Author: iharrell

Alumnus Finds Passion Through Public Health Leadership

Hill

NSU graduate Robert Hill

With more than 200,000 alumni across 50 states and in 119 countries, NSU graduates are making an impact worldwide. Master of Public Health alumnus Robert Hill is making his mark in South Florida.

“Through my personal experiences, I knew that the field of public health makes a difference to people’s lives,” said Hill, vice president of community impact for the American Heart Association. “I had struggled with obesity and my father passed away from a heart attack, so I find it so rewarding that I get to work every day to try to make people’s lives healthier.”

Hill’s career at the American Heart Association and previously the YMCA of South Florida has focused on health and wellness. He credits NSU for providing the skills and expertise he uses to connect with the people in his community.

“My relationship with NSU is important to my professional success in public health and how effective I am at communicating with people in a way that will inspire better health through knowledge,” he said.

Hill considers it a “gift to work with families and young children struggling with health issues and give them options or create environmental changes so that they can be more empowered to make healthier choices.”

From advocating statewide change to emergency response operations to working with at-risk youth, Hill brings his message into a world where he hopes to make a difference. And that includes his alma mater, where he is often invited to speak with students and share his personal and educational journey.

The experiences that inspired Hill are unique, and he knows everyone has their own story. With his refined ability to connect with people, he works every day to improve lives in his community. That’s what attracted him to NSU.

“Passion and community are really the most important things to me,” he said. “At NSU, I found the support, the leadership, and incredible faculty that gave me the opportunity to succeed far beyond the classroom.”

NSU’s Impact Receives Several National Accolades

WSJ Best Colleges

Whether it’s leadership in research, expertise in health care, support of Florida’s economy, or distinctive student experiences, NSU has grown to be a dominant force in higher education – and others have taken notice.

The Wall Street Journal recently named NSU to its list of America’s Best Colleges 2025. This is the first time the newspaper recognized NSU as one of the nation’s top universities. It also ranked NSU fifth in Florida in salary impact (third among privates) and second in Florida in diversity (No. 1 among privates).

Other points of Shark pride:

  • NSU is Florida’s largest, private research university and on the road to achieving preeminent credentials given to those at the forefront of research and innovation.
  • Forbes ranked NSU #23 in its list of top employers in Florida.
  • NSU is the only university in Florida with a College of Optometry.
  • U.S. News and World Report has ranked several NSU health care programs as tops in their specialty areas.
  • The Carnegie Foundation selected NSU as one of 59 universities nationwide recognized for both High Research Activity and Community Engagement.
  • The National Security Agency has included NSU among the few institutions in the country designated as both a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Cyber Defense and Cyber Research
  • NSU is one of only four U.S. universities offering allopathic medicine and osteopathic medicine colleges.
  • U.S. Department of Education criteria position NSU as the largest, private, not-for-profit Hispanic-serving institution in the country.

NSU Salutes Veterans, Honors Contributions of Milton and Barbara Jones

NSU’s service to those who serve runs deep.

NSU cadets

NSU cadets at the university’s Veterans Day Celebration

  • The university held its annual Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 10 on its Davie Campus, featuring Air Force Col. John W. Erickson Jr., retired Sgt. Major John L. Estrada of the Marine Corps, and NSU President George L. Hanbury.
  • NSU honored longtime supporters Milton and Barbara Jones on Oct. 22, dedicating its Military Affairs Office in their names. Milton Jones, a U.S. Army veteran who served from 1963 to 1966, has dedicated his life through philanthropy in support of military efforts. This includes the couple’s nearly $1 million endowment toward the Milton L. and Barbara H. Jones Scholarship at NSU, which will support students with financial needs, especially those who have shown a commitment to the African-American community and NSU’s Army ROTC program.
  • In addition to welcoming more than 1,000 veterans and military-connected students across our various degree programs and campus locations, NSU employs nearly 500 veterans among our 5,000 employees.
  • This fall, NSU introduced Medic to Medicine, an innovative program connecting medics and other medical professionals with opportunities to leverage their work experiences into NSU’s medical and health care programs. There have been 53 applicants to the program and six colleges are participating (Pharmacy, Optometry, Health Care Sciences, Osteopathic Medicine, Allopathic Medicine, and Nursing).
  • NSU offers a variety of veterans services for students, faculty, staff, as well as the broader community. These include scholarships, career assistance, childcare, and wellbeing programs.
  • Our NSU Health Veterans Health Care clinics see more than 1,000 veterans and their legal dependents and spouses annually, and at no cost to many of them for eye, dental, hearing, and mental health care.
  • NSU has been designated a Military Friendly institution.

Learn more about NSU’s veteran resources.

Professor Presents Research at 2 International Conferences

Adithya Chandregowda, Ph.D.,

Adithya Chandregowda, Ph.D., fields questions after his presentation.

Adithya Chandregowda, Ph.D., associate professor from the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at NSU’s Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences, presented a research poster at the British Aphasiology Society (BAS) International Conference, 2024, held in England in September. His presentation was titled “Addressing agitation in individuals with acute onset Wernicke’s aphasia.”

His presentation synopsis: Individuals with Wernicke’s aphasia, which is often caused by a stroke, have severe difficulty understanding others’ speech and monitoring their own speech. This results in substantial communication breakdowns with others (e.g., family, healthcare professionals) which in turn could trigger agitation in these patients.

Agitation in new onset Wernicke’s aphasia could be misdiagnosed and mismanaged as a psychiatric condition in acute hospitals. Chandregowda’s research has generated suggestions for health care professionals to prevent or minimize agitation in this context. Even though he presented his research poster virtually, it was well received, with a conference attendee expressing that the poster was logical, useful, and aesthetically appealing.

Chandregowda also gave an oral presentation at the 34th Alzheimer Europe Conference, Geneva, Switzerland in October. ​His presentation was titled “End-of-life interaction between individuals with dementia and their loved ones: Incorporation of nonverbal communication and nondeclarative memories.”  His presentation synopsis: There is a lack of literature on how to interact with individuals in advanced stages of Alzheimer type dementia when their declarative (explicit) memory and verbal communication could be severely impaired. With specific clinical suggestions, Chandregowda advocated for considering nonverbal communication and nondeclarative (implicit) memories to facilitate interaction in this context. His presentation generated substantial interest, with questions from multiple attendees during the post presentation Q & A and beyond.

“Attending events like this have immensely helped me with my professional growth and given me opportunities to represent my department (speech-language pathology), the college, and university internationally. I am also thankful that I can bring in these experiences to my classroom teaching to provide global perspectives to my students.”

Performance Team Celebrates Stanley Cup Victory

Pictured: Tobin Silver, Ph.D.; NSU students Liam Loging, Bella Vargas-Blanchard, Alexis Arena, and Joseph Petruzzelli; NSU alumni Peter Byers; and Florida Panthers staffers Tim Wittenauer and Mike Joyce

Pictured: Tobin Silver, Ph.D.; NSU students Liam Loging, Bella Vargas-Blanchard, Alexis Arena, and Joseph Petruzzelli; NSU alumni Peter Byers; and Florida Panthers staffers Tim Wittenauer and Mike Joyce

The Department of Health and Human Performance at Nova Southeastern University’s Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences had the honor of assisting the Florida Panthers Hockey Club with their preseason evaluations during the Stanley Cup-winning season.

Led by professors Tobin Silver, Ph.D., and Corey Peacock, Ph.D., the team—comprising undergraduate students of Exercise and Sport Science and graduate students of Sports Science—conducted detailed power, strength, fitness, body composition, and movement assessments. This invaluable experience gave students and alumni the opportunity to work in a high-performance setting alongside professional athletes. As a token of appreciation for their contributions, Tim Wittenauer, Director of Sports Performance & Rehabilitation, and Mike Joyce, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, invited the department team to spend time with the Stanley Cup, offering a momentous opportunity to celebrate the season’s success.

Peter Byers, M.S., an NSU alumni, reflected on the experience.

“This opportunity was truly invaluable,” Byers said. “Being able to perform hands-on assessments with professional athletes gave me insights and experience that I couldn’t have gained anywhere else. It was a defining moment in my development as a sports scientist.”

“Spending time with the Stanley Cup is a memory these students will carry with them for a long time,” said Tobin Silver, Ph.D. “This experience is not only about celebrating a victory but also about recognizing the hard work and dedication they put into working with elite athletes at the highest level.”

Gift Supports Travel Study at Honors College

Ken DiSaia and Jeff Greenip from the Enrollment Advisory Group

Ken DiSaia and Jeff Greenip from the Enrollment Advisory Group

Back in 2021, the Nova Southeastern University (NSU) community faced a profound loss with the passing of Dr. Anthony J. DeNapoli, dean of undergraduate admissions and international affairs. His 30 years of dedicated service left a lasting impact, inspiring all who knew him.

At the time, to honor of his legacy, Ken DiSaia and Jeff Greenip, co-founders of Enrollment Advisory Group (EAG), pledged $50,000 over the next five years to the Anthony J. DeNapoli International Student Travel Scholarship fund. The scholarship provides vital funding for international experiences such as study abroad, faculty-led trips, and internships, reflecting DeNapoli’s vision for all NSU students to gain global insights. EAG was retained by NSU in 2018 to recruit international students and worked very closely with DeNapoli to further grow NSU’s international population.

Today, EAG announced their intention to continue to support the Anthony J. DeNapoli International Student Travel Scholarship with another $50,000 pledge. Additionally, EAG has announced their intention to also make another pledge of $50,000 to the Honors College Passport Program.

The Honors College Passport Program is an initiative to provide students with equitable access to travel study opportunities. Many students dream of traveling abroad but lack the funds to turn this dream into reality. With the help of EAG, we can cover the costs of travel study trips to give students who have never been able to travel abroad the opportunity to do so.

Both funds drive EAG’s commitment to empower and support students to engage in international curricular experiences. They invite you to support both amazing programs. Together, we can make a difference. Your generous gift today can help keep Dr. Anthony J. DeNapoli’s mission alive and open new horizons for NSU students. Thank you for your support!

Health and Wellness Coaching Gets Nationally Certified

wellness

The Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Health and Wellness Coaching program is now approved and certified by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC).

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for the HWC Certifying Examination to become national board-certified health and wellness coaches. The NBHWC certification establishes a high standard for coaching designed to train and equip graduates in the health and wellness field to effectively support clients.

Becoming a national board-certified health and wellness coach allows certified coaches to work nationally, thereby providing them with extensive employment opportunities, including but not limited to private practice (onsite and virtual). This is an excellent opportunity for existing students.

Pre-health majors may also wish to consider a minor in health and wellness coaching as this is an important strategy for optimizing patient outcomes. Please contact Dr. Shazia Akhtarullah at shaziaa@nova.edu.

NSU Art Museum Now Home to ‘Surrounded Islands’ Project

Surrounding Islands

The “Surrounding Islands”

NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale will premiere in February 2025 its first exhibition of “Surrounded Islands” from the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation, which includes more than 43 preparatory drawings and collages created by Christo.

The exhibit also includes photographs and photo murals, engineering surveys, environmental studies, permits, correspondence, original components such as sections of the pink fabric, scale models and other archival documents that trace the history of the project.

Following the deaths of the artist duo, Christo V. Javacheff in 2020 and Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon, in 2009, NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale was chosen as guardian of the archive for the landmark installation, “Surrounded Islands: Biscayne Bay, Greater Miami, Florida, 1980-83.”

The exhibition elevates the museum to a new level of worldwide significance.

NSU Receives Funding for Early Detection of Breast, Other Cancers

Check presentation

From left, President George L. Hanbury, Pharmacy Dean Michelle Clark, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and President-Elect Harry Moon

The university has received $963,000 from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to help detect genetic differences among women that may make some more vulnerable to cancers and other diseases.

“I am thrilled to announce these federal dollars headed to Nova Southeastern University for the purchase of cutting-edge instruments that will be used for the early detection of cancers and other diseases,” said breast cancer survivor U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who presented the check to NSU.

Disparities in health outcomes based on ancestry are well-established and, for most of today’s major diseases, show people of African ancestry suffer worse outcomes. African American women have a 41 percent higher breast cancer death rate than white women, even though their incidence of breast cancer is four percent lower. Other cancers and major diseases show the same trend.

“These funds will support critical research to help us recognize and understand genetic differences and enable doctors to intervene sooner with treatments,” said Dr. Harry K. Moon, president-elect, executive vice president, and chief operating officer of NSU.

Dr. Michelle Clark, dean of NSU’s Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy, noted NSU is well-positioned for this research, as South Florida is a community with a rich blend of people representing multiple cultures, countries, and socioeconomic groups.

“Through genetic and other analysis, NSU scientists will explore how differences among people at the cellular level may contribute to their likelihood to develop cancer and other diseases,” she said. “Understanding our differences will lead to better diagnoses as well as better treatment options and outcomes.”

College of Business and Entrepreneurship Honors New Hall of Famers

The H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship held its 35th annual Entrepreneur and Business Hall of Fame on Oct. 27 at the Rick Case Arena, celebrating the entrepreneurial prowess of three additional “movers and shakers” in the South Florida regional business community.

This year’s honorees reflect South Florida’s incredible business vitality, driven by wealth migration, a strong job market, profitable businesses, and promising startups. Through this event and numerous academic and research efforts, the Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship provides its students with meaningful exposure to business leaders, mentors, and alumni that can help them grow into effective leaders.

The Hall of Fame has historically celebrated the achievements and contributions of influential business leaders. Among its past recipients have been Rita Case, Guy Harvey, Terry Stiles, and H. Wayne Huizenga.

This year’s inductees:

Thomas M. McDonald moved from Ohio to Florida in 1979 and began his career at Craven Thompson & Associates, Inc. as its chief financial officer. In 1986, McDonald became president of the firm, which engages in a various land development projects including commercial, industrial, and residential projects, as well as public infrastructure projects. McDonald and his wife, Vickie, founded the McDonald Family Foundation, which supports charities associated with children’s issues and disadvantaged people in our community. The McDonalds established “The McDonald Family Endowed Scholarship Fund” in 2013 at NSU.

John E. Miller moved to South Florida from New York in 1973 and attended the University of Florida from 1980 to 1983, focusing on broadcast journalism, advertising, and business administration. In 2005, John founded Hutton Miller, LLC, a brand-building marketing firm that would achieve more than $4 billion in worldwide product sales, consistently awarded for its creativity, and hit campaigns for a diversity of clients. Miller supports charities such as the Boca West Foundation, Bound for College, Place of Hope, and the Boys and Girls Clubs.

Daniella Ortiz first came to the U.S. in 1999 from Argentina to pursue her MBA at NSU. She and her husband, Alfredo, started Daniella Ortiz, a high-end handbag and jewelry line, in 2005. Since opening their flagship boutique on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, Daniella has partnered with more than 100 nonprofits around the country and helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, American Cancer Association, JAFCO, several hospitals, and shelters for abused women and children.

1 2 3 4 5 6 … 126