|  |
|
 Pumerantz Lifetime Fellow of Excellence in Osteopathic Medical EducationPumerantz Lifetime Fellow of ExcellenceinOsteopathic Medical Education
Dr. Cundari began his professional career as a physician assistant after serving in the United States Air Force. His tenure at WesternU began in 1988 as an Adjunct Assistant Professor. He joined the faculty full-time in 1990, and has mentored more than 1150 osteopathic and physician assistant students. He has been nominated by the Students multiple times as “Teacher of the Year” and “Mentor of the Year” for his commitment to their evidence-based education and concern for their future. His credibility as a role model is enhanced by his insistence on maintaining a nursing home and hospital practice–with night and weekend calls – which cements Dr. Cundari s reputation as a complete family physician.
Dr. Cundari became Chair of Family Medicine in 1999, moving Family Medicine from participating in the curriculum to leading curricular efforts, which significantly contributed to a major curricular update in 2005, and has moved COMP s National Board standings to the top quartile in the Nation
Dr. Cundari has created an abundance of “after hours” opportunities for osteopathic medical students to experience physician relationships through volunteer service. As a high school team physician, he has provided sports physicals, and medical service to the football team for 15 years. He is responsible for the continuation of the Pomona Homeless Outreach Project (PHOP), Pomona Community Health Action Team (PCHAT) programs, and dedicates time to WesternU-sponsored weekend community health fairs, supervising the osteopathic, physician assistant, and pharmacy students. These numerous and altruistic activities have resulted in his being named the COMP Facilitator of the Year and the Most Valuable Physician of the Year by the Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California. In 2004, Dr. Cundari was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. His former assistant sent the following in an email:
“Dr. Cundari was a joy to work with. He is by nature a quiet and thoughtful person–a bit of an enigma–but don't let him fool you. He has an acute sense of humor and a huge heart. He dislikes having any spotlight on him, but next week he will have no choice but to accept this award in front of a large group of people, many of them peers.”
Dr. Cundari is the true embodiment of the “humanism” that defines both Western University of Health Sciences and the osteopathic profession.
By the power vested in the Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, I declare Dr. Alan Cundari the third recipient of the Pumerantz Lifetime Fellow of Excellence in Osteopathic Medical Education.
Dr. Rafi Younoszai, osteopathic educator, pioneer, and academic leader, took an embryonic program of anatomy and a college of osteopathic medicine from conception to adulthood. Dr. Younoszai joined the young faculty of the college of osteopathic medicine of the pacific soon after Dr. Pumerantz founded the college thirty one years ago. Today he serves as the Western University of Health Sciences marshal, carrying the academic mace as a most honored and revered professor. His renaissance approach to life and education began in Afghanistan, the son of an afghan ambassador to India, he received a scholarship to study at Berkley in the 1950 s. He received his PhD from the University of Minnesota in anatomy, having published some of the early work on insulin secretion mechanisms.
Hearing the call for anatomy professors at a young school in the west, Dr. Younoszai accepted the challenge and immediately won the respect of the early graduates for his focused attention to detail and professionalism. He brought new academic standards in anatomy laboratory exercises and specimen preparation. He established the basis for the current anatomical museum.
Always focused on student achievement, he developed multiple new and innovative programs including the intensive summer anatomy course, the summer anatomy preparatory course, and a new graduate program in biomedical research. Dr Younoszai always feared that the faculty spent far too much time focused on the top 10% of the student body and not those who struggle, therefore his holistic dream and personal mission, was to make everyone a successful matriculate and an outstanding osteopathic physician.
His belief in osteopathic approach to medicine and medical education was enhanced by observing his two sons becoming osteopathic physicians. An internist and psychiatrist, their journey provided Dr. Younoszai the passion to force the faculty to reevaluate their satisfaction with the status quo. He was a leader in the movement to completely revise an aging curriculum and refocuses the institution on the education of a humanistic, life-long learner with the distinctive osteopathic philosophy. This effort reduces total classroom hours while increasing time for standardized patients, small group discussions and community service requirements.
Dr. Younoszai sensed and encourages the rapidly changing cultural diversity of the college. He saw that students were highly motivated to deepen their cultural sensitivity and sense service which gave birth to the international medicine cross-cultural club, an out-growth of the international consortium was the Pomona homeless outreach program (phop) and the Pomona community health action team (pchat) which are community service organizations located in Pomona. To secure the future of these programs he has established an endowment of over $20,000.00 which generates annual scholarships for students who excel as international club leaders
Of the many founding professors, Dr. Younoszai has stood the test of time. The thirty year legacy is but a springboard to lead both the college and the university into a new era of interprofessional education. He is clearly an agent of change. Therefore, it is my privilege to award Dr. Rafi Younoszai the first ever: Pumerantz Lifetime Fellow of Excellence in Osteopathic Medical Education
ABOUT THE AWARD... Purpose The purpose of the Pumerantz Lifetime Fellow of Excellence in Osteopathic Medical Education is to recognize outstanding individuals who have consistently promoted the kind of holistic and humanistic education that embodies the essence of osteopathic healthcare. In addition, this fellowship will serve to: 1. Shape a positive perspective towards Osteopathic Medical Education 2. Provide role modeling and mentoring 3. Provide recognition for having made a significant impact on healthcare education, and subsequently, healthcare delivery Criteria for Membership 1. Sustained at least 15 years exemplary educational contributions to osteopathic medical education (as determined by the review of supporting documents) with preferably at least 5 years at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific.
2. Demonstrated impact within the following 6 educational categories:
Selection · Selection will be determined through sub-committee nomination based on prior award winners. · Individual recipients will be selected annually and will be honored within a public forum as determined by the Dean. |
   © 2009 Western University of Health Sciences. All Rights Reserved | 309 E. Second St. Pomona, CA 91766-1854 | (909) 623-6116 Copyright Policy | Privacy Policy | Web Accessibility | Maintenance Schedule | Site Map | Web site Feedback  | |
A unique, unassuming leader, Dr. Alan Cundari has served as an educator and family physician role-model for 20 years at his alma mater, WesternU. His tireless dedication to the osteopathic profession has been demonstrated through his work with patients, communities, students, and fellow professionals. He provides a striking example of how osteopathic clinical education can maintain its distinctiveness and added value for the future of physician-led healthcare teams.
