On August 25,
David
Satcher, M.D., Ph.D.
,
the
former U.S. surgeon gen-
eral, served as the key-
note speaker at the com-
mencement ceremony for
NSU’s College of Nursing
and College of Health
Care Sciences. During
the ceremony, more than
700
students received
their nursing, audiology,
health sciences, occupa-
tional therapy, and physician assistant degrees at the BankAtlantic Cen-
ter in Sunrise, Florida.
As surgeon general under President Bill Clinton and President
George W. Bush, Dr. Satcher provided Americans the best scientific
information available on how to improve their health and reduce the
risk of illness and injury. He protected and advanced the health of the
nation through educating the public, advocating for effective disease
prevention and health promotion programs and activities, and providing
a highly recognized symbol of national commitment to protecting and
improving the public’s health.
19
COM Outlook . Fall 2012
NSU
Overview
Priority Project: Saving the Corals
In August, researchers from
NSU’s National Coral Reef Institute
plunged into the ocean to observe the once-a-year phenomenon known
as coral spawning. After the full moon each August, corals release mil-
lions of sperm and eggs into the ocean at night. NSU researchers then
collect some of the fertilized eggs to grow corals in their laboratory.
The researchers have observed the coral spawning event for years,
but this year was special. Scientists are observing the spawning not
only in the offshore coral nursery off the coast of Fort Lauderdale but
in the land-based coral nursery located at NSU’s new Center of Excel-
lence for Coral Reef Ecosystems Research.
The staghorn corals have been thriving in the laboratory-based
nursery for almost two years, and the fact that they are reproducing
normally, just like the corals in the natural reef environment, is very en-
couraging. NSU scientists collected eggs and sperm from both offshore
and lab-based nurseries and are raising the larvae in the laboratory.
When lab corals reach a minimum size, researchers will return them to
the ocean to help restore reefs that have been physically damaged by
events such as anchors and ship groundings.
Former U.S. Surgeon General
Speaks at Commencement
Odds and Ends
OMS-III Kacie Bhusman
was appointed as the 2012-13 student
representative for the AOA Committee on Palliative Care Issues.
CORRECTION:
In the
summer 2012 issue of
COM Outlook
,
the top win-
ners of the Dr. Kenneth S.
Burnell Student Research
Awards were incorrectly
listed. The top winners, who each received $750, were
OMS-III
Katherine Beditz
(
left) and
OMS-IV Emily Young
.
