2019 NSU Fact book

2019 FACT BOOK 69 NSU’s 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 eŒectively with health care providers from diŒerent 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. The Health Professions Division consists of eight colleges: The Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, the College of Pharmacy, the College of Optometry, the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences, the College of Medical Sciences, the College of Dental Medicine, the Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing, and the newest addition, the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, which accepted its charter class of 50 students for the 2018–2019 academic year. Over the years, the HPD has trained many young physicians, dentists, optometrists, and pharmacists for 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 pro- moting 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 knowl- edge and scholarly principles to solve problems. Since the HPD Research Committee was formed 17 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 NSU’s College of Dental Medicine (CDM) oŒers an innovative, high-tech curriculum that graduates clinicians who provide primary, comprehensive care for all patients. NSU’s College of Dental Medicine has a long-standing commitment to providing dental care HEALTH PROFESSIONS DIVISION 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