Master of Science - Physician Assistant Program

Rebeca Santiago - Admissions Coordinator

Ms. Santiago joined the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) and Rutgers University (RU) Physician Assistant Program in August 1998. Ms. Santiago coordinates the admissions process by reviewing applications, counseling prospective applicants, arranging interviews and participating in the interview process, attending recruitment events, assisting accepted students with housing information, generating reports using Access and Banner in order to compile statistics, and attending the UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions (SHRP) graduation every May. She also maintains the PA Program website.

Before joining the PA Program, she worked in the Pharmacology Department at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) for 8 years; 4 years as Administrative Coordinator II and 4 years as Graduate Secretary. In her four years as Administrative Coordinator, she worked directly with the Chairman of the department, Dr. Leroy F. Liu. Her responsibilities included coordinating the admissions process, preparing recruitment material, arranging interviews for the Graduate Program in Pharmacology. Ms. Santiago also prepared grant applications for faculty members and was part of the preparation of two training grants. She also assisted with Medical Pharmacology in distributing handouts to the medical students of the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) and grading their exams. Ms. Santiago was also responsible for the administrative duties, such as preparing documentation for Human Resources, the Registrar's office (i.e., visa applications), and Payroll. She also maintained the website for the department.

Prior to working at UMDNJ-RWJMS, Ms. Santiago worked for the Psychiatric Diagnostic Laboratories of America in South Plainfield, NJ for 5 years. She started out as a Secretary and worked her way up to be a Computer Operator. Her responsibilities included a wide variety of data processing activities supporting finance, marketing, sales, administration, management information, research and clinical applications. She interfaced extensively with users, management, clients and vendors. She coordinated research projects, analyzed data and worked with various agencies to finalize scientific presentations. She coordinated regulatory affairs to ensure that licensure was complete with various licensure organizations, and maintained extensive client contact.

Ms. Santiago attended the Mizpa Bible Institute for 3 years and graduated with a certificate in Biblical Studies in 1988. She also attended Rutgers University-University College as a part-time student for 3 years and Zarephath Bible Institute for 2 years. She is currently attending Kean University to obtain her Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Communications with a Minor in Management Science.