Perspectives Spring 2015

PERSPECTIVES • SPRING 2015 32 DR. SUE RYAN – ACADEMIC ADVANCEMENT Teaching has been a lifelong passion for Sue Ryan, Ed.D., PA-C, R.N., assistant professor, who graduated from New York’s Stony Brook University in 2001. She joined the NSU faculty in 2009, bringing with her 11 years of clinical experience ranging from oc- cupational medicine to urgent care. Dr. Ryan, who teaches several courses at the Orlando Campus, including alternative medicine, earned her Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from NSU last May. “I took all of my electives in education—learning styles, learn- ing theory, assessment techniques, etc.” she said. “My disserta- tion was about professionalism in PA education, and I hope to publish it soon.” INTERVIEWS AND RECRUITMENT GRADUATING CLASS OF 2016 The days of coveted interview sessions facilitated by our ex- tremely selective faculty members finally arrived. Sitting nerv- ously in their crisp dress shirts and pressed suits, prospective students sat in our lobby in what seemed to be an endless wait for their names to be called. Among these were the chosen few who by spring were selected to comprise our new graduating class of 2016. DR. ADAM WOOD – NEW NSU ADJUNCT PROFESSOR Adam Wood, Pharm.D., DABAT, adjunct professor, graduated summa cum laude in 2010 from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy and then completed a fellowship in clinical toxicology and emergency medicine at the Florida Poison Information Center - Jacksonville and UF Health Jacksonville. In 2012, Dr. Wood be- came board certified as a clinical toxicologist by the American Board of Applied Toxicology. Currently, Dr. Wood is a clinical phar- macy specialist in emergency services at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando and remains an on-call toxicologist for the Florida Poison Information Center. He began instructing our stu- dents as a guest lecturer in June and transferred as an adjunct before the summer was over. SUSAN DECK – CAREER ADVANCEMENT Susan Deck, M.S., clinical coordinator, joined the program in Au- gust 2006 and served for almost eight years until her departure in August 2014. After completing her M.S. in Cognitive Behavior Dis- order with an endorsement in autism, she left NSU to become a teacher who works with special-needs children. Her favorite quote is “Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow.” WHITE COAT CEREMONY – CLASS OF 2015 For the first time in Orlando Campus history, the White Coat Cer- emony was celebrated off campus. Thanks to a newly formed committee consisting of six determined students and one honorary staff member, this milestone event was seen through from con- ception to the day of celebration. The iron will, commitment to el- egance, and careful attention to detail of each committee member produced a top-notch event that paved the way for future White Coat Ceremony celebrations. The class of 2015 White Coat Com- mittee members were Michelle Hopkins (chair), Nicole Miller, Erica Lankenau, Molly Meinen, Diana Hernandez, Lauren Rivera, and Iris M. Reynolds (staff member). GRADUATION DAY – CLASS OF 2014 Twenty-seven months of grueling exams, drills, rotations, and ex- tensive medical training all culminated on August 23 in one mo- mentous day. And although graduation is usually known to be a joyous day when graduates celebrate their great accomplish- ments, it can also be joined by bittersweet feelings. Friends made among the students and faculty/staff members are now parted permanently, although social media technology can help them stay in touch. Fifty-seven candidates have taken the PANCE for the first time, and so far all 57 candidates have passed. Storms don’t always have to be a negative event. In fact, Floridians are no strangers to the reorganizing power and growth storms can bring. Of course, being known as the Sunshine State does not exempt Florida from torrential showers—or the ostracizing effects hurricanes generate. In 2014, a storm of a different caliber slammed into NSU’s Orlando Campus—a hurricane of activities and prospects that offered opportunities to students and fac- ulty/staff members alike. In order to capture the events, here are a few snapshots displaying how we weathered the winds of change. The Winds of Change Arrive in Orlando By Iris M. Reynolds, Administrative Assistant PA Orlando