COM Outlook Summer/Fall 2020

56 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE CLOSING Notes CLOSING NOTES Bindu Mayi, Ph.D., M.Sc., professor of microbiology, won the Professor of the Year Award at the 22nd Annual NSU Student Life Achievement (STUEY) Awards presented at a virtual ceremony on April 23. For those unfamiliar with the STUEY Awards, the event was created in 2000 to honor the people and organizations that best exem- plify the NSU Core Values of academic excellence, student centered, scholarship/research, integrity, innovation, opportunity, diversity, and community. “I am honored to receive this award, and I am grateful to be recognized for something I absolutely love doing,” said Mayi, who enjoys interacting with her students. “My congratulations to the winners in the other categories and to all the nominees. It is a privilege to be counted among them.” In addition to her dedication to her students, Mayi has been a valuable asset to NSU and the South Florida community during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the past few months, Mayi has been a go-to expert for many media outlets and has been featured in the South Florida Sun Sentinel , on Local 10 News , and in many other publications and news programs. While the event is traditionally held in true Acad- emy Awards style with photographers, festive recep- tions, and speeches, this year’s virtual ceremony reminded the NSU community that despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the university would continue to function smoothly. o Bindu Mayi Wins Professor of the Year STUEY Student of the Year Regina Zambrano Executive of the Year Hilda De Gaetano, D.O., M.S. Alumni of the Year Carisa Champion, D.O., J.D., M.P.H. Graduate Organization of the Year American Medical Women’s Association Corporate Partner of the Year Werner Kahn Studios Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most Senior Week activities—including the Senior Awards Dinner Dance, the military commissioning ceremony, and the commencement ceremony—were either canceled or held virtually. One such event—the Oath of Com- mitment Ceremony—allowed the KPCOM class of 2020 graduates to recite their oath of commitment on May 15 via Zoom, with more than 600 participants in virtual attendance. The ceremony began with remarks from George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., NSU president and chief executive officer, and Elaine M. Wallace, D.O., M.S. 4 , KPCOM dean. Awards presentations and slideshows featuring the graduates and Match Day celebrations also served as highlights, as the graduating class marked another academic accomplishment before entering residency. It is important to note that during the 2019–2020 academic year, a record number of KPCOM degrees were conferred. In May, 242 D.O., 84 Master of Public Health, 34 Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics, 10 Master of Science in Disaster and Emergency Manage- ment, 4 Master of Science in Nutrition, 2 Master of Science in Medical Education, and 6 Bachelor of Science in Public Health degrees were bestowed. o Graduation 2020 Overview OTHER NOMINEES REPRESENTING THE KPCOM WITH DISTINCTION WERE