Category: SharkBytes

A Once-in a Lifetime Opportunity for Two Pharm.D. Students

On the first day the COVID-19 vaccine became available, December 14, 2020,  two third-year students, Ashley Dabalsa (’22) and Laura Perez-Gutierrez (’22) had an experience of a lifetime – they were involved in reconstituting for administration the COVID-19 vaccine at Memorial Healthcare System (MHS), which was the first institution that started providing the vaccines in South Florida.

Here is what Ashley and Laura say about the experience:
Ashley Dabalsa Pharmacy Intern, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital at MHS
“Today was one of the biggest days of my life. I was the first person to reconstitute the vial and draw up the first syringes of the COVID-19 vaccine in all of South Florida. Not only was I able to represent this amazing healthcare system that I work for, but I was able to represent …[the] College of Pharmacy … at Nova Southeastern University. Being able to be a pharmacy intern for Memorial Healthcare System gave me this opportunity of a lifetime.”
“Thanks to Dorinda Segovia (’92), I was able to have this life changing moment. God only knows how grateful and thankful I am to have such an amazing mentor as her in my life. I wouldn’t be half of the pharmacy intern that I am today if it weren’t for her guidance, advice, love and care that she gives me constantly. There is truly no one out there like her, she is truly one in a million. Thanks to her, all the executives in Memorial and our CEO Aurelio Fernandez we were 1 out of 5 hospitals in the state of Florida receiving this vaccine firsthand.”
Laura Perez-Gutierrez Pharmacy Intern MHS
“This morning was one for the books! I was fortunate enough to be one of only two students from Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy who were part of the compounding for administration of the COVID-19 vaccine at Memorial Healthcare System, which was the first institution that started providing the vaccines today in South Florida.
I can’t thank you enough Dorinda Segovia for all the guidance and effort you have put into guiding me through this journey. You are a huge part of my success as a professional!”

College of Pharmacy Alumna gets Covid-19 vaccine in Miramar

NSU’s College of Pharmacy alumna Dorinda Segovia, Pharm.D., (‘–) vice president of pharmacy services at Memorial Healthcare System (MHS) receives the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, December 14, 2020 in Miramar. MHS is one of the first health care systems in South Florida to receive over 19,500 doses of COVID-10 vaccines and aims to vaccinate 120 people per hour in the coming days.

MHS is host to NSU-COP students doing their Introductory and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences. Students at the hospital system are experiencing the challenges and opportunities being brought by the pandemic and are engaged in providing assistance to hospital pharmacists such as Segovia.

Click link to read more, https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-ne-desantis-coronavirus-monday-update-20201214-nzpzb62ndjgxxdlyr73qi3fhke-story.html

Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences Department of Speech-Language Pathology Alumnus Catches The Love

On left, Melissa Ben-Haim, D.P.T., PT, and on right, Lauren Tome, M.S., CCC/SLP, at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital at the main location in Hollywood.

NSU’s Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program alumnae, Lauren Tome, M.S., CCC/SLP, was featured in Joe DiMaggio Children’s hospital “Catch the Love this Season” as they celebrate those who have hands that heal and hearts that care.

As part of an inpatient rehabilitation team in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, here are some “wow” moments centered on healing I’ve experienced as a Speech-Language Pathologist.

Lauren stated her wow moment was “Watching a mom and/or dad safely per oral feed their premature infant for the first time using compensatory strategies and identifying their infant’s cues that I was able to teach them as their Speech-Language Pathologist”.

National Student Nurses Association Host the Thanksgiving BENA Food Drive

Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing’s National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) hosted a Thanksgiving food drive with the Broward Emergency Nurses Association. There were 470 items donated from students and faculty from both the Davie and Palm Beach campuses. The contributions were donated to The Pantry of Broward, which serves seniors who live on low fixed incomes, and grandparents who raise their grandchildren. Sarah Koplow, PhD, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, who serves as the NSNA E-Board’s faculty advisor, collected the donations during the food drive in a safe manner and has been a wonderful support during these times. Fins up for the NSNA team, and a huge thank you to all who contributed to this food drive!

 

 

 

Dr Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences Department of Speech-Language Pathology Congratulates Early Career Professional Certificate Recipients

NSU’s Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program alumnae Krista Hadeed, M.S., CCC/SLP, (2015), and Samantha Novick, M.S., CCC-SLP, (2015), were awarded the 2020 Distinguished Early Career Professional (ECP) Certificate by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

This certificate was created to recognize ECPs in audiology and speech-language pathology who are making an impact in the areas of leadership, volunteering, or advocacy at the local, state, and /or national level. Both recipients are well deserving of this certificate and require a highlight of the wonderful work they have done and continue to do, https://www.asha.org/about/awards/distinguished-early-career-professional-certificate/.

 

Krista Hadeed, M.S., CCC/SLP

Krista currently owns a private practice in which she focuses on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and family-centered care. Her love for AAC began when she assisted in the inception and implementation of an AAC pilot program at a local private school during her clinical fellowship. This work eventually led her to co-presenting at the ASHA national convention about AAC.

More recently, Krista’s work has shifted to supporting the identifiable needs of AAC users and their families. As a result, she has provided free in-services to fellow SLP peers, co-founded a support group for caregivers with AAC users, and started a company that creates easy and engaging core word vocabulary activities that “fit into the busy lives of families.”

Samantha Novick, M.S., CCC-SLP

Samantha is also the owner of a private practice whose contributions and leadership skills shine inside and outside the clinic. Sam’s “passion for communication, equity and justice, and supporting leaders of the future” has led her to collaboratively starting an inclusive literacy program in 2016 with the non-profit organization, The Friendship Journey (TFJ). As she continued volunteering with TFJ, Sam transited from activity director of literacy programs to vice president of operations and then eventually president. In 2018, she mentored and helped a peaceful protest for the Parkland March for Our Lives.

This past summer, Sam served as a camp director for a virtual summer camp for teens and adults with disabilities, called Camp Wings of Friendship. Sam also plans to attend an Apraxia Boot Camp because she specializes in apraxia and “wants to serve her clients and their families better.”

 

 

Education Alumnus Appointed Rector of the Universidad de Colima, Mexico

 

Christian Jorge Torres Ortiz Zermeño, Ed.D., graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice (FCE&SCJ) was appointed Rector of the Universidad de Colima, Mexico on October 23, 2020. His term will begin on February 1, 2020 and end January 31, 2025.

Prior to his elected role, Torres Ortiz Zermeño previously served as Secretary General of the Universidad de Colima, Mexico. He also served as a full time research professor at the College of Political and Social Sciences, Director of Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, and as General Coordinator of Social Communication.

Additionally, he was Electoral Counselor of the Federal Electoral District 01 of the State of Colima, Mexico from 2009-2012, and President of the Selection Commission of the Citizen Participation Committee of the Anticorruption System of the State of Colima, Mexico from 2017-2020.

Torres Ortiz Zermeño earned his Doctor of Education with FCE&SCJ in 2018.

 

 

The E-STEAM Project for Girls

Julie Toruellas Garcia, Ph.D. is an associate professor in the Halmos College Department of Biological Sciences. Not only that, she is the director of NSU’s American Association of University for Women (AAUW) and the E-STEAM Project for Girls. The E-STEAM Project for Girls increases awareness and interests in STEAM-related careers and the pursuit of a higher education. These careers focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

On Friday, September 25, Julie Toruellas Garcia held a virtual presentation with the PACE Center for Girls in Broward County, on the E-STEAM Project in order to recruit participants. The first virtual session for the E-STEAM Project for Girls was held on October 2.  Teams were put into place to accommodate a virtual format.

One of the E-STEAM project’s goals is for future students to learn about the college experience. The day started with an icebreaker led by NSU’s AAUW student club president, Samrudhdhi Ayachit and member, Carol Manikkuttiyil. They were given an online NSU campus tour and learned about the admissions process to get into college. This project also helps individuals in choosing what kind of major or clubs they can participate in. The day ended with a goal setting workshop.

NSU AAUW members Alexandra Hartmann and Molly Scanlon, Ph.D. were part of this project. Alexandra Hartmann is the Senior Associate Director of International Admissions. Molly Scanlon, Ph.D. is an associate professor in Halmos College’s Department of Communications, Media, and the Arts.

COM Outlook Wins PRSA PRestige Award

On November 12, the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine’s COM Outlook magazine received the first-place prize in the Magazine and Periodicals category at the Public Relations Society of America Tampa Bay Chapter’s PRestige Awards virtual ceremony, which recognizes outstanding PR programs and tactics by PR pros in Florida and across the country

“Winning awards is gratifying, but they are even more meaningful when they involve a team effort,” said Scott Colton, B.A., APR, director of medical communications and public relations for the osteopathic medicine college and the Health Professions Division. “Creating each issue of COM Outlook involves the efforts of many dedicated individuals who contribute to the magazine’s enduring popularity.”

Colton, who oversees the magazine’s editorial content, also credits the talented team from NSU’s Office of Printing and Publications | Division of Business Services for playing a significant role in the magazine’s award-winning success. “The accolades COM Outlook continues to receive truly exemplify the One NSU philosophy of collaboration and collegiality.”

This marks the second first-place prize COM Outlook earned in 2020 after receiving the national award for Best Magazine in March from the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

NSU Director of Military Affairs Establishes Changing Lives Scholarship And Launches ROTC Greatest Needs Campaign During November’s National Veterans and Military Families Month

Nicholas Pascucci

The military has shaped the lives of countless individuals and allows them to join an organization that’s bigger than themselves. For U.S. veteran Nicholas Pascucci, service to his country – and community – continues to be the heart of what he does.

Pascucci, who is currently the Director of Military Affairs at NSU, retired from the Coast Guard after 23 years of service.  While in the Coast Guard, Pascucci started as a rescue swimmer and worked his way up into intelligence operations, a critical area that analyzes information and helps guide the decision-making process.

As a civilian and employee at NSU, Pascucci has made it his mission to continue supporting military-related efforts. Working alongside key leaders at the university including Terry Mularkey, Chief of Staff and Vice President of University Advancement, and Kimberly Durham, Dean of the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, Pascucci helped launch the official NSU Army ROTC program in 2019.

Pascucci explains that leading this program and serving as the Director of Military Affairs helped in personally.

“This position helped with the barriers of transitioning back to civilian life.  It gave me a strong sense of giving back and helping military families,” said Pascucci.

Alongside his position, Pascucci established the Nick and Bridgette Pascucci Changing Lives Scholarship to support ROTC students at NSU. After researching ways to give back to students who are looking to join and be enlisted in the military, he found out about NSU’s Changing Lives Scholarships program, which allows donors to choose a specific college or program to support, and also officially name the scholarship.

“If I can play an active role in a student’s military career, it’s such a cool way to give back. I actually have two people who started a Changing Lives Scholarship who have family that they’re honoring. When you do something unselfish, you’re looking to share something that made you feel good. People want to help our service members and fulfill their dreams by continuing their education,” added Pascucci.

Pascucci feels that NSU’s research and ROTC program embodies the same values that he has followed ever since joining the military.

“My ethics aligned with NSU’s integrity toward the military. They research for our veterans, and focus on PTSD and mindfulness. I’m very involved with donating to their research or helping get community partners,” he said.

Pascucci has made it his mission to give back to the community and is actively searching for others who’d like to contribute to incoming ROTC students’ educations at NSU. As part of his legacy, Pascucci wishes to help those who are less fortunate in terms of finances while also serving fellow military members around him.

“One of the things is, I want to make sure I can do whatever I can to ease the financial burden of someone who wants to serve. I’ve been lucky to get my education paid for with tuition assistance and NSU discounts to the military.”

Pascucci welcomes any partnerships from likeminded individuals who want to support military and veterans-related efforts at NSU. Especially during November’s National Veterans and Military Families Month, he also encourages supporters to make a contribution to the NSU Army ROTC’s Greatest Needs campaign.

 

HCAS hosts Women’s Roundtable featuring Three Conflict Resolution Doctoral Graduates

Community Resolution Services in the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies in the Halmos College of Arts and Humanities and Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Institute (HCAS) hosted a Women’s Roundtable via Zoom on November 6, 2020. The event featured three doctoral graduates and four partners from the national law firm Wicker Smith. The event provided strategies and tips for career success, including networking, breaking the glass ceiling, and getting started on your career path.

The three alumni included Kathleen Harmon, Ph.D., founder and president of Harmon/York Associates, consultants to the construction industry, Randy Rutledge, Ph.D., the Founder and Managing Director of Rutledge & Associates, LLC, and Gwendolyn Smith, Ph.D., Chairperson at Green Growth Suriname Foundation.

Community Resolution Services is a practicum and volunteer site for students to engage the NSU and local community in workshops, training, and dialogues, featuring storytelling and other events. For more information, please contact Judith McKay, J.D., Ph.D. at mckayj@nova.edu

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