PERSPECTIVES 25th Anniversary - Fall-Winter 2018

Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences 47 A consultant was expeditiously hired, and she laid the blueprint for the Physician Assistant Program. Training of the first PA class began in 1993, with 15 students. At that time, the PA Program had joined Southeastern University of the Health Sciences in North Miami Beach. Then, in 1994, a merger between Nova University in Davie and Southeastern University of the Health Sciences occurred, and Nova Southeastern University (NSU) was proudly founded. Through the dynamic efforts of Terry, the Health Professions Division was established at NSU’s Fort Lauderdale/ Davie Campus, which is where the PA class of 1995 graduated. Morton Diamond, M.D., FACP, FAHA, FACC, was one of the earliest medical directors, and he continues to dedicate himself to this position today. Terry also had the foresight to provide new educational opportunities for occupational and physical therapy students, with the occupational therapy and physical therapy programs established in 1994. Lippman has stated that one of his goals has been to “inculcate within graduates the theme of collaboration among the different health care specialties.” More Programs Added Over the ensuing 25 years, three additional PA programs were established. First came Naples, Florida, in 2005, with its subsequent move to Fort Myers, Florida; the second in Orlando, Florida, in 2007; and the last in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2009. All four programs are independently accredited, but together they are considered the NSU PA Department. A different director heads each of the programs, which are all chaired by the associate dean, William Marquardt, M.A., PA-C, DFAAPA, who provides excellent leadership. The organization of PA programs in this fashion is unique among PA programs across the country. “In this 25th anniversary of the founding of the College of Allied Health, as well as its first program, PA, we reflect on our many accomplishments over the years. The PA family of NSU has consistently been among the leaders of the profession, both within Florida and around the world,” Marquardt said. “With expansions to Naples/Fort Myers, Orlando, and Jacksonville in the interim, the department has introduced more than 3,100 graduates into the ranks of health providers, who are critical to meeting the needs of our communities, particularly in the areas of primary and preventative care.” The lofty vision of Morton Terry has come to fruition. ● Class of 2015 student Haley Lowe educates a Panera Bread patron about the PA profession while performing a blood pressure screening.