NSU Horizons Spring 2010

3 horizons Academic Notes A medical mission in Togo, West Africa, in- spired Helen Gilmore to pursue a career as a physi- cian assistant (PA). Now, she works toward that goal as part of the first physician assistant class at NSU’s Student Educational Center (SEC) in Jacksonville, Florida. This is one of the latest loca- tions where NSU has expanded its degree offerings in the health professions. “It was inspiring. The PAs on the Togo trip were able to help a lot of people because of their work and their knowledge,” said Gilmore. “When I came home, I knew this is what I wanted to do.” Physician assistants practice medicine with physician supervision. PAs take medical histories, conduct physical examinations, order and interpret tests, diagnose and treat illnesses, assist in surgeries, and write prescriptions. NSU has established PA programs on the main campus and in Orlando and Fort Myers, as well as the inaugural class of 40 PA students who started in Jacksonville last summer. An extension of NSU’s anesthesiologist assis- tant (AA) program also began last year, with 26 students at the SEC in Tampa. AAs work in a care team format with an anesthesiologist to give anes- thesia care. Upon graduation, these students will be granted Master of Health Science degrees. NSU is the fourth university in the United States to offer an AA program and the only university in Florida to have the program. “Florida and the nation have a need for more providers of anesthesia and for more physician assis- tants,” said Richard E. Davis, Ed.D., PA-C, dean of NSU’s College of Allied Health and Nursing, which runs both the AA and PA programs. Being within driving distance of her family in South Carolina and the ability to work closely with accomplished faculty members made the Jacksonville PA program the perfect fit for Gilmore. “The student-to-instructor ratio was the best of any school that I looked at,” said Gilmore, who was elected class president of the inaugural PA class in Jacksonville. “They have jam packed our brains full of as much information as possible.” n Health Professions Degrees Expand Across Florida Some students scurry past with ballet shoes in hand, while others come armed with a cello, guitar, or violin. In the hall, a teen rehearses a monologue. Another student trills up and down the scales, warming up her voice. Though their ages, goals, and activities might differ, each student shares a common bond: They are a part of the bustling hub of creativity fostered at the new Art Institute at NSU’s University School. “There is never a dull moment here,” said Jenny Cook, director of the arts at University School. “We have lessons going on early after- noon through the evening, on weekends, and during school breaks.” The new University School Art Institute was formed when the prekindergarten through 12th grade, private, college preparatory school located on NSU’s main campus underwent the largest expansion in its 39-year history. Part of the $60-million enhancement unveiled in August 2009 included the 70,800-square-foot Epstein Center for the Arts. Thanks to funding provided by the Cahalin Family Foundation, University School was able to open the Art Institute in the Epstein Center to the entire South Florida community, offering classes for children, teens, and adults of all levels of experience. At any given time, more than 30 classes are on the University School Art Institute roster, including individual and ensemble musical instrument and vocal lessons; acting and playwriting workshops; dance and movement classes featuring salsa, tap, ballet, and hip hop; water- color and acrylic painting; and more. “We are always adding new programs and classes,” Cook said. “We are growing tremendously.” For more information, visit www.uschool.nova.edu/artinstitute or call (954) 262-4494. n University School Art Institute a Hub of Community Creativity Second-grader Jacob Levine practices with Gaynor Terrero, a music instructor in the University School’s Art Institute, at the Epstein Center.