NSU Horizons Winter 2008 - 2009

F or many children, the first time they have seen a dentist or optometrist is at NSU’s annual A Day for Children health fair, held on campus each September. For parents, it is also an opportunity to become educated about their child’s health. Many parents are not aware a child should first see a dentist at age 1, or as soon as the first tooth erupts, and do not know that their child should have his or her eyes examined between 6 and 12 months of age. NSU has been helping children at A Day for Children since 2002. The fair, which is free to the public, provides health care for children from birth through age 15 and includes screenings for vision, medical, speech, and behavioral and mental health, as well as opportunities for physical and occupational therapy. The services, provided through NSU’s Health Care Centers, showcase the university’s clinical programs and feature more than 75 booths representing different disciplines within the university and community. “This is the premier health event for children in Broward County,” said Robert Oller, D.O., CEO of NSU’s Health Clinics, who launched the event seven years ago. “We had 500 people the first year. Now we get more than 7,000 people and screen at least 5,000 children.” Florida Kid Care, the state children’s health insurance program, also attends the event to enroll hundreds of families into free or low-cost health insurance. The insurance covers children’s medical and dental care, along with prescriptions, eyeglasses, medical emergency transportation, dental cleanings, and x-rays. In addition to the health screenings, A Day for Children provides a variety of entertainment options for children, including a bounce house, face painting, storybook characters, supervised sports activities, arts and crafts, games, and food. New activities in 2008 included free children’s haircuts provided by Jig Saw, and a Teddy Bear Clinic sponsored by Broward Health to help children better understand how hospitals help people. Additional services included fingerprinting by Davie Police and Fire Departments and free safety demonstrations on install- ing child car seats. The League of Hearing also provided amplified telephones, and the Epilepsy Foundation gave out free bicycle helmets. ■ 10 horizons around campus A Life Filled With Purpose— Ronnie Oller “I’m an advocate of anything that helps children,” said Ronnie Oller, who volunteered for A Day for Children when her husband, Robert Oller, D.O., CEO of NSU’s health clinics, first founded it. Ronnie Oller then became chair three years ago.  “When I took over A Day for Children, I was glad to find South Florida health services for children that most people didn’t know existed.” Under her leadership, A Day for Children has grown to include more than 200 volunteer members of the university faculty, staff, and students, and several members of the commu- nity and county-based organizations. “This is not only a clinical day, but also an educational and fun day,” says Oller. “Everyone at this event is defining and celebrat- ing a safe and medically happy life for every child. This is what I enjoy doing.” Volunteerism and community service is nothing new to Oller.  She has given back to her community, primarily children, all of her adult life.  Her drive and ambition is due, in part, to a tumultuous childhood. While she chooses not to focus on her past, she is clear that her childhood has had a profound influence in her determination to provide a nurturing environment to as many children as possible. For 12 years, Oller owned and operated a day nursery for the underserved. Privately and federally funded, her day care provided food, shelter, and education for more than 115 children during that time span. Oller’s life achievements have led to honors by several organizations. Those awards include recognition by the American Women’s Business Association as Advocate of the Year, and more recently, the Presidential Award in recognition of more than 4,000 vol- unteer hours. Most recently, Oller was honored during the South Florida Sixth Annual Speaking of Women’s Health Conference, hosted by WPBT Channel 2, as an individual who has truly enriched our community through her volunteer efforts. ■ A Day for Children