2016 Fact Book

54 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. Over the years, the Health Professions Division (HPD) of NSU has trained and provided many young physicians, dentists, optometrists, and pharmacists to the armed forces of our country. The HPD of NSU has nearly 100 students annually who are attending our dental, medical, optometry, and pharmacy programs under the military’s Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). Highly qualified students who are the recipients of an HPSP federal scholarship have their full professional school tuition covered under this competitive program. Students commit to serve on active duty in the United States armed forces for a requisite number of years after graduation from their health professions program as part of the scholarship requirements. HPD has a longstanding commitment to promoting service to underserved communities. More than 60 HPD students have received the National Health Service Corps Tuition Scholarship in exchange for service in designated health shortage areas. During 2014–2015, 12 HPD students were National Health Service Corps Scholars. 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 16 years ago, there has been a tremendous increase in basic research funding, research publication, and submitted grants. Students participate in diverse research programs and present their findings at regional and national professional conferences. In the past 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 offers an innovative, newly designed curriculum which graduates competent clinicians devoted to primary and comprehensive care for all patients. The college, accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, 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 both healthy and medically compromised patients in modern dental facilities in Davie and throughout Broward County. A unique, six-year program has been developed to address the access to primary health care issues and meet the needs of underserved populations. The College of Dental Medicine and the College of Osteopathic Medicine have structured a curriculum that provides an opportunity for a student to receive a D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree and a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree. This is the only joint D.O./D.M.D. program in the United States at this time. A graduate of this program will be prepared to provide primary health care that will address preventive medicine and general dentistry. n College of Dental Medicine n College of Health Care Sciences n College of Medical Sciences n College of Nursing n College of Optometry n College of Osteopathic Medicine n College of Pharmacy Health Professions Division