College of Dental Medicine Lasting Impressions Magazine

NSU COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE © 9 Message from the Interim Chancellor NSU’s Health Professions Division (HPD) has evolved into one of the largest and most com- prehensive health care education institutions in the United States, comprising 8 unique colleges and more than 60 degree and certifi- cate programs. In late January, NSU announced the attainment of significant financial gifts, which resulted in the renaming of two HPD colleges. The College of Allo- pathic Medicine became the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, while the College of Nursing was renamed the Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing. This altruistic trend continued in February 2018 when a significant gift from Martin and Gail Press resulted in the renaming of the HPD Library. From our newest college—the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine—to our oldest—the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, each one provides high levels of innovation and distinctiveness that enhance NSU’s esteem. The allopathic college, which is already in the process of matriculating its inaugural class, will offer students an innovative model of teaching and practicing medicine. The osteopathic college, established in 1979, is distin- guished by its hallmark D.O. program, but it also consists of one bachelor’s and five master’s degree programs— with more on the development horizon. Similarly, the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences has experienced explosive growth, with 10 distinct health care disciplines and 29 degree programs represented among its academic offerings. The College of Pharmacy continues to push the innova- tion envelope. To provide its students with the most up-to-date training, the college is launching a new Pharm.D. curriculum in August that will focus on patient care and drug delivery and integrate leadership and professional development principles. To provide its students with the best hands-on training possible, the College of Optometry upgraded its Ophthal- mic Optics/Contact Lens Lab and the Pediatrics/Low Vision Lab. Its Procedures Lab also was transformed with new exam rooms that include electronic presentation capabilities and video slit lamps, as well as a room with procedure simulation equipment. In 2017, 12 students and 2 faculty members from the College of Dental Medicine were inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Chi Psi Chapter—the national dental honor society. (See story on page 16.) Additionally, CDM faculty members are conducting cutting-edge research in areas such as diseases that develop bone lytic lesions. The Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing has much to be proud of as well. Its Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Program achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the state licensure exam in the 2016–2017 academic year, while its Entry B.S. in Nursing Program has an average state licensure exam rate of 98 percent. These ongoing achievements enhance our growth, visi- bility, and position in the health professions marketplace. Irving Rosenbaum, D.P.A., Ed.D., M.P.A. Interim Chancellor Health Professions Division