a performance in late 2013 of the area’s
first robotic sleeve procedure at Largo—a
member of NSU-COM’s Consortium for
Excellence in Medical Education.
OMS-III Carisa
Champion-Lippmann
received a significant
honor when she was
named a Guardian of
the Profession by the
American Osteopathic
Association—an
accolade normally
reserved for physicians, not students. The
honor recognizes an osteopathic physician who
advances the culture of osteopathic medicine
by having served in a local, state, or national
osteopathic leadership role. A guardian also
demonstrates a strong sense of pride in the
osteopathic medical profession and works
actively to advance osteopathic medicine with
colleagues and the general public.
On February 19,
Norman E. Vinn, D.O.,
M.B.A., FACOFP
, the 117
th
president of the
American Osteopathic Association, visited
NSU-COM to interact with students and faculty
members. Dr. Vinn’s discussion focused on
the development of a culture that creates a
positive and memorable D.O. identity that will
enhance the image of the profession.
Pictured (from left) are Anthony J. Silvagni,
D.O., Pharm.D., M.Sc., FACOFP dist., NSU-COM
dean, Marsha Vinn, B.A., Dr. Norman Vinn,
Howard Neer, D.O., FACOFP, associate dean
of alumni affairs and HPD executive associate
dean for professional affairs, and Delfina
Wilson, Ph.D., director of student services.
COM
munications
7
COM Outlook . Spring 2014
On March 6, the American Osteopathic Association held
its annual
D.O. Day on Capitol Hill
, where students from
the various U.S. osteopathic medical schools met with their
representatives and senators to discuss important issues
facing students, physicians, and patients today. This year,
15 NSU-COM students attended and represented the col-
lege along with Dr. Silvagni and faculty member Oneka B.
Marriott, D.O., M.P.H., FAAP, FACOP.
Following D.O. Day on Capitol Hill, several students
remained in D.C. to attend the Spring Student Osteopathic
Medical Association Convention. During the event, the
NSU-COM SOMA chapter received the Region II Award for
“Excellence in Promoting Osteopathic Medicine.” In related
convention news, OMS-II Meshva Patel was selected to serve
on the SOMA National Board as its public relations director.
Pictured (from left) at D.O. Day on Capitol Hill are
Jorge D. Luna, D.O., FACOFP (FOMA president), OMS-II
Vivek Rajasekhar, OMS-II Jasmine Nebhrajani, OMS-II
Ricky Patel, OMS-II Kevin Schoen, OMS-II Zophia Marti-
nez, OMS-II Garima Kalra, OMS-II Justin Nippert, OMS-I
Catalina Rodriguez, OMS-III Carisa Champion-Lippmann,
Students Flex Legislative Skills
During D.O. Day on Capitol Hill
On February 8, NSU-COM students who recently estab-
lished a
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
participated in NSU’s 11
th
Annual CommunityFest, educat-
ing the public about basic disaster response. A CERT offers
critical support to first responders by assisting in emer-
gency situations, providing immediate assistance to victims,
conducting field triage at a disaster site, and collecting
important information for rescue personnel.
The teams offer a great way to get involved in the
community, acquire basic lifesaving skills, and learn how
to respond to emer-
gencies and disas-
ters. CERT training
is open to all NSU
students as well
as faculty and staff
members.
The training
course is taught
by local firefight-
ers and paramedics and is administered by the Davie Fire
Department. In March, NSU’s first group of CERT members
completed the training program. Participants described the
training as fun, useful, and practical.
OMS-I Omeed Sizar, founder and president of the NSU
CERT club, has been working closely with the Institute for
Disaster and Emergency Preparedness and hopes to make
the organization a campus-wide group that will collaborate
with the university’s Office of Public Safety.
Student Group Focuses on
Emergency Response Training
Dr. Anthony J. Silvagni, OMS-II Trevine Albert, Dr. Oneka
B. Marriott, OMS-II Jonathan Chapekis, OMS-IV Ashley
Guthrie, OMS-I Natalie Voorn, and OMS-II Meshva Patel.
(Not pictured: OMS-IV Mark Liwanag)
