Category: Health Care

Nova Southeastern University recently announced it has been recognized as one of the 2019 Best Online Bachelor’s in Health Science programs in the nation by BestColleges, a leading provider of independent college rankings, college planning resources, and higher education research. The annual ranking highlights accredited, not-for-profit institutions who have developed quality online undergraduate-level health science programs that focus on student outcomes.

The BestColleges ranking methodology focuses on academics and learner support, affordability, and online programming with schools evaluated on several noteworthy data points aggregated from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics. Additionally, BestColleges compiled institutional and program-level question responses from a proprietary survey circulated to schools offering online bachelor’s programs. From these responses, six additional ranking factors were incorporated into this year’s ranking methodology. These updated ranking factors are meant to further emphasize schools who strongly support their students while also offering a strong return on investment.

“After researching hundreds of health science programs, BestColleges identified 25 schools who rank among the Best Online Bachelor’s in Health Science programs in the nation. These programs reflect the best academic opportunities for students wishing to further their career goals,” says Stephanie Snider, Director of BestColleges. “We’re thrilled to have Nova Southeastern University be a part of this list, and we commend them for establishing this exceptional online program that focuses on academic success while remaining affordable and flexible.”

From left, Watfa Krayssa, MMS, PA-C, coach, and PA class of 2020 students, Alexandrea Rekas, Bonnie Chappell, Jessa Richards, Hannah Patterson, Amanda Lange, Nicole Sultan, and Lucia Lopez MMS,PA-C, assistant coach.

The ethics bowl competition of 2019, which was held on March 27, was a thrilling event.  Over eleven ethics bowl teams from the NSU Health Professions Division competed. Two opposing teams were challenged with provocative questions about medical scenarios with ethical dilemmas. There was a volley of articulate responses while the audience watched with great anticipation. After a simulated drum roll, the winners were announced, and the exciting match was over. The win was often by only a small margin.

After the first match, students, faculty, moderators, and judges all joined together in an auditorium, which was overflowing with people. A contest was then held between programs in the HPD to see which one could show the most support for their ethics bowl team. The coveted prize was an ice cream social. As each program was called, there was flashing of signs accompanied by exuberant cheering and clapping. Some students even donned shark costumes.  A good time was shared by all.

As the evening wore on, the teams grew tired, but continued to fight hard. Victory came to PA Fort Lauderdale, while AA Fort Lauderdale finished second, and PT Fort Lauderdale finished third.

PA Fort Lauderdale Ethics Bowl Team hard at work during competition.
From left, PA class of 2020 students, Amanda Lange, Nicole Sultan, Hannah Patterson, Alexandrea Rekas, and Jessa Richards.

The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (COARC) has recognized the First Professional Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) program as the recipient of the Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award. This award is designated to programs that have at or above 90% RRT credentialing success. Graduates must pass a minimum of two sets of board exams to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist. Success on the first board exams designates the graduate as a Certified Respiratory Therapist.  COARC views the RRT credential as a measure of a program’s success in inspiring its graduates to achieve their highest educational and professional aspirations. NSU’s Department of Cardiopulmonary Sciences will receive the Award at the American Association Respiratory Care Summer Forum in July. The Department of Cardiopulmonary Sciences is honored to receive this Award.

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.

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

Physician assistant faculty ultrasound coordinators during training with Rachel Krackov, Ph.D., MPAS, PA-C, RVS, director of PA POCUS education (far right)

Faculty and clinical support staff from all four Nova Southeastern University (NSU) physician assistant (PA) programs gathered in Orlando in early March for their annual clinical retreat. An exciting addition to this year’s gathering was a two-day point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training session for PA faculty ultrasound coordinators. The session was taught by Rachel Krackov, Ph.D., MPAS, PA-C, RVS, director of PA POCUS education, and adjunct professor at NSU’s Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences. Attendees included Robert Bobilin, MS, MPAS, PA-C (Jacksonville Campus); Jonathan Caplan, MHA, PA-C (Orlando Campus); Nancy A. Cornett, PA-C (Fort Myers Campus); Watfa Krayssa, MMS, PA-C (Fort Lauderdale); and Victor Quinones MS, PA-C, EMT-P (Orlando Campus).
This session was part of an initiative led by William Marquardt, MA, PA-C Emeritus, DFAAPA, associate dean, to integrate POCUS into the PA curriculum at all four campuses. Research has demonstrated that clinician-performed ultrasound at the bedside increases diagnostic confidence, decreases treatment delays, and increases patient safety. Physicians have been using POCUS as an adjunct to physical exam for over 15 years. Currently 62% of medical schools include POCUS in their curricula and nine medical residencies require POCUS competence for graduation. PAs work in collaboration with physicians while performing many of the same duties. If the next generation of physicians is competent in POCUS, PA students have to be as well.
The PA POCUS initiative at NSU is one of the first programs in the country to integrate POCUS into the PA curriculum. It began at the Orlando Campus in 2016 with an introductory lecture and a 16-hour hands-on workshop during the didactic year and has expanded into the clinical year in 2018, achieving nearly complete vertical integration. This year marks the beginning of Stage 2: expansion to the other three programs beginning with faculty training and curriculum development. The goal is to have POCUS integrated into all NSU PA programs, which will result in approximately 250 PA graduates each year with basic POCUS skills ready to provide the most up-to-date patient care.