Perspectives Winter/Spring-2017

COLLEGE OF HEALTH CARE SCIENCES • 5 Audiology students have been lobbying their local congressmen to discuss various issues, such as the Veterans Hearing Aid Access and Assistance Act and the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit. “Audiology Students Lobby Congress on Capitol Hill” describes the experiences of students who traveled to Washington, D.C., and local congressional offices to advocate for the issues important to their profession. While audiology students are advocating for issues at the civic level, physician assistant students in Jackson- ville, Florida, are working to address community issues. In “Community FOCUS Hastings,” Kerry L. Whitaker, D.H.Sc., M.S.H.S., PA-C, DFAAPA, program director and assistant professor, discusses a new initiative the Jacksonville Physician Assistant Program is doing to serve Hastings—an underserved community also designated as a medical shortage area. The students and faculty members are working to leverage resources across stakeholder and professional groups to support children in the community and bring health equity to the neighborhood. The article “9Muses and Occupational Therapy: NSU Teams Up with Group to Showcase Artwork” discusses the collaborative work of the NSU Student Occupational Therapy Association and the Mental Health Association of Southeast Florida in providing an artistic outlet that promotes ongoing healing and recovery for those labeled with mental illness. The works of art, which have been exhibited in the NSU Health Professions Division, have provided a forum for conver- sation among students and faculty and staff members about the artistic expressions and messages shared by the artists. Finally, “Awakenings: Horses Enhance Awareness in Anesthesia Students” and “Bird Steals Faculty Member’s Heart” recount the experiences of students and faculty members caring for animals and unexpect- edly receiving more in return than they gave. As Mary Anne Radmacher wrote, “As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.” As the students, faculty and staff members, and alumni reach out into communities to be a light for others, the CHCS hopes others are inspired to join them, their peers, and their colleagues to make a positive difference in the community. n BY TERRY MORROW NELSON, PH.D., ASSISTANT DEAN OF STUDENT AFFAIRS