COM Outlook Winter 2019

2 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE W hen Morton Terry, D.O., established Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine—the forerunner to Nova Southeastern University’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine— in 1979, who could have imagined what this formidable, visionary figure would accomplish over the next few decades? Dr. Terry’s great foresight would lead to the creation of additional colleges, the founding of Southeastern University of the Health Sciences, and, eventually, the establishing of NSU’s Health Professions Division. His dream was to develop an educational environment that was not only interdisciplinary, but also collaborative concerning the delivery of health care. Today, the Health Professions Division is the ultimate culmination of Dr. Terry’s intuition and vision—a progressive and prosperous health education system made up of 8 colleges and more than 60 degree and certificate programs. Because of Morton Terry and many others who helped pave the way, we were able to create a synergistic health education system that produces thousands of health care professionals on a continuum to care for the residents of the United States. From a nationwide perspective, the NSU Health Professions Division has been a true trendsetter. We have, and continue to, set the example for many established and newer universities, including my alma mater, Columbia University, as well as the University of Chicago and Lincoln University, which are all creating their own versions of our Health Professions Division. Nova Southeastern University has earned its reputation as an esteemed educational institution. If you look at the alumni from our various programs, you will find them working in assorted and important roles throughout the United States. Some are serving as deans, chairs, and directors at prestigious universities, while others are working as small- town health care providers or delivering care at large teaching hospitals. NSU has grown and evolved since its 1964 inception, and its 1994 merger with Southeastern University of the Health Sciences, by adopting the core values and principles of preeminent education. As a result, NSU is being recognized for its all-encompassing excellence, which brings added value to the degrees our graduates earn during their broad-based educational and clinical training. It may be a bold prediction, but I think that within the next 5 to 10 years, NSU will rank as one of the top 100 universities in the United States. Frederick Lippman, R.Ph., Ed.D. Chancellor Health Professions Division/Special Projects HPD COMmuniqué