2018 NSU Fact Book

55 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. The 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, HPD has trained and provided many young physicians, dentists, optometrists, and pharmacists to the armed forces of our country. The HPD 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. The HPD has a longstanding commitment to promoting service to underserved communities. More than 80 HPD students have received the National Health Service Corps Tuition Scholarship in exchange for service in designated health shortage areas. During 2016–2017, 11 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 (CDM) offers an innovative, high-tech curriculum that graduates clinicians who provide primary, comprehensive care for all patients. The NSU College of Dental Medicine has a long-standing commitment to providing dental care for the underserved and patients with special health care needs. The college, accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, is closely allied with the other colleges of the NSU Health Professions Division. Courses in medicine and basic biomedical sciences prepare students to treat both healthy and medically complex patients. The dental simulation laboratory enables students to learn the clinical dental procedures prior to providing comprehensive dental care to patients in modern dental facilities on the Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus and throughout Broward and Miami-Dade counties. 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 Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine have structured a curriculum that provides an opportunity for a student to receive College of Dental Medicine | College of Medical Sciences | College of Optometry | College of Pharmacy | Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine | Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine | Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences | Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing Health Professions Division