Category: Featured

NSU’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine Receives Provisional Accreditation

NSU is proud to announce that The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) has granted provisional accreditation to the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine (NSUMD). The LCME is the nationally recognized accrediting authority for medical education programs leading to the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree in the United States and Canada, and this accreditation provides assurance that programs awarding the M.D. degree meet the national standards for educational quality.

“We are excited about the news on our progress, and I want to acknowledge the hard work that Dean Vieweg, his faculty and staff have undertaken to achieve such a major step toward full accreditation in such a short period in the middle of a pandemic,” said NSU President Dr. George Hanbury. “Work will now begin to prepare for the final step in the accreditation process.”

All medical schools must complete three steps to become fully accredited by the LCME, and NSUMD has achieved the first two of these steps.

“Achieving provisional accreditation is a critically important milestone in our development and growth,” said Dr. Johannes Vieweg, founding dean of NSUMD. “Our early successes are a testament to the strength, talent, and dedication of our faculty, staff, students, clinical and community partners who, together, have been instrumental in laying the foundation of our new medical school.”

In 2015, the NSU Board of Trustees authorized the creation of the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine. The college received preliminary accreditation in October 2017 and admitted its inaugural class of 50 students in August 2018. The college will welcome its fourth class of 50 students in August 2021 and has received nearly 7,100 applications thus far for the college’s “Class of 2025”.

The college enjoys a strong clinical affiliation with the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) East Florida Division. Seven leading HCA hospitals in South Florida are currently serving as clerkship sites and provide hands-on clinical experiences for the college’s medical students. During clinical training, students have the opportunity to work side-by-side with physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, applying knowledge learned from the first two years of study to real-life situations. Medical students are also exposed to advanced medical cases in cardiology, surgery, infectious diseases, pulmonary diseases, renal disorders and a host of other clinically-relevant scenarios using computer controlled high-fidelity mannequins in medical simulation centers.

Work will now begin to prepare for the final step in the accreditation process. The LCME is expected to conduct another site visit during the 2022/23 academic year, and a decision on full accreditation is expected in 2023.

A Message from the President: Merit Pay Increases

The past year has proven to be the most arduous that I can recall in my career. COVID-19 turned our collective lives upside down in a matter of days, and it has forced us to evolve how we work and live on a daily basis for the past 11 months.

Even with these most difficult circumstances, it is with great pride and appreciation that I share with you the university’s success in meeting its enrollment targets for this winter semester. Overall, the university exceeded last year’s winter semester enrollment by almost two percent and undergraduate enrollment increased by almost 11 percent. Additionally, I just completed Fiscal Year 2022 budget meetings with our deans and vice presidents, and in April I will be presenting our Board of Trustees with a budget that will support our continued efforts to increase student enrollment and retention, advance our academic and research programs, and ensure the economy and efficiency of our administrative support services.

These accomplishments are even more remarkable considering that the current pandemic required us all to change the way we teach, engage with our students, provide support services, and manage our resources. In the spirit of One NSU, we worked together to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing environment and continue our progress toward preeminence.

While we continue to face financial stress related to the costs of maintaining safe classrooms, student housing, and workplaces, we have proven that we can “blend and flex” our resources, personnel, and expenses as needed.  Based upon my confidence in your commitment to excellence, I have authorized a merit increase pool for eligible faculty and staff. Merit increases will be retroactive to the start of the first payroll period in January for faculty and staff with a date of hire on or before January 1, 2020 and will appear in the March 26, 2021 payroll distribution. The Office of Human Resources will be advising your Dean or Vice President of the merit award process and eligibility criteria.

I am sincerely grateful for the contributions that each of you make toward achieving our goals, living our core values, and ensuring NSU’s continued success.

Fins Up and Go Sharks!

NSU Psychology Student Opens Shark Cage Business at Mako Hall

Angelina Santoro, NSU Writing and Communication Center (WCC) undergraduate consultant and third year Psychology Major, with minors in Business, Entrepreneurship, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), and Honors Transdisciplinary Studies, celebrated the grand opening of “Cheeselicious” at the Razor’s Edge Shark Cage in Mako Hall on Sept. 11, 2020. Santoro is in the Razor’s Edge Shark Cage Scholars Program. In fulfillment of the program, “Cheeselicious” came about from Santoro’s love of mac and cheese and inspiration from a family friend.

Operating on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Shark Cage at Mako Hall, “Cheeselicious” brings in a family-famous four-cheese baked mac and cheese to South Florida, and features a create-your-own mac and cheese bar, providing customers with a variety of toppings at an affordable price. Santoro stated, “My hope is to trademark my business name and continue its legacy for generations of NSU students, faculty, staff, and local Floridians to continue to enjoy!”

When asked how working at the WCC and being in the Shark Cage program has shaped her NSU experience, Santoro answered, “No other programs have provided me with the same level of support and encouragement to fulfill my dreams and make them into a reality as these two.”

Santoro attributes the Shark Cage program and WCC communities to her success and involvement at NSU. She explained, “I enhanced my ability to establish profound interpersonal relationships with those of both communities to the point that I was able to engage in opportunities I would have never received at another university, or from NSU itself as an unengaged student. In essence, working with the Shark Cage program and the WCC advanced my critical thinking, time-management, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. Both allowed me to become a refined young woman, motivated by a passion for success while receptive to the needs of others.”

For more information about “Cheeselicious,” be sure to check out the website, Yelp page, and follow them on Instagram (@cheeselicioussss).  The business also offers individual platters and large party catering options! For more information, contact Santora (as3919@mynsu.nova.edu) or program director, Cheryl Babcock (babcockc@nova.edu).

 

A Message from Dr. Hanbury on Plans for In-Person Commencement Events this Spring

My fellow Sharks, although Florida has been experiencing a surge in positive COVID-19 cases, the distribution of successful vaccines and our efforts to control the spread of this deadly virus gives me hope that there is “light at the end of the long pandemic tunnel” we have been traveling. I know how disappointed our graduates were last May when we had to have “virtual commencements” since there was no “light shining” then; consequently, it is my hope that by May of 2021, South Florida’s positivity rate will be under five percent. I say this because I anticipate that we will continue to strictly exercise safe protocols recommended by the CDC to control the spread of the virus, and, simultaneously, see a substantial increase in the vaccination rate, particularly in South Florida. As such, we are planning to hold commencement ceremonies with masks, physical distancing, and completely outside with sanitized seating and facilities—as long as the positivity rate in Florida is below five percent.

To enable us to maintain appropriate physical distancing for our graduates, our platform guests, and, of course, your families and friends, we are making arrangements to hold our series of graduation ceremonies where the Miami Dolphins play—at the Hard Rock Stadium—this May.

With the local positivity rate under five percent, NSU expects to award degrees in person to more than 8,500 bachelors, master’s, specialist, doctoral, and professional degree candidates, as well as to our graduating seniors from the NSU University School. It is a proud and distinguished moment for these graduates and their families and I genuinely want to see it happen; however, I also want to protect your health and safety. The ceremonies are being scheduled at the football stadium across four dates in May: May 16, 17, 18, and 19, 2021

We are planning for two ceremonies each day with time in between for the facility and platform to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized for the next group of graduates and guests. Our graduates and platform group will be seated at safe physical distance in chairs placed on the playing field and all of your guests will be accommodated in the spacious stands of this state-of-the-art facility.

I will make the final decision about graduations on April 15, 2021. If the positivity rate is under five percent in Florida, we will hold the ceremonies. If it is higher, with the greater concerns for public health, we will still have commencements; however, they will be virtual.

More details will be coming to you soon, but I wanted to let you know about the schedule and venue as soon as possible so you can begin to make your plans. The schedule of each college’s ceremony is below, and you can find additional details at nova.edu/commencement.

· Thursday, April 15: Final decision regarding positivity rate. Letter from me will be forthcoming.

· Sunday, May 16: College of Law (morning); NSU University School (afternoon)

· Monday, May 17: All Undergraduate Programs (morning); College of Business (afternoon)

· Tuesday, May 18: Dental Medicine, Psychology, Allopathic Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine (morning); Nursing, Optometry, Pharmacy (afternoon)

· Wednesday, May 19: Halmos College, Computing and Engineering, Fischler College (morning); Health Care Sciences (afternoon)

I am aware that this is not the usual schedule of graduations for NSU, but in these extraordinary times, and in order to give you the in-person experience you so desire, we must take advantage of the availability of the Hard Rock Stadium as our venue, since it is one of a very few that can accommodate the size of our gatherings in a safe and appropriate manner. Certainly, we will enjoy some of the amenities of this wonderful facility, including availability of concessions, plenty of free parking, and much more. We’re even planning to provide free NSU ponchos to the graduates and platform group seated on the field, just in case. Additional details about your graduation day will be forthcoming as we finalize our negotiations with the stadium.

Again, I didn’t want to delay any longer communicating this important graduation consideration on the part of NSU to provide in-person commencement events in May 2021. I am very excited and gratified in the hope that I will be able to truly see all of you on your graduation day this spring. We may be wearing our face coverings and maintaining our six-foot perimeter, but we will be sharing this well-earned and very proud milestone together with all of our Shark family.

Fins up and see all of you graduates this May!

A Message from Dr. Hanbury on Health Benefits

NSU’s open enrollment for medical, life, dental and other insured benefit plans will be held February 1 through February 12 for coverage effective April 1, 2021. NSU offers comprehensive medical and other insured benefit plans as part of a robust and competitive employee benefit program.  During open enrollment, you will have the opportunity to renew enrollments, add coverages and make other needed changes to your benefit elections.

This year’s premium increases for medical insurance are a very modest 2.2% for the Preferred PPO and High Deductible PPO plans (in which the vast majority of NSU’s employees are enrolled) and 10% for the Premier PPO plan. This compares favorably to Florida Blue Cross/Blue Shield’s statewide average increase of 10%.  The new monthly premium amounts by plan and coverage tier can be found at www.nova.edu/hr/benefits, and you will receive a detailed communication from the Office of Human Resources (OHR) describing your election options for all insured benefit plans. Of particular note are the following benefit plan enhancements and additions:

  • The 2021 Preferred PPO and Premier PPO are rated as gold level plans by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and the High Deductible PPO plan is rated as silver level.
  • Delta Dental replaces Humana as NSU’s dental insurer. The Delta Dental plan covers 178 more procedures (including child and adult orthodontia, implants, teeth whitening, etc.) and includes a larger network of dentists and dental surgeons than the Humana plan at a comparable premium cost.
  • The High Deductible PPO plan includes lower co-pays (reduced to an amount equivalent to the Preferred PPO plan) on emergency room and urgent care visits; specialist office visits; and physical, occupational and speech therapy visits.
  • Rally wellness program incentives increase from $270 to $330 per year.
  • Nationwide Pet Insurance is added as an optional benefit plan.

Importantly, all our medical insurance plans cover at 100% (with no employee co-pay or deductible) COVID-19-related expenses for provider-ordered COVID-19 testing, doctor visits, hospitalization and vaccine injections.

I encourage all of you to review the open enrollment information from OHR and make those elections that best suit the needs of you and your family. OHR will be scheduling Zoom meetings beginning the week prior and throughout open enrollment to answer questions and to assist you in your benefit elections.  Online counseling through Explain My Benefits will also be available to employees on demand.  Also, please stay connected throughout the year by participating in OHR’s wellness programming.  This year, 2,170 NSU employees attended 33 wellness covering topics such as managing stress, chronic pain, heart health, breast cancer and bariatric surgery.  Wishing you all a safe and healthy 2021.

Wishing You Love, Peace and Joy

During this special time of year, we want to make sure you know how much we appreciate you. 2020 has been challenging for everyone, and we are grateful for your hard work, commitment, and dedication. NSU was able to remain open all year long thanks to your support and willingness to evolve with the times. Together, we helped demonstrate that our university is focused on delivering a safe, student-centered education.

We hope this holiday season is full of health and happiness. There are many exciting things to look forward to in 2021, so be sure to take some time to rest and recharge.

Stay safe, Sharks!

The NSU Holiday Zoom Collection Has Arrived!

Tis the Season! Over the past six months, NSU’s Division of Public Relations, Marketing, and Creative Services has been creating Zoom backgrounds for you to share your Shark Pride. Today, we are happy to unveil our new holiday collection for use in your virtual offices and classrooms. This collection is festive and full of sparkle and joy!

How to Download and Use Our Newest Collection

  1. Visit edu/brand/templates.htmland click to download your favorite Holiday Zoom backgrounds.
  2. On the “Home” screen of your Zoom app, click the Settings cog in the upper right corner.
  3. Click on “Virtual Background” in the left menu.
  4. Click on the “+” and “Add Image” in the upper right corner (below your video preview).
  5. You can now use the image as a background in your next Zoom meeting!

NOTE: Your image will appear backwards or flipped to you, but Zoom mirrors it so that everyone else will see it correctly (there is an option to “flip it” in Settings).

We’re here to keep you as connected as possible to NSU during these ever-changing times. If you have any questions or ideas on other ways to share our Shark Pride, shoot us an email at communications@nova.edu.

Wishing you all a happy holiday season and bright New Year!

 

Happy Thanksgiving from NSU

This year’s holidays will look and feel a little different for all of us. While you may not be able to gather with all of your loved ones, we hope you find a special way to celebrate and be thankful. Take time to reflect upon and appreciate the people that have helped get you through these challenging times. Express your gratitude for the opportunities that have enriched your lives this year. We all have so much to be thankful for, and we are so thankful for you all. Your positive energy, hard work, and dedication to NSU is what helps make our NSU Shark family even stronger. Happy Thanksgiving!

Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine Receives $4-Million CDC Grant for ‘Covid Long Haulers’ Study

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, health care providers are finding that more patients are experiencing lingering symptoms after recovering from the virus. These symptoms include being bone-tired and utterly drained of energy, but in most cases, they continue to negatively impact the patient’s overall well-being and ability to return to normal activities.

While the medical community is working hard to address the virus itself and racing toward a vaccine, there is very little known or being done to address the residual health issues being experienced by those now called “COVID long haulers.”

All of that is about to change, however, thanks to research scientists like Nancy Klimas, M.D., director of the Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine and chair of the Department of Clinical Immunology. “Because of our long-standing research in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, we’ve been selected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to begin researching these symptoms in COVID-19 patients,” Klimas explained. “Because the symptoms are so similar—joint and muscle pain, severe fatigue, and memory and cognitive issues—to chronic fatigue syndrome, NSU is uniquely positioned to study this emerging development in the pandemic.”

Because of her expertise and the work she is involved with at the KPCOM, the CDC has awarded Klimas and her research team a federal contract of more than $4 million to study these residual symptoms in COVID-19 patients. NSU is the only institution to receive this federal contract.

Klimas and her team will work with the Florida Department of Health to identify potential participants. They will then contact individuals to explain the study and inquire about their interest to participate in the study.

 

 

NSU Homecoming 2020: November 2–8

Homecoming is almost here! NSU Homecoming is the time to celebrate tradition and instill pride in all members of the Nova Southeastern University family through active engagement of students, alumni, faculty and staff across the community. The week of celebration will begin on Monday, November 2, 2020 and will end on Saturday, November 8, 2020.

You don’t want to miss out on all the awesome activities taking place this week.  Razor at the Bleed Shark Blue Pep Rally and DJ Battle!  Fins Up!

Monday, November 2, 2020

Wake up Sharks, It’s Homecoming: Breakfast Kickoff

7:30 a.m.

Don Taft University Center, Hall of Fame

Novelty Explosion

Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Don Taft University Center, Spine

Homecoming Pep Rally

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Rick Case Arena at the Don Taft University Center

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Stroll to the Polls

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Mako Residence Hall Circle

Election Night Party

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Flight Deck Backyard

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

NSU for Veterans – Letters to our Troops

Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Don Taft University Center, Flight Deck Backyard

Sharks Open Mic Night

6:00 p.m.

Flight Deck Backyard

Thursday, November 5, 2020

Homecoming Parade

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Don Taft University Center, Shark Fountain

 Paint N’ Sip

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Mako Residence Hall Courtyard

Miss Phi Beta Sigma Pageant

7:14 p.m.

Virtual Watch Party Flight Deck

Friday, November 6, 2020

Shark Pride Friday: Wear NSU Gear

ALL DAY

Shark Pride Friday

Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Don Taft University Center, Spine

Homecoming Celebration

8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Alvin Sherman Library Quad

Saturday, November 7, 2020

Drive In Movie Night: Shark Tale

Gate opens: 7 p.m. and Movie Starts: 8 p.m.

Temporary Residential Lot

Sunday, November 8, 2020

Homecoming Brunch

10:00 a.m.

Razor’s Reef

Virtual Teaching Kitchen

11:00 a.m.

Virtual on Instagram: @Sharkdining

Be sure to check out all the events. Follow the Office of Campus Life and Student Engagement on Instagram (@nsucampuslife) to stay updated, and use #sharkshomecoming on social media to be featured on the NSU Journey Wall. If you have any questions, please visit www.nova.edu/homecoming or contact the Office of Campus Life and Student Engagement  at campuslife@nova.edu

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