A partnership with Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) provides unique opportunities for future Physician Assistants like Emmanuel Gonzalez to learn from Broadway House physicians and residents. Witnessing the skills and dedication of Medical Director Rodolfo Munera, MD, has strengthened Emmanuel’s resolve to specialize in the treatment of infectious diseases.
Born in Venezuela, Emmanuel worked as a Medical Scribe before entering FDU’s Physician Assistant program, which requires students to complete 10 five-week clinical rotations in the field. He has opted to complete two rotations at Broadway House under the direction of Dr. Munera. “I wanted to learn more about the field of infectious disease,” says Emmanuel, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Saint Peter’s University. “I appreciate how Dr. Munera thinks, how he treats his patients, and how he comes up with his diagnoses. Shadowing Dr. Munera has helped me to develop my own thought process.”
For more than a decade, Dr. Munera has been a resource for students through partnerships between Broadway House and area institutions to train future Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Doctors, and Infectious Disease Fellows. While some partnerships have been long established, the relationship with FDU’s Physician Assistant program is less than two years old.
“The focus of Physician Assistants is on the total medical process, from diagnosis to treatment,” Dr. Munera explains. “Here at Broadway House, students gain the benefit of seeing those with more experience relate to infectious diseases in action. It is important for them to see how to discuss medical conditions with our residents. This social interaction is crucial for patients to open up about their illness, so bedside manner is very important.”
The rapport Dr. Munera develops with Broadway House residents inspires Emmanuel: “Dr. Munera takes time with his patients to dig into their history. The residents at Broadway House have a great support team, not only on the medical side, but also with social services. They have a great trust with the staff. Broadway House residents are resilient—it is clear that with the right support, they can change and improve their lives.”
For his part, Dr. Munera says working with students like Emmanuel makes him a better physician: “Students make me a better teacher because I always need to be on top of my game. Their thirst for knowledge is very humbling, so I need to make sure I am learning every day.”
