NSU Horizons Spring 2014

15 HORIZONS Andrew Dec, a fourth-year medical stu- dent, spent five weeks in the Philippines doing a medical rotation at Mary Chiles Gen- eral Hospital in the Anesthesia Department. “I had the opportunity to participate in my first Operation Smile, a mission organized to correct cleft lips and palates, while on location in Manila. Experiencing the difference in medical practice compared to the United States and assimi- lating into the rich culture that exists in South Asia were incredible, life-altering experiences,” said Dec, currently an anesthesiology resident at the Univer- sity of Kentucky. NSU medical students can take advantage of rotation opportunities in 28 countries on five continents. “The international rotations allow our medical students and faculty members to learn and share different health care delivery systems and also introduce the osteopathic profession around the world,” said James T. Howell, M.D., M.P.H., assistant dean for professional relations at NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and director of the Interna- tional Medical Rotations Program. Not only do the programs teach practical experi- ence, but they make students better clinicians, according to Anthony DeNapoli, Ed.D., NSU’s executive director of the Office of International Affairs. “NSU students who are engaged in these international rotations return to the United States with a global medical mindset,” said DeNapoli. “Their experiences will undoubtedly change the way they think, view, understand, and care for a chang- ing patient population in America.” REAL-WORLD WORK EXPERIENCE Internship programs also are an important draw for students making their deci- sion to attend NSU. “Intern- ship opportunities are very essential in recruiting stu- dents when they are making a decision about higher education,” said Shari Saperstein, executive director of NSU’s Office of Career Development. Saperstein says the office provides a holistic approach to helping match a student with the right internship. “It’s a very personalized process. What we do at the core of our advisement services is help students really put their fingers on what will comple- ment their interests, work well with what they are learning in the classroom, and ultimately, what will be the most valuable to them upon graduation.” Tucci, a junior finance major and Razor’s Edge Leadership Program scholarship student, previously had an internship at a large financial firm. When she wanted another internship, she contacted Diane Klein, assistant director of employer relations and internships, at NSU’s College of Undergraduate Above: Marco Báez, a junior in criminal justice, left, and Emeline Calligaris, right, a junior majoring in biology, discuss their time in Rome with Alejandra Parra, associate director of international affairs. Top left: Alixandra Tucci confers with Tony Egizi, president and CFO of CRAE, where Tucci interned. Top right: Ana Maria Castejon, associate professor in the depart- ment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, at work Page 12 from left: Sheava Blackman, Danielle Lerch, Katerina Melomed, Brooke Burgess, Gladiany Ramos, Zaritza Cajigas, Melissa Selinqer, Joan Cruet, and Homar Alexis in Bratislava, Slovakia