Category: SharkBytes

Staff Member’s Article Focuses on Facilities Management

Reynolds

Mallica Reynolds

NSU employee Mallica D. Reynolds published an article in the APPA Facilities Management MagazineSeptember/October 2024 edition. The focus was on “Trust but Verify: Elevating Integrity in Facilities Management.” Reynolds is the assistant director of regional facilities with the Office of Facilities Management. He is a two-time NSU alum.

Office of Facilities Management champions the need to live out the NSU Core Values in everyday endeavors. Integrity is no exception to this mode of operation. It lays the foundation for internal and external relationships growing strong and operating effectively. Trusting the team to complete their assigned task is one half of the process needed to maintain balance in a productive organization.

Daniel Alfonso, NSU’s vice president of facilities management, promotes a participatory environment between all facilities management teams. Each team collaborates to bring the finished product to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Reynold’s article indicates that facilities management involves managing both people and equipment. People need to be mentored, trained, held accountable, and rewarded for good work. Equipment and mechanical systems must be maintained, upgraded, and replaced. In each area, failure to hold accountable and maintain high levels of integrity can lead to devastating end results such as loss of life.

NSU is an active member of the Association of Physical Plant Administrators (APPA) and the Southeastern Regional Association of Physical Plant Administrators (SRAPPA) and is a driving force setting new national facility management trends. APPA is an international facilities management organization representing more than 17,000 educational facilities professionals from more than 1,200 learning institutions. APPA is the diamond standard for higher educational facilities management.

READ REYNOLD’S ARTICLE.

NSU’s President-Elect Named to Royal College of Surgeons

Harry K. Moon, M.D., FACS, FRCSEd., Nova Southeastern University’s president-elect, executive vice president and chief operating officer, has been named a Fellow ad hominem of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, a professional qualification required to practice as a surgeon in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

Dr. Harry K. Moon

With decades of experience in health care innovation, Dr. Moon joins the ranks of the prestigious Royal College, founded in 1505 under a royal charter from King James IV. It is the oldest surgical college in the world with nearly 32,000 members in 100 countries. Its Fellows champion the highest standards of surgical and dental practice while also standing at the leading edge of technological developments like virtual reality, robotics and simulation.

The power to grant certification for the Royal College of Surgeons is reserved exclusively for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Royal College of Surgeons of England, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

Before joining NSU in 2018, Dr. Moon’s distinguished career included roles such as chief executive officer of Cleveland Clinic Florida. Preceding his Cleveland Clinic appointment, Dr. Moon was a staff physician and chair of the Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery for the Cleveland Clinic Health System as well as a member of the Cleveland Clinic Board of Governors and Cleveland Clinic Foundation Board of Trustees. Under Moon’s leadership, Cleveland Clinic Florida initiated efforts to establish a fully integrated academic medical center in South Florida.

Dr. Moon has been executive vice president and chief operating officer of NSU since 2018. He led the university’s COVID Response Team through the university’s rapid transition to fully online learning during the pandemic, allowing NSU to sustain and increase enrollments. NSU was one of Broward County’s first free vaccine sites for the university and surrounding community.

Dr. Moon also led the integration of NSU’s clinical practices to create NSU Health, a university-affiliated health care network.

A distinguished and internationally recognized plastic and reconstructive surgeon, he has been a clinical associate professor of surgery in NSU’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine since 2008 and is now a professor of anatomy at NSU’s Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences.

Dr. Moon will begin his tenure as the seventh president of NSU in January 2025.

Get more information about Dr. Moon.

Posted 04/10/24

Grant Provides Dental Care for Ukrainian Refugees in Florida

From left: Kateryna Klymenko, Dr. Yehuda J. Benjamin, Class of 2024 endodontic resident Dr. Daniel Romero, Class of 2025 endodontic resident Dr. Rachel Schapiro, and patient Polina Danilova

The Ukrainian Refugee Resettlement Project (URRP), led by founder Angie Watstein in coordination with the Department of Endodontics at NSU’s College of Dental Medicine, has been awarded the 2023 Domestic Access to Care Grant by the Foundation of Endodontics and U.S. Endo Partners. This collaboration marks a significant step toward providing critical endodontic care to Ukrainian refugees in Florida, many of whom face barriers to accessing dental services.

This initiative will help Ukrainian refugees needing endodontic services who are ineligible for Medicaid, don’t have dental insurance or cannot afford dental care. The project aids those affected by the Ukrainian conflict, offering support to individuals facing challenges in accessing health care.

Watstein’s team is facilitated by URRP medical needs volunteer Julie Klitzner, who is the operational lead and first contact point. Services are coordinated by Dr. Yehuda J. Benjamin, faculty and staff. The services are performed by postgraduate endodontic residents. Dr. Benjamin is chair of the Endodontics Department. The initiative aids those in need while highlighting the profound impact of collaborative efforts in providing critical care to underserved communities.

One story underscoring the impact of this initiative involves Polina Danilova, a young Ukrainian refugee and her mother, Kateryna Klymenko, who were faced with the prospect of selling their car to afford a vital endodontic dental procedure. Because of intervention by URRP and the College of Dental Medicine, the family received the necessary endodontic treatment, showcasing the life-changing support this grant and initiative offer to a vulnerable population.

For more details on this initiative and others, visit the URRP and NSU College of Dental Medicine‘s websites.

Posted 04/07/24

Art Museum Presents Glackens Exhibition on April 13

The NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale presents “Louis M. Glackens: Pure Imagination!” an exhibition that will kick off April 13 at 5:30 p.m. with a reception.

Learn about the innovative contributions of this trailblazing artist to animation and satire, brought to life through captivating characters and thought-provoking social commentary. Through illustrations provided by The Sansom Foundation, Inc., this exhibition invites you to discover the brilliance of Glackens’ artistic vision.

The reception will be free for members and $25 for non-members. NSU students, faculty and staff can activate their free individual membership HERE.
The museum is at One East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Link to event

Contact information

954-525-5500

moareservations@moafl.org

Posted 03/30/24

TeamSTEPPS Offers Training in Health Care Teamwork May 4

NSU’s Interprofessional Simulation Institute, in partnership with NSU’s Center of Interprofessional Education and Practice, is hosting its first community health care event called TeamSTEPPS® , a training program designed to revolutionize teamwork in health care.

It is open to health care professionals in the community, as well as NSU faculty, alumni and students. The training will be offered as a Zoom session on Saturday, May 4, and presents an evidence-based approach that equips health care professionals with the tools they need to optimize patient outcomes through enhanced communication and collaboration.

Dawn Wawersik

“This event marks a groundbreaking moment for the Institute and its mission to foster a culture of excellence in interprofessional collaboration,” said Dawn Wawersik, executive director of the Institute.

Wawersik, a decorated Navy veteran and critical care nurse, joined NSU in 2023 to lead the Institute. She has worked across colleges to enhance simulation training and standardize processes. Her career includes clinical practice, simulation center leadership, and a Ph.D. in Health Professions Education and Simulation.

“TeamSTEPPS®  will empower our community to deliver the highest quality care possible,” Wawersik said.”

Space is limited. Register today.

Posted 03/29/24

Theatre Major to Perform in Comedy at Broward Center

Spencer Carlisle on stage

B.A. in Theatre major Spencer Carlisle is taking his talents to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts with his upcoming role as Johnny Nunzio in the off-Broadway comedy “Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding,” which debuts on Valentine’s Day.

A theater major in the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, Carlisle has appeared in productions such as “Maltese Falcon,” “The Mousetrap,” “And the World Goes Round” and “Zombie Prom.”

“Spencer is an incredibly dedicated student who works hard to bring his best to whatever he takes on,” said Bill J. Adams, D.M.A., professor and program director for the B.A. in Music and B.A. in Theatre programs. “It is always a pleasure to work with him.”

“Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding” is New York’s longest-running off-Broadway comedy and runs Feb. 14-25 at the Broward Center’s Abdo New River Room. The audience can participate in Tony and Tina’s wedding with a full-course Italian dinner and dancing. View showtimes and ticket prices here.

Learn more about the B.A. in Theatre program here.

Posted 02/04/24

Honors, Law Alum Uses Law to Fight Cyber Fraud

John Paul, J.D.

Farquhar Honors College alum John Paul, J.D., is a lawyer on the leading edge of cyber fraud prosecution. Joining the ranks of the Office of the Florida Attorney General’s Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit as a senior assistant statewide prosecutor, Paul is dedicated to bringing justice to victims of cyber fraud.

Created by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, the Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit investigates and prosecutes cyber fraud cases across Florida. As technology rapidly advances, cyber fraud becomes increasingly common as scamming methods rise.

“The vision. . . to help victims of cyber fraud, especially elderly victims who sometimes lose their life savings through cyber fraud scams, really resonates with me,” said Paul. “Helping to recover these funds, prosecute those who violate the law and bring them to justice, and disrupt the criminal networks are all really rewarding.”

Paul graduated from NSU in 2006 with a B.A. in Legal Studies and 2009 with his J.D. from the Shepard Broad College of Law. Since graduating, he has worked in prosecution and law enforcement for nearly 15 years.

“The [Honors College] gave me a well-rounded education that included a focus on interdisciplinary learning,” said Paul. “Having exposure to many subject areas is a tool that I use every day. My cases involved an intersection of law, cyber security, IT infrastructure, finance, business, psychology, and even medicine, just to name a few.”

Posted 01/14/24

Education Alum Named Finalist for STEAM Educator of Year

A Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice graduate has been named a finalist for STEAM Educator of the Year for Women in Technology.

Marquita Blades

Marquita Blades graduated from NSU with her doctorate in Instructional Leadership. After working as a teacher for 16 years, she began her own education consulting business. She also teaches classes at NSU as an adjunct professor.

However, Blades said that it wasn’t until she left the K-12 classroom that she finally began to win awards for her work, and most recently, her dedication to education earned her a nomination as STEAM Educator of the Year.

“It felt a little bit unbelievable,” Blades said. “It really felt like that after 20-plus years in the game, I am finally getting my just-rewards, and finally having my dedication validated in the broader community, and it’s not just within the education community, it’s in the broader STEM community.”

Blades was nominated by a friend and colleague for the recognition.

“She said, Well, I think that you’ll be a great fit for this, I think you’d have a good chance of being recognized.’”

The colleague’s hunch proved to be correct, as Blades made it to the final round, something that she has heard is unheard of for a first-time nominee.

The event was held in October in Atlanta, and the overall award was given to Dr. Hannah Oldham. However, the acknowledgment has propelled Dr. Blades to continue working in the field and to amplify her voice.

“When I got recognized by the Women in Technology, it just empowered me to become more vocal about the technology work that I am doing,” she said.

Blades works as a consultant training teachers on various aspects of STEM education. She also conducts a seminar called the 50 Best Tech Tools and Strategies for Increasing Science Engagement. She also recently developed and launched an AI tools for a science teachers training.

“I’ve been working to advocate for the presence of K through 12 science educators to become more vocal and more seen in the legislative community, but this — being recognized in this way by the Women in Technology — it has given me a bigger platform and a bigger voice to do more of that.”

Congratulations Marquita Blades on all your hard work!

Posted 01/14/24

Difficult Route to Med School No Match for Future Doctor

Melissa Jomsky

For Melissa Jomsky, life always required extra resilience. Growing up in Fort Lauderdale, her parents struggled, with little money and even fewer resources. Family support and encouragement – especially toward education – was in short supply.

“Our thought process was ‘survival mode’ all the time,” she said.

Yet, she credits growing up in a low socioeconomic environment for shaping the person she is today … and providing the motivation needed in her education journey.

“No doubt, what has gotten me this far is my determination,” she said.

Melissa earned an education degree from the University of Central Florida, and after working two years as a fourth-grade teacher in Orlando – a great career but personally not a good fit, she said – Melissa moved back home. Not wanting to teach, she took a job as a receptionist at a doctor’s office to pay the bills. That’s where she found a mentor, something she never had. It’s also where she started thinking about medical school, a dream she never imagined.

“It was nice hearing someone who was educated tell me that I was smart. It was very motivating to know he really believed that I could be a physician,” she said. “But I knew people like me don’t just become doctors. But then I thought, ‘How do I really know that?’”

Being from Fort Lauderdale, Melissa knew of NSU and its M.D. program. She also knew many of her UCF classes wouldn’t transfer. With no help or support from others, she spent seven years saving money, working full-time, and taking one to two classes a semester at Broward College to get the prerequisites done.

Her challenges continued with the MCAT, the standardized admissions test for medical schools. Melissa had never taken a test like that before, and studying for it and saving money for it would take more time. She also took the test more than once to improve her score – and did – but it still wasn’t competitive. That’s when she learned about NSU’s Master of Biomedical Sciences – a program designed to enhance students’ academic background and make them more competitive for professional health care programs.

“With NSU’s allopathic medical school having only 50 spots, I knew I needed to stand out in the crowd,” she said. “This master’s program did that for me. It gave me the confidence I needed. I did well with my MBS; I knew I would do well with an M.D.”

So, at age 32, Melissa applied and was accepted to the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, where she is the second-oldest classmate in her cohort.

“It definitely feels homey, and there’s a sense that we are all together in this,” she said, while admitting that being older creates a disconnect with students 10 years her junior. “But I know they will always have a place in my heart, and I can see certain people who will definitely be with me through my career.”

Helping students bond comes easier when class sizes are small, which is a strength of NSU, according to Melissa. “It’s one of the reasons I wanted to go to med school here. It’s individualized, nobody goes under the radar, and we aren’t pitted against each other.”

Another plus for Melissa? The thought that goes into the curriculum.

“NSU is a newer med school and honestly, I think it’s the best characteristic. Everything is so fresh – it’s not built on ‘Oh, this is what’s worked for years so let’s just do it that way.’ Here, they genuinely listen to and make changes based off students’ feedback. I love that.”

As a first-year medical student, Melissa remains open to the type of doctor she wants to be. But growing up in a low socioeconomic environment will play a role.

“I think it’s something that’s super important and shaped the type of person I am,” she said. “When I hear about health disparities, or about a patient who needs a certain treatment, I ask if they will be able to afford that or if it is covered by Medicaid. It’s something I am very passionate about – bringing health care to those from low socioeconomic backgrounds.”

And she has advice for those who might be contemplating medical school: Don’t give up.

“Applying and getting in is probably the hardest part. It took me seven years and there were a lot of people who doubted I could do it,” she said. “Just don’t give up. You must stay committed.”

Posted 11/26/23

Honors Students Participate in World Mental Health Day

Students take a group picture after completing the Mental Health First Aid certification course.

Each year on Oct. 10, we celebrate World Mental Health Day (WMHD), a day where individuals and organizations raise awareness of mental health issues around the world to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. During this day, individuals working on mental health field share their current work and what needs to be done to make mental health and wellbeing a reality all.

In celebration of WMHD this Oct. 10, 16 students in the Farquar Honors College became certified Mental Health First Aiders. Similar to First Aid in which individuals are able to help others in an emergency situation, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based, early intervention and public education program that helps individuals identify, understand, and respond to those exhibiting signs of mental problems or crises. There are separate training courses for assisting adults and youth, and a variety of specialized training topics which focus on those working with vulnerable populations such as Fire/EMS, Military/Veterans, Public Safety, and Higher Education, to name a few.

The training was offered through the Exploring Population Mental Health and Wellbeing course (BPH 3990H) taught by Christi M. Navarro, Ph.D., M.S., an Assistant Professor of Public Health at the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine and certified MHFA Instructor. Navarro offers the training through an ongoing partnership with the United Way of Broward County who has certified over 100 NSU students in MHFA since 2020.

If you are interested in learning more about Mental Health First Aid or are interested in scheduling a training for your department or organization, please contact Dr. Navarro at cnavarro@nova.edu.

Posted 10/22/23

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