NSU CDM Lasting Impressions Spring 2019

16 | COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE According to Brodie, the dual-degree program does not favor one field of dentistry or medicine. “There’s much interconnection between oral health and systemic health. Osteopathic medicine treats the entire person, and dental health affects overall health,” she said. The year-round program is rigorous, with a heavy course load. The six-year curriculum consists of basic science and dental courses in the first year. The study of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and other systems, as well as clinical practice, is done in the second year. Clinical rotations continue in year three. The dental curri- culum resumes in year four; clinical dental courses, one-month medical electives, and a rotation in rural/ underserved medicine make up year five. Year six is devoted to clinical dentistry and medical electives. “Given the rigors of the program; level of interest; and career path, time, and cost, it’s not a program for everyone,” said Brodie. LEADING MODEL R. Bruce Donoff, D.M.D., M.D., dean and professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, was among those who nominated the CDM and the KPCOM for the award. “The (NSU) program is worthy of recognition by imple- menting change with the highest level of interprofes- sional education. This program succeeds in adding a new dimension to the education of the oral physician,” wrote Donoff, who added that Harvard is about to implement a dual degree “following the model estab- lished at Nova Southeastern University.” Heller will be the eighth student to complete the dual degree. Alexander Powell also is enrolled in the program, which will make him the ninth dual-degree student when he graduates in 2023. Right: CDM Dean Linda C. Niessen, center, talks with Richard Valachovic, president and CEO of the American Dental Education Association; Elaine M. Wallace and Delia Harper-Celestine look on. Below: Niessen discusses the D.O./D.M.D. program, flanked by Harper-Celestine and Wallace, right. Above: Aaron Goodwin and his wife, Thulasi Goodwin, listen to the presentations during the Gies Awards ceremony, with Peter A. Keller, D.D.S., CDM executive associate dean, center. continued from page 15