Author: iharrell

Dental Medicine Holds White Coat Ceremony for Class of ’25

NSU College of Dental Medicine White Coat Ceremony for Class of 2025 was held on Sunday August 20, 2023. The White Coat Ceremony holds several meanings, all of which contribute to its significance in the lives of dental students. Here are some of the key meanings associated with the White Coat Ceremony:

  • Symbol of Professionalism: The white coat is a powerful symbol of professionalism and a visible representation of the responsibilities that come with being a Dental Professional. It signifies the transition from a student to a future healthcare provider.
  • Commitment to Ethical Practice: The ceremony emphasizes the importance of ethical behavior in dental practice. Students pledge to uphold ethical standards, demonstrating their dedication to providing patient-centered care with integrity and compassion.
  • Transition to Clinical Care: The ceremony marks the transition from theoretical learning to practical application. It symbolizes the beginning of hands-on clinical experiences where students will directly interact with patients and contribute to their oral health.
  • Patient-Centered Care: Dental care is about more than technical skills; it’s about treating patients with respect and empathy. The ceremony underscores the importance of patient-centered care and reminds students of the human element in dentistry.
  • Connection to Tradition: The white coat ceremony is rooted in tradition and serves as a link between past and future generations of dental professionals. It connects students to a lineage of dedicated healthcare providers.
  • Personal Identity: Donning the white coat can be an emotional moment for students, reinforcing their identity as future dentists. It boosts confidence and reminds them of the journey they’re embarking on.
  • Family and Community Support: The presence of family, faculty, and peers underscores the support network that surrounds students. It’s a celebration of their achievements and the shared commitment to their success.
  • Inspiration and Role Models: Guest speakers and faculty members often share insights and stories that inspire students to excel in their studies and practice. These role models contribute to shaping students’ professional attitudes.
  • Responsibility and Accountability: The white coat symbolizes the responsibilities that dental professionals have towards their patients, colleagues, and the profession as a whole. It’s a reminder of the trust placed in them by society.
  • Mindset Shift: The ceremony encourages a shift in mindset from being a student to becoming a lifelong learner and practitioner. It sets the tone for a lifelong commitment to education and professional growth.
  • Sense of Achievement: The white coat ceremony represents a significant milestone in students’ educational journeys. It’s a moment of pride and accomplishment as they take a step closer to realizing their career aspirations.
  • Unity and Community: The ceremony fosters a sense of community among students, faculty, and practicing professionals. It’s a shared experience that binds individuals who are passionate about oral health and patient well-being.

 

In essence, the White Coat ceremony is a multifaceted event that encapsulates the ideals, values, and aspirations of Dental Professionals. It’s a moment of reflection, inspiration, and commitment that shapes students’ understanding of their future roles and responsibilities.

Posted 08/27/23

Dental Medicine Students Attend Board of Dentistry Meeting

NSU College of Dental Medicine D4 students attended the Florida Board of Dentistry Meeting as part of their Practice Management Course.

Attending a Florida Board of Dentistry meeting provided dental students with valuable insights into the regulatory and disciplinary aspects of the dental profession. These meetings typically involve discussions and decisions related to licensing, regulations, and disciplinary actions for dental professionals in the state.

Here’s how dental students were benefited from attending the meeting:

  • Understanding Regulatory Procedures: Dental students learned about the formal procedures and protocols involved in the regulation of the dental profession. This included how complaints are investigated, hearings are conducted, and decisions are made regarding disciplinary actions.
  • Awareness of Ethical Standards: Witnessing disciplinary actions helped dental students gain a better understanding of the ethical standards and professional behavior expected of them as future dentists. They learned about the consequences of violations and the importance of maintaining a high level of professionalism.
  • Real-world Case Studies: Observing real cases of disciplinary actions provided students with practical examples of situations that can lead to professional misconduct. This can be more impactful than simply studying theoretical scenarios in textbooks.
  • Preventing Mistakes: By learning about the mistakes and violations that led to disciplinary actions, dental students became more aware of potential pitfalls and the steps needed to avoid similar errors in their own practice.
  • Networking and Exposure: Attending these meetings provided students with the opportunity to interact with practicing dentists, board members, and other professionals in the field. Networking can help students gain insights into the industry and potentially open doors for future career opportunities.
  • Insight into the Legal System:Students learned about how regulatory bodies collaborate with the legal system during disciplinary proceedings. This understanding could be valuable in case they ever encounter legal issues in their own practice.
  • Professional Development:Witnessing the gravity of disciplinary actions can emphasize the importance of lifelong learning and professional development. Students learned about the importance of staying motivated to continue their education and stay up to date with best practices and regulations.
  • Personal Growth: Attending board meetings could foster a sense of responsibility and accountability among dental students. It can encourage them to be proactive in maintaining their professional integrity and taking their role as healthcare providers seriously.

Posted 08/27/23

Education Alum Named Superintendent of Sarasota County Public Schools

Terrence Conner

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice graduate Terrence Conner has recently been named the superintendent of Sarasota County Public Schools.

Conner, who graduated from NSU with his M.S., in 2016 has been in the role since July 17 and while the position has been a whirlwind, it has been great at the same time.

“When I got the job, there was a kind of a sigh of relief, but then it was like, ‘Okay, now you got the job. Now the real work begins.’”

As superintendent, Conner’s job entails managing the daily operations of the school districts. He said he has spent a lot of time listening to staff, parents, and community members.

“I’ve been onboarding myself and taking a lot of time to listen and learn and to evaluate current processes and look at the data, analyze that and determine how we’re going to move forward,” Conner said.

Conner said his goal while in the position is to make Sarasota County Schools the No. 1 school district in the state and to receive national recognition.

“That [involves] first and foremost, meeting the needs of all students in the school district, who are coming from different backgrounds, to ensure that when they step foot in our schools, that we’re capable, able and willing to meet every student’s individual needs so that they can be successful,” he said.

Conner said his degree from NSU has proved to be useful in his career.

“It was really great to learn from people who had done the work and been in the trenches and know, because there’s a difference between theory and reality. Having instructors who were able to make those bridges connect was really helpful,” he said.

Fins up to you Terrence and best wishes for this school year!

Posted 08/27/23

Nova Singers Hold ‘Saturday Sing’ August 26 in Oakland Park

Did you sing in a chorus or a church choir in high school? Or maybe you played in the band. Would you like to share the joy of making music with others? Nova Singers is a community chorus of about 100 people affiliated with Nova Southeastern University. Its members are adults from all over South Florida, including NSU students, who like to sing.

If this sounds like fun, join Nova Singers at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 26, 2023, for the “Saturday Sing” in Oakland Park and “test-drive” what it is like to be in the chorus. The group will be singing some of the music that will be performed at the December holiday concerts. If you like the experience, you can audition afterward. You don’t have to sing a prepared piece or even a solo to audition. The costs of dues are waived for NSU students.

The chorus rehearses from September through May at Christ Lutheran Church, 1955 E. Oakland Park Boulevard, Oakland Park, FL 33306. The Saturday Sing will also be at the church. Rehearsals are from 7 to 9:45 p.m. every Tuesday night. The chorus sings three sets of concerts a year, in December, March and May.

If you’re like to attend the “Saturday Sing” or are interested in the joining Nova singers, email novasingers@nova.edu to sign up to attend or ask questions.

Posted 08/15/23

Honors Student Presents Research at International Dental Conference

Janaki Chandra

Farquhar Honors College student Janaki Chandra presented her dental research at the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) conference in Portland, Oregon. Completed as part of her honors thesis, Chandra’s research investigates whether S-PRG filler, a biomaterial commonly used in dental care, affects osteoclast generation, a type of cell responsible for bone resorption.

While presenting her research, Chandra was fortunate enough to meet executives from the company that makes the S-PRG filler at the center of her research.

“I felt so much joy seeing how enthusiastic [the executives] were. [They] were so kind and mentioned many thanks and were so proud of the research being conducted!” said Chandra, a senior biology major.

She was inspired to pursue this research because of her passion for dentistry and its constant evolution and growth. She aspires to become a dentist one day.

“I [am] so beyond grateful for Dean Nevins and the Honors College for allowing me to present [my] research at the AADOCR conference,” said Chandra, who was the only undergraduate student presenting in her section of the conference. “It was such an enriching experience meeting a variety of scholarly researchers, and to be able to present collaborative research after almost two years [was] the most rewarding part.”

Posted 08/20/23

Honors College Gives High Schoolers College Experience

Students, faculty, and staff in the Knowledge for Freedom program

This summer, the Farquhar Honors College kicked off its Knowledge for Freedom program, a free college-readiness program for high school students in Broward County, FL. During the program, called “One Person Can Change the World,” 15 high school juniors attended college-level humanities seminars with NSU professors and lived in campus dorms for a full college-life experience.

The program, funded by the Teagle Foundation, allowed students to become college students for three weeks over the summer as they navigated the college experience. Students also got to meet distinguished guest speakers, visit educational sites in South Florida, and participate in recreational activities.

“Meeting the students and learning over time how varied their goals and interests are has been [my] favorite part of this program so far,” said assistant program director and lead faculty instructor of the program Aileen Miyuki Farrar, Ph.D., associate professor and associate chair in the Department of Humanities and Politics (DHP) at the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences (HCAS). “Seeing them connect with each other and the group as a whole lift each other up has been an even more rewarding experience.”

During class, Farrar led discussions on humanities texts about equality and change in America alongside guest lecturers G. Nelson Bass III, J.D., Ph.D., assistant professor and associate chair in HCAS, and Vicki Toscano, J.D., Ph.D., associate professor in HCAS.

These seminars prompted students to develop Change Projects—practical plans to create change in their communities that they’ll carry out during their senior year. Their projects focus on issues ranging from voting rights and mental health awareness to homelessness and environmental protection.

“One of my favorite things about this program is that I’ve been able to actually collaborate with other students from all around Broward County [and] see what their Change Projects are and the different views they have,” said Kevin Romero, a student from McFatter Technical High School. “I’ve also been able to have the privilege to be taught by three excellent professors, and I’m so happy to have had this experience.”

Aileen Miyuki Farrar, Ph.D., leads class discussions.

Students will continue to meet with faculty throughout their senior year to receive help with their Change Projects and college applications. The program will culminate with a showcase at the end of their senior year where they’ll present their Change Projects and outcomes and meet the next cohort of students.

“I feel much better prepared for the second round of the program, and [I’m] relieved that everything went well,” said program director Andrea Nevins, Ph.D., M.F.A., dean of the Farquhar Honors College. “I am also very thankful that the Teagle Foundation believed in us and gave us the opportunity to host this program.”

Nevins, Farrar, and the program’s assistant director Melissa Dore, Ph.D., director of academic support and administration in HCAS, worked together to bring the program to life. Various departments across NSU and the teaching and resident assistants also contributed to the success of the program, which will repeat for the next two years.

Learn more about what the Change Scholars have been up to this summer.

Posted 08/13/23

Education Alum Publishes Article on Symbolic Violence

Nahum Jean-Louis, Ed.D.

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice graduate Nahum Jean-Louis, Ed.D., is celebrating the publishing of his article “Symbolic Violence in The Classroom: How A Eurocentric Curriculum Excludes & Marginalizes Minority Students” in the journal Belonging.

The article was co-written by Mary Clisbee, Ed.D., and focuses on symbolic violence and how it excludes and marginalizes minority students.

Jean-Louis explained that symbolic violence is any violence that isn’t tangible, for example, verbal assault, racism, using disparaging terms and more.

The article came about after Jean-Louis and Clisbee gave a talk at a conference about diversity. After the presentation, the pair was contacted and asked to write an article detailing their research.

In their article, Jean-Louis and Clisbee discussed how Eurocentrism gives priority to European philosophy and history at the detriment of minority students.

“Minority students have their own cultures, experiences and history, and those are put on the back burner in favor of European culture,” Jean-Louis said. “Minority students are forced to learn from a culture or from a knowledge in which they don’t relate to. And as a result of that, because they can’t relate to it and because their experiences are sidelined or marginalized, they suffer in terms of performance.”

They then went on to explain ways to combat symbolic violence and Eurocentrism.

“One way that I suggested, in my research, to mitigate the effects of symbolic violence and the effects of Eurocentrism is to create a diverse curriculum and to have equity in the curriculum,” Jean-Louis said.

The pair hope that a variety of people can learn and benefit from the research.

“Our message was directed to school administrators, policymakers, and the community at large,” Jean-Louis said.

Jean-Louis graduated from NSU with his doctorate in Curriculum and Teaching. He is currently working on several other projects, including a collaborative book on decolonization in education and a book that focuses on the problems minority students face in the United States school system.

Read the complete article.

Posted 08/13/23

Faculty Presents at International Conference in Iceland

Hinckley presenting at the University of Iceland.

Jackie Hinckley, Ph.D.

Jackie Hinckley, Ph.D., a professor in the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences of the Department of Speech/Language Pathology, was one of the platform presenters at the Nordic Aphasia Conference June 14 – 16, 2023, held at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik, Iceland. The conference was attended by over 200 experts from Europe, Australia, and North America.

While in Iceland, Hinckley also participated in a meeting of the Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists. Her presentation was titled, “Characteristics of Good Responders to Activity-Focused or Impairment-Focused Treatment.”

Posted 08/13/23

Faculty, Students Present Research at Public Health Conference

From left, Shannon Parma, MS; Samhita Doranala; Christi M. Navarro, Ph.D.

Faculty and students from the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences recently presented their latest research at the 2023 Florida Public Health Association Annual Educational Conference, July 25 – 26, at The Florida Hotel and Conference Center in Orlando.

Sonia Rao receives the 2023 Florida Public Health Association Undergraduate Scholarship.

Christi M. Navarro, Ph.D.; Samhita Doranala (Department of Public Health); and Shannon Parma, MS (Department of Couple and Family Therapy), gave poster presentations on the social determinants of mental health literacy. Their research presented preliminary findings from a larger mental health literacy study funded by a QOL grant.

Sonia Rao (Department of Biological Sciences) gave a poster presentation on the relationships between suicide and attempts and state-level education policies, preliminary findings from her honors research thesis through Farquhar Honors College. Sonia was also awarded the 2023 Florida Public Health Association Undergraduate Scholarship.

Stacey Pinnock, DHSc., MSW (Department of Public Health), presented outcomes from her program to improve mental health literacy to Spanish-, Creole-, and Portuguese-speaking parents of children attending Broward County schools. Her project was funded by a Florida Blue grant.

From left, Kristi Messer, DHSc, LCSW, MPH; Shannon Parma, M.S.; Christi M. Navarro, Ph.D.; Sonia Rao; Stacey Pinnock, DHSc., MSW

Posted 08/13/23

Community Resolution Services in Halmos Hosts ‘We Love our Families’

Jaime Valcarce

Community Resolution Services (CRS) in the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies (DCRS) in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (HCAS), hosted ‘We Love Our Families,” on Saturday, July 15, 2023, in the Alvin Sherman Library. This annual event features topics and activities related to peaceful families. This year’s event focused on families sharing meals together and how it enhances family relationships. Easy and fun recipes were shared and as an activity, participants were able to build their own fruit parfaits from ingredients provided, such as blueberries and raspberries.   For those unable to attend in person, Zoom was available.

Leneiya Boose

The main presenters from CRS were Jaime Valcarce, M.S., doctoral student in DCRS. He has a Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s degree and works in the clinical field; and Leneiya Boose, M.S., a recent graduate of the master’s program in Conflict Analysis and Resolution in DCRS and an advisor at Kennesaw State University.

Community Resolution Services is an internship, practicum, and volunteer site in DCRS. CRS provides workshops, training, and related community events. For information about CRS, please contact Judith McKay, J.D., Ph.D., faculty and doctoral director in DCRS at mckayj@nova.edu

Posted 08/13/23

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