Category: Health Care

Business Professor Visits South Mediterranean University

Professor Selima Ben Mrad at the Tunis Business School with Tunisian ambassador Joey Hood, the school’s Dean and faculty as well as members from the embassy and faculty from Mediterranean School of Business.

Nova Southeastern University Professor Selima Ben Mrad, Ph.D. – a Fulbright Specialist at the Mediterranean School of Business at South Mediterranean University – spent April 26 through May 13 in Tunisia.

Professor Selima Ben Mrad with Tunisian Ambassador Joey Hood

Ben Mrad, with the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship, was invited by the American Embassy in Tunisia to attend a presentation with Joey Hood, the ambassador to Tunisia at the Tunis Business School at the University of Tunis in Tunisia. The Tunis Business School is a public institution that teaches American business.

“I had the opportunity to attend a presentation about the business school’s curriculum and accreditation, which was both informative and enlightening,” she said.

During her stay, Ben Mrad was able to work closely with Dr. Leila Triki, the dean of the Mediterranean School of Business, as well as the administration and department chairs.

“One of the highlights of my time there was conducting workshops at the school of business with the dedicated faculty members,” she said.

The workshops focused on various aspects of the assurance of learning process, including the development of rubrics, streamlining the process, and collaborative efforts in evaluating assessments to identify areas for improvement.

Posted 06/04/23

NSU Alums Honored at First Black School Psych Summit

From left, NSU College of Psychology student Kethaki Karunathilake; Aline Milfort, Psy.D.; Tiara Bland, Ed.D.; and NSU College of Psychology student Asia Flagg.

On April 27 and 28, 2023, NSU alums Tiara Bland, Ed.D., and Aline Milfort, Psy.D. organized the inaugural Black School Psych Summit in Atlanta, Georgia. Per the organizers, the summit’s aim was “to support, elevate, and advance the work of Black school psychologists”.

From left, NSU Alumnae Aline Milfort, Psy.D. and Tiara Bland, Ed.D., both NSU Distinguished Alumni recipients.

Both Bland and Milfort founded the Black School Psychologists Network (BSPN) and created the summit to have a safe space where practitioners could feel a sense of belonging and support while accessing resources that would help them in their profession. Milfort completed her doctorate degree in School Psychology in 2022 while Bland completed her specialist in School Psychology in 2017.

The summit welcomed more than 475 registered attendees and included a legends panel, featured sessions, breakout sessions, live podcasts, and interviews from a wide range of Black school psychologists. There was also an exhibit hall, poster sessions, panel discussions, and an awards ceremony celebrating Black excellence.

As part of the award ceremony, Bland and Milfort received NSU’s Distinguished Alumni Award for their pivotal efforts with BSPN and the summit.

NSU College of Psychology’s doctoral program in School Psychology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. Its School Psychology Specialist degree is Florida Department of Education approved and holds the designation of National Recognition by the National Association of School Psychologists.

Posted 05/21/23

USchool Student Athletes Sign College Commitments

Congratulations to our USchool student- athletes who signed their commitments to play collegiate sports. We wish you the best of luck as you continue to pursue your academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level! #GoSharks

  • Tyler Nightingale: Cairn University (Baseball)
  • Nelson Rosa: Bard College (Baseball)
  • Ethan Schlam: Haverford College (Lacrosse)
  • Roger Baptiste: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Soccer)
  • Jack Crawford: United States Merchant Marine Academy (Rowing)
  • Siera Leete: University of San Diego (Rowing)
  • Nikolas Ricardo: Rollins College (Soccer)

U make US proud, Sharks.

Posted 05/21/23

Regional Teams Serve the Underserved in Puerto Rico

Under the leadership of Vanessa Blanco, director of NSU’s Puerto Rico Campus, along with an amazing team of faculty and students from NSU College of Dental Medicine Davie and Clearwater, and NSU Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy from the Tampa Bay Regional Campus, underserved communities in Puerto Rico received much needed health care service.

May 1-6, 2023, NSU’s team shared its energy, talent, and compassion with the municipalities of Utuado, Cabo Rojo, and Yauco and the communities of Ponce Playa, Ponce Tibes, Ponce Tives, Ponce La Lula, and Ponce Jaime Drew. This year was special as we provided care to 368 patients and received recognition from the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico and the mayor of Cabo Rojo.

Our first collaboration occurred in 2018 during the inauguration of the COSSAO Clinic. COVID kept us away for a few years, but this year we were represented by a total of 32 faculty students, and the NSU Puerto Rico Campus Director. Also, we had tremendous collaboration from 60 organizations including the Puerto Rico Department of Health, six community leaders and 29 resident volunteers. This October we will expand this Puerto Rico outreach by including other disciplines from the Health Professions Division.

This amazing trip can be summed up by the words of Dr. Mark Schweizer, Assistant Dean of Community Programs and Public Health at the College of Dental Medicine: “As educators and health professionals our goal and the goal of NSU is to provide experiences and memories that will not only change the lives of the patients, but the lives of our future health professionals.”

The entire team thanks Vanessa Blanco for not only her incredible organizational skills, but her heart.

Like they say “FINS UP!”

Posted 05/21/23

Halmos Faculty Co-Authors Article with Nursing Faculty, Students

Santanu De, Ph.D.

Santanu De, Ph.D., faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences and Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (HCAS), co-authored an article with colleagues from the College of Nursing, based on an interdisciplinary collaboration with faculty and students from the College of Nursing. The article entitled, “Immersive Learning and Participatory Engagement Connecting in the Online Classroom through Virtual Reality.” It was published in the International Journal of Distance Technologies (IJDET).

The project involved designing a structured Virtual Classroom and showing its effectiveness in contributing significantly to learning and engagement among undergraduate and graduate students of healthcare sciences, especially during unprecedented challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cavanaugh, G., Condry, H. M., Afable, C. F., Morris, M., De, S., Madison, H. E., Marshall, J., Victor, C. P., & Weiner, M. (2023). Immersive Learning and Participatory Engagement: Connecting in the Online Classroom Through Virtual Reality. International Journal of Distance Education Technologies (IJDET), 21(1), 1-19. http://doi.org/10.4018/IJDET.317364

Posted 05/21/23

Education Alum Named Finalist for Georgia Teacher of Year

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice alum Brittany Nearhoof has been named as a finalist for Georgia Teacher of the Year.

Nearhoof, who graduated from NSU in 2011 with a Master’s Degree in Integrated Technology and Teaching and Learning, currently works as an art teacher at McAllister Elementary School in Bryan County, Georgia.

Brittany Nearhoof

Having served as a teacher for 14 years, she said to be recognized at the state level left her feeling both honored and humbled.

“When I met all of my fellow finalists … when I saw everybody in person, my goodness, they’re incredible teachers. And I am sincerely humbled and honored to be among the group.”

Earlier in her career, Nearhoof had been named Teacher of the Year before within a previous school she worked at.

“I thought, ‘Wow, that was just an incredible honor.’ Like, how nice to get this award. And then this time around, when I got it for my school, I thought, ‘Wow, my peers see something in me,’” she said. “When I found out I received it for the state, that has been a surreal experience.”

Nearhoof said part of what made the experience so honoring is that many of her peers and colleagues also in the arts aren’t used to their subject being recognized. She recalled how a veteran art teacher close to retirement told her how proud she is to see visual arts in the spotlight.

Nearhoof said her ultimate goal is to continue being a great educator and learn as much as she can.

“I plan to just continue in the classroom and to continue to grow in my craft,” she said. “And advocate for the arts in schools.”

The official teacher of the year will be named at a gala on June 10.

Good luck Brittany! We are rooting for you!

Posted 05/21/23

Graduate Student Awarded ‘Changing Lives Scholarship’

Ashley Turner, 2023 winner of the “Make the Most of the Dash” and Ashley Hess legacy scholarship.

Many people knew and loved Ashley Kaye Hess, a cheerleader, dancer, teacher, and NSU speech-language pathology master’s candidate, before she was killed in a tragic car accident on May 14, 2016, at the age of 28.

On May 14, 2023, Ashley Turner, B.A., shall be awarded the 2023 “Make the Most of the Dash and Ashley Kaye Hess Changing Lives Scholarship.”

Ashley Turner is currently a graduate student at Nova Southeastern University pursuing her master’s degree in speech-language pathology. She is the current NSU SLP NSSLHA chapter president.

She received her bachelor’s degree from University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Fla., in Pre-K Primary Education (Age 3- Grade 3). She worked for Broward County Public Schools for 10 years ending in June 2022 so she can complete her SLP clinical rotations.

Ashley has a special interest in working in augmentative and alternative communication especially with children with autism and adults with ALS.

Posted 05/07/23

Partnership Creates Opportunity for Hearing/Vision Screenings

For the first time, the physician assistant students are joined by the anesthesiologist assistant students in partnering with St. Johns County School District to assist with Hearing and Vision Screenings for elementary school students.

Since 2010, Hugh Rappa, M.D., associate program director and professor, and the Jacksonville Regional Campus Physician Assistant (PA) program, has been a partnership with the St. Johns County School District to assistant the school district with hearing and vision screening exams for elementary school students.

Liberty Pines Academy combined total, 739 students screened. The PA class of 2024, back row, left to right, Philip Chanfrau, Daly Hong, Kasandra Hager, Stephanie Grose, Ashleigh Maya, Danielle Tomoser, Madison MacDougall, Natalie Najmy, Lauren Omdahl. Front Row, left to right, Anthony Abate, Javier Gonzalez, Michelle Lenahan, Natalie Lipman, Radha Patel, Bethany Jones, Heather Homrighouse, Payal Patel.

Rappa first met Mrs. Leslie Shugart, the districts representative in 2009, and who currently works in student services for St. John County School District and discussed the possibility of bringing his PA students to assist with screenings. In 2010, Rappa was accompanied by 8 PA students and assisted in screenings at Ponte Vedra Palm Valley-Rawlings Elementary School. Since 2011, Rappa with the commitment of Charlene Bolton, Ed.D., PA program director, has been involving all first year PA students in this community service.

In Fall 2022, Rappa asked, anesthesiologist assistant (AA) program director, Gregg Mastropolo, M.M.Sc., if he would like his students to participate in these screenings. They both agreed, and for the first time, the Jacksonville Regional Campus AA students and the PA students joined together in screening close to 5,000 elementary students at 9 different county schools.

In addition to hearing and vision screenings, height and weight and scoliosis screenings were also performed. Actual screenings depend on the academic grade of the students. Dates have already been scheduled for both programs to participate in Fall 2023.

 

Posted 05/07/23

Business Alum Writes Book on Organizational Leadership

Michael G. Frino, who received his MBA from the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship in 2005, recently co-wrote a book about organizational leadership.

In “The Beekeeper”—co-written with Katie P. Desiderio – a team of renowned management and leadership professionals deliver an insightful and engaging exploration of what it means to place oneself at the core of learning and growth for the members of your organization.

The story is told through the eyes of Catherine, the founder and owner of a rapidly growing business. You’ll follow her as she transforms the way she leads and inspires others, revolutionizing the culture at her company by learning from the people around her. The authors lead you through practical strategies and techniques you can implement immediately to achieve extraordinary results in your life and in your business. You’ll learn about:

  • Taking a central and active role in the growth and maturation of your employees and leadership team members
  • The author’s “Art of Learning to Be Proximal,” a strategy for placing yourself at the core of your company’s growth
  • Methods for ensuring your team is putting people first and living your company’s mission and values

In addition to writing, Michael has more than 20 years of professional experience working for Fortune 500 companies in sales, leadership, and organizational development across the payroll/human resources, pharmaceutical, and med-tech industries.

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