NSU Horizons Spring 2016

40 NSU HORIZONS to the medically underserved community, many students are not aware this population resides within a few miles of their comfortable homes and school. Promoting awareness and demonstrating compassion and kindness is as important as learning how to perform a patient history and physical examination. Valuing the impor- tance and worth of every human being is something that can be best learned outside the classroom, and commu- nity outreach provides that opportunity.” A 25-YEAR PRESENCE ON THE GULF COAST Housed in a four-story, 60,000-square-foot building near Interstate 75, NSU’s Fort Myers Campus is located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, about a two-hour drive from the university’s Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus. The Fort Myers Campus enrolls 472 students—online and in the classroom—in programs including physician assistant, nursing, education, and speech-language pathology. The campus has three computer labs, nine videoconferencing suites, and multimedia classrooms. Students have access to a fitness center, study rooms, and a student lounge. Although the campus opened at this site in November 2008, “we’ve had a presence on the Gulf Coast for at least 25 years,” said Kevin Hunter, M.Ed. , director of the Fort Myers Campus, citing previous locations in high school facilities and government buildings. With outreach opportunities through Project SEED, Community Wellness Day, and other events, the campus health care and education programs attract the largest number of students. “NSU regional campuses were set up to reflect the needs of the community. And we are focused on educa- tional opportunities and degrees that will provide jobs to our students after graduation,” said Hunter, noting that about 90 percent of students completing the nursing and physician assistant programs find employment. The region’s biggest employers are the Lee County School District and the Lee Memorial Health System. Students see a dual benefit in hands-on training and serving the community. “I believe that it is through the donation of time and services that you learn to possess the most important qualities of being a practi- tioner,” Tsambarlis said. “The fact that NSU faculty members expressed a passion to serve underserved communities was exciting and appealing to me. I know that I will always maintain a great involvement in the community, whatever chance I get.” n Physician Assistant students Maria Tsambarlis, left, and Christina Cellini check on the bicycles to be given to Immokalee residents.