative curricula to enhance resident training. Her leadership helped realign the program within the health system and grow it from six to eight categorical residents.

Nationally recognized for her contributions to surgical education, Dr. Maloney Patel teaches courses on effective teaching and career development and was honored with the Association for Surgical Education’s Philip J. Wolfson Outstanding Teacher Award. She is proud to be the first female Full Professor of Surgery at Rutgers RWJMS, a milestone that reflects her commitment to mentorship and representation. She credits the mentorship she received at Stony Brook—where she also met her husband—as foundational to her career.

Dr. Farrukh Jafri ‘09

Dr. Farrukh Jafri is an academic emergency physician, researcher, and nationally recognized innovator in transitional care, telehealth, and medical education. Within 15 years of graduating from medical school, Dr. Jafri has pioneered remote patient monitoring programs and virtual medication management strategies that have significantly reduced hospital readmissions among high-risk populations, including patients with heart failure, COPD, and diabetes. With over 30 peer-reviewed publications and numerous national presentations, his work has shaped best practices in post-acute care, integrating digital health tools and predictive analytics to improve outcomes and health equity. His research has also advanced the role of continuous glucose monitoring, FEV1 tracking, and clinical pharmacy integration in transitional care, influencing institutional and national healthcare strategies.

Beyond clinical innovation, Dr. Jafri is a dedicated educator and thought leader whose simulation-based training programs have transformed how healthcare providers are prepared for high-stakes emergencies. His work in crisis resource management and quality improvement has been adopted across multiple hospitals, featured in international podcasts, and recognized by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). As a mentor and advocate for digital health equity, Dr. Jafri continues to lead initiatives that bridge innovation, education, and patient-centered care—earning national awards, editorial board appointments, and a reputation as a driving force in shaping the future of medicine.

View the complete list of former Distinguished Alumni and Outstanding Recent Graduate Award recipients.

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