COM Outlook - Winter 2016

College of Osteopathic Medicine 23 Medical Outreach Trip: Panama City, Panama NSU-COM Students Garner AOF Honors On October 16, a number of NSU-COM students were honored at the American Osteopathic Foun- dation (AOF) Honors ceremony in Orlando, which recognizes excellence among osteopathic physicians, educators, students, and other individuals. Listed below are the recipients, as well as the scholarship amounts they received. Carisa Champion-Lippmann , J.D. (class of 2016) Welch Scholars Grant ($2,000) Daniel Leiva , M.S. (class of 2016) Human Touch Student Leadership Project 2015 ($1,060) Rajeswari Murugan (class of 2017) Human Touch Student Leadership Project ($1,060) Chelsea Wells (class of 2016) Human Touch Student Leadership Project ($1,060) Jessica Mahon (spouse of Justin Mahon, D.O.) Donna Jones Moritsugu Memorial Award Ashley Van Putten (left) and Kristina Gemayel provide comfort to a postoperative pediatric patient in Panama. In June, second-year students Kristina Gemayel , M.S., and Ashley Van Putten , M.S., accompanied the Children’s Heart Center of Nevada on a medical outreach trip to Panama City, Panama. Over the course of 10 days, the student duo participated in cardiac catheterizations and prescreenings of children being considered for heart repairs and were present in the operating room during open-heart surgeries. Following the surgical procedures, Gemayel and Van Putten assisted the physicians in translating the children’s words for the health care staff and comforted the children as they recovered from their surgeries. “Having the ability to apply our knowledge from the classroom, and seeing the amount of care involved in pediatric postoperative intensive care units, has made us passionate about the importance of caring for our future patients,” Gemayel stated. Van Putten serves as president of the college’s Pediatrics Club, while Gemayel is the club’s health fair chair. Because they are committed to combining their passion for community service and pediatrics, they frequently volunteer at local health fairs and at various Broward County schools, where they promote the importance of proper nutrition and exercise. Champion-Lippmann Leiva Murugan Wells