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T
he Health Professions Division (HPD) is
unique in that it has been developed as an
interdisciplinary educational center from its
inception. The division was founded on the concept
that the interdisciplinary approach to education is
beneficial to students of all professions. HPD prepares
students to work effectively with health care providers
from different fields and fosters mutual understanding
of the challenges, rewards, and needs specific to each
discipline. By encouraging students from various
disciplines to learn together, barriers are broken and
patient care is enhanced.
HPD’s mission is to train health professionals to meet
the growing need for primary health care service; to
promote interdisciplinary training and cooperation; to
reach medically underserved rural, geriatric, minority,
and indigent patient groups; and to address the under
representation of minority groups in the health
professions. The division has been widely recognized for
its innovative approach to addressing community health
issues and meeting unmet health care needs in central
and South Florida. HPD has a longstanding commitment
to promoting service to underserved communities.
In 1997, 13 Florida-based National Health Service
Corps scholars received tuition assistance in exchange
for service in federally designated health professional
shortage areas; 12 of the 13 were students of NSU’s
Health Professions Division.
The university is one of three institutions nationwide
selected by the federal Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) for a three-year multisite program
aimed at preventing alcohol-exposed pregnancies in
women at high risk. The study will be conducted
at the Women’s Health Center and the Center for
Psychological Studies.
Scholarship is an essential component of the mission
of the Health Professions Division. Research ensures
the continued intellectual vitality of the faculty and
promotes the formulation of new knowledge, the
integration of knowledge into modern educational
programs and service, and the use of scientific knowledge
and scholarly principles to solve problems.
Since the HPD Research Committee was formed 10
years ago, there has been a tremendous increase in basic
research funding, research publication, and submitted
grants. Students now participate in undergraduate
research programs and present their findings at regional
and national conferences.
In less than two decades, NSU’s Health Professions
Division has developed into a multidisciplinary
academic health center of international stature. With
new, modern facilities, the Health Professions Division
has redoubled its commitment to academic excellence,
innovation, and community service, while expanding
its mission in research and scholarship. As a team,
the faculty prepares students for an exciting career in
tomorrow’s dynamic health care arena.
College of Dental Medicine
The College of Dental Medicine uses an innovative,
newly developed curriculum designed to graduate
competent clinicians devoted to primary and
comprehensive care for all patients. The college
is closely allied with the College of Osteopathic
Medicine and the other colleges of the NSU Health
Professions Division, in proximity, as well as in
academic collaboration. Courses in medicine and basic
biomedical sciences prepare students to treat physically
well and medically compromised patients with assured
quality care in a modern dental facility.
A new six-year program has been added in order to
address the access to primary health care issue and meet
the needs of underserved populations. The College
of Dental Medicine and the College of Osteopathic
Medicine have structured a curriculum that allows
a student the ability to receive a D.M.D. (Doctor
of Dental Medicine) degree and a D.O. (Doctor of
Osteopathic Medicine) degree. This is the only known
D.O./D.M.D. program in the United States at this time.
A graduate of this program will be prepared to deliver a
total holistic approach to health care that will address
preventive medicine and general dentistry.
College of Osteopathic Medicine • College of Pharmacy • College of Optometry • College of Health Care Sciences
College of Medical Sciences • College of Dental Medicine • College of Nursing
Health Professions Division