CHCS Perspectives Winter 2014

PERSPECTIVES • WINTER 2014 – Page 34 collecting boxes of toiletries and grooming products. In addition, several students volunteered their time to pack the boxes of sup- plies that were sent overseas to soldiers serving in Afghanistan. In December 2012, the class did similar volunteer work in conjunc- tion with PA Comfort in Combat—an organization created by Robin Schugar M.P.A.S., PA-C, assistant professor—through the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants Foundation. For addi- tional information on Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, please visit www.forgottensoldiers.org . To learn more about PA Comfort in Com- bat, please visit the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants Foun- dation’s Web site at www.fapafoundation.org . During the summer of 2013, the class participated in a drive sponsored by NSU’s Health Professions Division to collect money and supplies for the ravaged victims of the Oklahoma tornadoes. The drive, held in the form of a competition among the different health care disciplines in the Health Professions Division, was won by the physician assistant class of 2014, which was awarded a class celebration party at a nearby restaurant for collecting the most money and supplies. All of these productive and philanthropic drives were fueled by the tireless efforts of class of 2014 student Valerie Fiordilino, who blends her passion with compassion. She has been helped by PA class of 2014 officers Nicolas Wert (president), Amanda Miller (vice president), Hannah Kozak (treasurer), Hilary Hagen (fund-raising chair), Romina Alzamendi (secretary), Aditi Ram- charitar (Florida Academy of Physician Assistants’ representa- tive), and Morganne Lliteras (American Academy of Physician Assistants’ representative). Fiordilino’s fund-raising skills extend beyond the classroom, as evidenced by her leadership activity in the Leukemia and Lym- phoma Society Palm Beach Chapter. To raise money for the soci- ety, she runs the annual spring Bachelor Auction for Blood Cancer, which is 100 percent donation-based. The event features a bache- lor date auction and an extensive silent auction comprising items including private jet rides, parasailing adventures, exotic car-ride rentals, and tickets to sold-out sporting events. Several students at- tended the event, which raised $50,000. To contact the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society chapter in Palm Beach, please call (561) 775-9954 or visit www.lls.org/pb . In summary, the physician assistant class of 2014 – Fort Laud- erdale found numerous ways to aid a variety of individuals in need during the 2012-13 academic year. The students’ many charitable efforts are inspirational and demonstrate what people can do to better the lives of others. ...Class of 2014 Alicia R. Bolden, M.P.A.S., PA-C, assistant pro- fessor, who is the latest addition to the Physician Assistant Program, joins the CHCS after spend- ing eight years in clinical practice as a physician assistant in internal medicine. Her most recent position was at Maxine Hamilton M.D., P.A., and Broward Health Medical Center, specializ- ing in adult inpatient medicine. She has also served as a clinical trial investigator for Novo Nordisk and Roche pharmaceuticals, with a con- centration in diabetic agents. Bolden earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida and a master’s degree in Physi- cian Assistant Studies in 2005 from the Univer- sity of Florida. In addition, she is a member of the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants. Alicia Bolden Joins Faculty Team