5
COM Outlook .Spring 2015
On February 1, a new chapter in the
college’s rich history was written when
Elaine M. Wallace, D.O., M.S., M.S.,
M.S.
, became the fifth dean of NSU’s
College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr.
Wallace succeeds Anthony J. Silvagni,
D.O., Pharm.D., M.Sc., FACOFP
dist.
,
who had served as dean since July 1998.
“Dr. Wallace’s record of distin-
guished service to Nova Southeastern
University and its College of Osteo-
pathic Medicine has prepared her to
further NSU’s recognition and acclaim
as a premier institution for medical
education, research and innovation,
and community service,” said George
L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., NSU president
and chief executive officer.
During the past 15 years, Dr. Wal-
lace has served in various NSU-COM
capacities, most recently as executive
associate dean (2009-15), professor of
osteopathic principles and practice
(2000-15), clinical professor for family
medicine (2000-15), and staff physician
for NSU’s Sanford L. Ziff Health Care
Center (2000-15). In addition, she served
as associate dean of academic admin-
istration (2008-09), chair of the Depart-
ment of Osteopathic Principles and
Practice and the Department of Sports
Medicine (2000-08), liaison to interna-
tional medicine (2000-08), and residency
director for sports medicine and the
sports medicine fellowship (2000-09).
In her new role as NSU-COM dean,
Dr. Wallace’s immediate plans are to
“continue the high-quality programs
and education initiated by Dr. Silvagni
as well as evaluate needs of the physi-
cian of the future,” she explained. “I
also have a desire to reinvent medi-
cal students as renaissance men and
women who distinguish themselves in
fields related to medicine as well as in
the traditional body of medical study.”
Dr. Wallace is an active scholar and
researcher with a distinguished pub-
lication record. She also has received
numerous awards and recognition for
her mentorship, teaching excellence,
and student engagement, including
NSU’s Faculty Award for Community
Service (2012) and the prestigious
Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine
Award (2013) that is awarded annually
by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation to a
select group of faculty members from
the nation’s medical schools.
Additionally, she is fully engaged
in the professional community, serv-
ing in past and current leadership
roles with the American Osteopathic
Association, American Academy of
Osteopathy, American Association of
Osteopathic Directors and Medical
Educators, and the National Board of
Osteopathic Medical Examiners.
“I have had the distinct pleasure of
working with Dr. Wallace during our
mutual 15 years of service to NSU’s
College of Osteopathic Medicine,” said
Joseph S. De Gaetano, D.O., M.S.Ed,
FAAFP, FACOFP, senior associate dean
for osteopathic education. “She is a
consummate clinician, superb physi-
cian executive, and preeminent medical
educator whose nationally recognized
skills and vision will lead the college
to new heights of accomplishment. The
students as well as the faculty and staff
members will thrive under her leader-
ship, and I look forward to working
closely with her for years to come.”
Dr. Wallace began her career in a
private family medicine practice in
Kansas City, Missouri, and subsequent-
ly assumed faculty and leadership
positions at the University of Health
Sciences College of Osteopathic Medi-
cine in Kansas City.
She earned her Doctor of Osteo-
pathic Medicine, Master of Science
in Higher Education, and Master of
Science in Leadership degrees from the
University of Health Sciences College
of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Wallace
also received her Master of Science
in Criminal Justice with a behavioral
science specialization from NSU and is
currently pursuing her Doctor of Orga-
nizational Leadership (Ed.D.).
TRANSITION AT THE TOP
Former NSU-COM Deans
Dr. Arnold Melnick (1980-89)
Dr. Joseph Namey (1989-91)
Dr. Matthew Terry (1991-97)
Dr. Anthony J. Silvagni (1998-2015)
Dr. Elaine M. Wallace Named
Dean of NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine
