Faculty & Staff News
NSU University School was recently featured on NBC 6’s Brag About Your School segment, which highlighted the many ways that USchool brings out the best in its students. Please click the link to watch the video of the segment. For more information about NSU University School, visit www.uschool.nova.edu.
Heidi Gomez
Heidi Gomez, graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, was recognized for her Peer Inclusion Program at Chamberlain High School (Tampa) at the Excellence in Action Awards ceremony.
The Peer Inclusion Program at Chamberlain High School was implemented at the start of the 2018-2019 school year with 30 peers. The peers are 10th – 12th grade students who are assigned to Heidi for one period, and earn credit and community hours. After an interview, they are assigned a specific classroom, and work in a variety of settings supporting students with disabilities. The peers engage in each lesson, and work with students in the areas of independent functioning skills, social emotional needs, and academics. The program has also changed the school culture. Peers and their students have become friends and feel included in ways they hadn’t before the program was implemented. They sit together at lunch, attend extracurricular events, and act as mentors.
Heidi has been recognized for numerous awards in her 12 years of teaching. She’s been named Teacher of the Year at Adams Middle School, Council for Exception Children (CEC) ESE Teacher of the year for Hillsborough County, the ESE Preceptor of the Year for her work with exceptional students, and the Ida S. Baker Distinguished Educator at Chamberlain High School.
She earned both her Bachelors and Master’s degree at the Abraham S. Fischler college of Education and School of Criminal Justice.
The Mathew Forbes Romer Foundation (MFRF) offers scholarships to nursing students interested in the care of pediatric patients. MFRF also provides speakers who offer their experience with nurses caregiving for children with life threatening genetic disease. These speakers inform nursing students of their opportunity to select home care once they become a nurse and their impact on the patients, and family’s needs. Jo Ann Kleier, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Research and Compliance, of the Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing (ACON) was honored by the MFRF for her dedication and assistance in ensuring our students have these continued opportunities. Each year she works diligently with their foundation to connect, plan, and execute educational presentations twice a year. Additionally, she ensures their scholarship funding is distributed among nursing students with a passion for pediatrics. Her continued commitment to the MFRF has made a difference in the ACON student experience.
On April 29, Fischler Academy students Chloe Behar, Bianca Oliveira, Vanessa Montros Castro, Tianna Harris, and Giselle Perez from NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice (FCE&SCJ), attended the 2019 Sanford Partnership Summit: A Mindshare Around Equity, Teacher Preparation, and SEL “Ensuring Excellence Through Collaboration.” The students were accompanied by FCE&SCJ Associate Dean, Jamie Manburg, Ed.D., and Luke Williams, Director of the Fischler Academy.
The students presented the Fischler Academy Authentic Module Integration, showcasing the Schooling Sharks program, which is designed for first semester Fischler Academy freshmen students. In the program, students work in small teams to develop and deliver a unique lesson. Each team is assigned to a Pk-12 in-service teacher, who serves as the mentor to the group and guides the students in the development of their lesson plan.
(left to right) Chloe Behar, Bianca Oliveira, Vanessa Montros Castro, Tianna Harris, Giselle Perez, Lucas Williams
During times of organizational change and commitment to increasing standards, NSU’s Faculty and Staff have an important role in leading innovation, collaboration, and excellence across the university. In support of fostering the culture of 1 NSU, the Office of Human Resources is offering a series of workshops for leaders, departments, and individuals, to assist in building and further developing these skills, as well as select learning events designed to provide leaders with the tools they need to give their teams an edge in their pursuit of excellence.
All sessions can be found in the new FY2020 Leadership & Professional Development Catalog HERE: http://www.nova.edu/hr/training/index.html
Northwest Hospital & Medical Center in Seattle Washington honored ACON Alumni and Emergency Department Registered Nurse Darinka Obradovich, BSN, CEN with the Daisy Award. The Daisy Award recognizes and honors “extraordinary nurses” who provide “extraordinary compassionate care”. Darinka was nominated by the wife of one of her critically ill patients, not only for her patient care excellence, but for her holistic approach to nursing the family along with the patient.
Congratulations Darinka!
College of Dental Medicine celebrates its college student of the year and American Association of Women Dentists chapter for being honored at the 21st annual Student Life Achievement Awards (STUEYs).
Held every spring, the award ceremony aims to honor those who further a sense of campus community focusing on the best in academic excellence, student centered, integrity, innovation, opportunity, scholarship/research, diversity, and community.
From Left: Linda C. Niessen, D.M.D., M.P.H., dean and professor, College of Dental Medicine with CDM 2019 student of the year, Francesca Pietri.
The award for CDM 2019 student of the year went to fourth-year dental student Francesca Pietri for her great representation in what the college stands for in its goal of creating outstanding clinicians and leaders in their communities.
Pietri’s academic excellence is no stranger to NSU as the graduating fourth year carried the same work ethic when earning her bachelor’s in biology and master’s degree in biomedical sciences from NSU. Pietri was considered a top student in her classes as she developed the strong work ethic with the goal in mind of being a dentist.
Being a leader in the classroom, Pietri took on roles by serving on executive boards, college ambassador, class representative and giving back to the community in the annual Give Kids a Smile event and dental mission trips outside the country in which she provided dental care to those in need.
“I feel privileged to have been nominated by faculty, staff and peers to receive such recognition. However, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have been selected amongst all the students at CDM to receive the award! With graduation coming up, the STUEY has added even more excitement and gratitude to my family and I during this time…. without doubt, I’ve given it my all during my time at NSU, and really appreciate the recognition! I personally want to thank all those who took the time to submit my name for consideration, and especially to the committee for selecting me— I’m honored. Thank you!”
Members of the NSU Student Chapter of the American Association of Women Dentists receiving their award for Graduate Organization of the Year given by President George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D.
The second award received by the college went to the NSU Student Chapter of the American Association of Women Dentists for graduate organization of the year. The organization made up of predoctoral, postgraduates and faculty aims to advance, connect and enrich the lives of women dentists as stated in their mission.
“I would like to say that the NSU-CDM Student Chapter of AAWD is an amazing organization lead by dentistry’s women future leaders of tomorrow, with hearts of gold, a work ethic second to none and a vision of giving that bonds female in the dental profession. I am honored to be their faculty advisor as they inspire me every day,” said Sharon Siegel DDS, MS, MBA, professor, chair department of prosthodontics and NSU AAWD faculty advisor.
The NSU chapter took part in various philanthropic efforts throughout the year with participation in the AIDS Walk, Rock Run breast and ovarian cancer run and Feeding South Florida, an event in which the chapter raised over 883 pounds of food. The organization also lent their dental knowledge by hosting tutorials for predoctoral students and collaborating with brands such as Colgate in hosting oral hygiene events. Aside from an active community involvement NSU AAWD takes time for mentorship and fellowship opportunities to empower and support women in dentistry these efforts were led by Nicole Elia, NSU AAWD president and class of 2020 member.
“I have been a part of AAWD since my first year at Nova CDM. What inspired me to get involved in AAWD was how well rounded the organization was. Being a member of AAWD means taking part in community service activities, fundraisers, academic learning and teaching opportunities, and even much needed social events to take a breather from the busy curriculum of dental school. Being a member means building relationships with other women in the dental field and supporting one another in our endeavors. I’m proud to be a part of AAWD and all of the goals we have accomplished each year. The STUEY award was an incredible achievement and it was an honor to be recognized along with the other wonderful nominees. When people ask me about our organization, I tell them that we may be small (in number) but we are mighty! AAWD will continue to make great strides in the years to come,” said Elia.
Come dive with us during the summer of 2019!
BEGINNER
Open Water Diver
This is the entry-level beginning scuba diver course.
PADI Open Water Diver certification is issued upon successful completion of this course.
CONTINUE YOUR DIVING
Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty
The PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Diver Course provides recreational divers with the knowledge to safely plan and conduct EANx (nitrox) dives up to 40%. Scuba diving with enriched air nitrox gives divers more no decompression dive time.
DAN Diving First Aid for Professional Divers
June 29 and June 30, 2019
DAN’s Diving First Aid for Professional Divers (DFA Pro) course is comprised of information from the Emergency Oxygen for Scuba Diving Injuries, Neurological Assessment, First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries and CPR HCP courses. It meets U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for workplace CPR and first aid.
Multiple faculty and students from the College of Psychology were recognized on May 7th at a joint awards ceremony for the 17th Annual Quality of Life Faculty Community-Based Applied Research Grant and the 20th Annual President’s Faculty Research and Development Grant.
In the first category, the NSU Quality of Life Council recognizes projects that relate to the quality of life in Broward County in these areas: foster care, elderly services, criminal justice, autism, adults, children, and families. The president’s grants are an internal granting initiative that provides seed funding for faculty research activities.
In total, 13 faculty members received funding from two grant types. Topics included subjects like an evaluation of a veterans resource center, or assessing brain injuries in NFL players and fighters. Projects were conducted in partnership with outside organizations such as the Broward Sheriff’s Office, as well as with other NSU colleges.
Full list of faculty and projects: https://psychology.nova.edu/news-events/2019/cop-grants2019.html
Congratulations to Ashley Wilson, NSU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) Class of 2019, who is the recipient of the 2019 APTA Minority Scholarship. This is an annual award offered to minority physical therapist students by the physical therapy fund. The Minority Scholarship Award recognizes physical therapy students currently in their final year of an accredited program, and faculty members who are pursuing post professional doctoral degrees for their professional character and academic excellence. The Minority Scholarship Fund and voluntary contributions sponsor these awards.