#GETITRIGHT OB-GYN ACE HARDSHIPS AND HEALING FELLOWSHIP FUN PAGE 4 PAGE 16 PAGE 21 PAGE 24
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
COM SPRING 2021
DR. KIRAN OutlookC. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
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Preregistration is required. To register, call (954) 262-1580. For additional information, visit ahectobacco.com. TABLE of Contents
Features
04 #GETITRIGHT OSTEOPATHIC PROFESSION DEMANDS RESPECT
08 4 0 Years Later KPCOM CELEBRATES INAUGURAL 1981 D.O. CLASS
12 Love What You D.O. 16 BOUNCING BACK FROM ADVERSITY 16 OB-GYN Ace DEPARTMENT CHAIR TRADES TENNIS SKIRTS FOR SURGICAL SCRUBS
Departments
02 HPD COMmuniqué
03 Leadership Message 24 20 Student Perspectives COVID-19 TESTING: EDUCATING OUR COMMUNITY HARDSHIPS AND HEALING WHAT’S THE BEST WAY FOR PHYSICIANS AND PHARMACISTS TO COEXIST? LESSONS FROM A FORMER HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER
24 Alumni Spotlights FELLOWSHIP FUN BROTHERLY BOND WOMEN UNITED 28 32 Alumni News 35 Closing Notes COM OUTLOOK WINS CASE AWARD BERKO AND NOVOTNY NAMED STUDENTS OF THE YEAR INIM RECEIVES $4.4-MILLION COVID GRANT
37 2020 KPCOM Donor Recognition 31 OutlookCOM HPD COMmuniqué
SPRING 2021 • VOLUME 22, NUMBER 1
COM Outlook is produced by The past year has made us all incredibly NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY aware of the importance of health care. It Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine 3200 South University Drive has also enhanced our appreciation for the Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328-2018 hard-working professionals who provide the
osteopathic.nova.edu care we need to not only survive, but thrive. facebook.com/novaosteopathic That’s why I’m so proud that Nova instagram.com/nsukpcom Southeastern University’s (NSU’s) Health
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY Professions Division (HPD) is a leader in George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D. providing the highest quality education President and Chief Executive Officer possible. This fact is characterized by the
HEALTH PROFESSIONS DIVISION skilled graduates of our various programs Frederick Lippman, R.Ph., Ed.D. who are making a positive difference in Chancellor, Special Projects their professions and assuming leadership roles in their respective fields.
Irving Rosenbaum, D.P.A., Ed.D., M.P.A. I recently spoke with several health care leaders in Florida, including Vice President for Operations several of our alumni. I spoke to the director of emergency medicine at one of the largest hospital systems in the state, who is a physician assistant DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE graduate from NSU’s Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences. I 4 Elaine M. Wallace, D.O., M.S. had a conversation with the lead cardiologist of a preeminent cardiac care Dean hospital, who is a graduate of the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic EXECUTIVE EDITOR Medicine. Additionally, I had a discussion with a graduate from the Ron and Scott Colton, B.A., APR Kathy Assaf College of Nursing, who is in charge of nursing operations at Director of Medical Communications and Special Projects another large hospital system serving Florida and other parts of the nation. (954) 262-5147 • [email protected] The conversations I referenced made me reflect back to 1986 when Dr. Morton Terry, founder of Southeastern University of the Health Sciences ART DIRECTOR Susan Tischenkel-Hayward and NSU’s HPD, invited me to join his leadership team. At the time, I was Associate Director/Senior Graphic Designer working as both a health care provider and as a member of the Florida Office of Printing and Publications House of Representatives, where I spent much of my time imploring my COVER AND #GETITRIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS colleagues to help our health care systems reach the highest level and Randy McCafferty availability of care possible. Senior Graphic Designer Office of Printing and Publications Dr. Terry believed in this philosophy from the very beginning, which is why we created Southeastern University of the Health Sciences, which OFFICE OF PRINTING AND PUBLICATIONS Bernadette Bruce, Executive Director became the NSU Health Professions Division when we merged with Nova Sheryl Koral, University Editor University in 1994. After the merger, I had the privilege of working with Alejandro Hernández Padilla, Associate Editor/Copywriter many forward-thinking NSU administrators to expand our health care Ann-Marie Parish, Production Manager programs beyond the Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus. We created additional campuses in Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, Miramar, Orlando, Palm Beach, and Tampa Bay, Florida, as well as in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This Nova Southeastern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges growth gave us the opportunity to offer preeminent health care education to award associate’s, baccalaureate, master’s, educational in a programmatic structure that features some of the finest administrators specialist, doctorate, and professional degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, and faculty members not only in the state of Florida, but in the entire Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Nova Southeastern University. United States. Nova Southeastern University admits students of any race, I am very proud of our many graduates who are offering kind, high- color, sex, age, nondisqualifying disability, religion or creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, military service, quality care to their patients, while also communicating the importance veteran status, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, of wellness and health awareness. privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school, and does not dis- criminate in administration of its educational policies, admis- sions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Any such acts are unacceptable and strictly prohibited by the university. Frederick Lippman, R.Ph., Ed.D. 02-008-21SAT Chancellor, Health Professions Division, Special Projects
2 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE LEADERSHIP Message
“How to Lead When Your Team Is Exhausted—and You Are Too,” an article I recently read by Dr. Merete Wedell-Wedellsborg that was published in the Harvard Business Review in December, helps us understand the unique leadership challenges caused by the second wave of COVID-19. I agree wholeheartedly with Dr. Wedell-Wedellsborg, who had this to say about the second wave of COVID-19, which has left many of us feeling foggy, cranky, and especially fatigued: “While good news about a vaccine is on the horizon, getting through the winter may be the toughest leadership challenge of all.” I think of the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (KPCOM) and Nova Southeastern University (NSU) leadership teams—and especially NSU President Dr. George Hanbury’s Return of the Sharks messages—as great examples of how we Sharks have kept moving forward, together, as a key to our success during this unprecedented time in history. Dr. Wedell-Wedellsborg said we When exhaustion hits us as leaders, Dr. Wedell-Wedellsborg must “Energize everyone, every suggests we best move through the second wave of this pandemic day.” She said we can energize by reexamining our personal level of resilience and that of our team members. She also suggests that we should assess the people on our each other by sharing success team regarding their ability to overcome obstacles, bounce back, and stories, shortening our Zoom recover in the face of challenges. meetings, and allowing honest I believe we need to reach out to others and be willing to lend a helping hand. In the end, Dr. Wedell-Wedellsborg insists that feedback from our teams. enduring during the second COVID-19 wave requires leaders to understand personal resilience. As NSU leaders, it would appear we need to take steps now that will eventually give our university and our colleagues a long-term, competitive advantage. The Return of the Sharks messages, following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and vaccine protocols, are excellent examples. We must ask ourselves, “Are we doing all we can do to enhance outcomes for everyone?” According to Dr. Wedell-Wedellsborg, we need to be compassionate. We must be serious about mental well-being and intervene sooner rather than later. Our employees need more warmth and comfort than they may have received prior to the pandemic. Dr. Elaine Wallace, the KPCOM’s compassionate dean, has been sending the faculty and staff members a warm, encouraging—and sometimes funny—email message every morning since the pandemic began. We must also help each other snap out of self-pity and moodiness. Finally, Dr. Wedell-Wedellsborg said we must “Energize everyone, every day.” She said we can energize each other by sharing success stories, shortening our Zoom meetings, and allowing honest feedback from our teams. In the end, our resilience as NSU Sharks is based on our ability and strength to overcome obstacles like COVID-19 by managing our minds and jointly deciding to take charge of our destiny.
Go Sharks!
Kenneth Johnson, D.O., FACOOG Executive Associate Dean Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine Tampa Bay Regional Campus
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 3 4 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Osteopathic Profession Demands Respect
BY JOEY GARCIA, B.S.
“It takes many good deeds to build a good reputa- Thankfully, the attacks didn’t go unnoticed. The tion, and only one bad one to lose it.” medical community immediately stepped up, with The famous quote above, articulated by Benjamin the AOA and other medical groups, colleges, and Franklin, is one the American Osteopathic Association physicians from both the D.O. and M.D. worlds using (AOA) found itself echoing throughout its social media their social platforms to educate and disprove the false platforms during the month of October 2020 due to statements being made about osteopathic medicine. various attacks on the reputation and legitimacy of the “If the AOA cannot provide a strong voice of osteopathic profession. undying advocacy for the osteopathic profession, Why the need to respond to the negativity? In this then I submit to you that the AOA lacks purpose,” case, the issue affected the profession on a national said Kevin Klauer, D.O., E.J.D., current CEO of the scale, as celebrities, politicians, journalists, and others American Osteopathic Association. “We love our led the charge toward misinformation to the masses— profession, and we will stand ready to defend it along erroneously maligning the image of more than 100,000 with every osteopathic physician and medical student osteopathic physicians and 25 percent of all U.S. at every turn. The AOA accepts this and many other medical students. charges in service of osteopathic medicine.”
Inflammatory Feedback Old Rifts The spark began when former President Donald As controversial as the October backlash was Trump’s acting White House physician Sean Conley, toward the profession, this isn’t the first time D.O.s D.O., was seen as contradictory after briefing the public have been labeled as inferior to their M.D. counterparts. on the President’s COVID-19 condition. Whether it was Because it’s a newer form of medicine that originated in the misleading statements he made, the lack of media 1874, osteopathic physicians have consistently found training, or the sheer fact that he was associated with themselves defending their profession, whether in the Trump administration, people quickly took the medical school or in postgraduate endeavors. chance to critique him and his education, causing an Such was the case with 2007 Dr. Kiran C. Patel influx of misinformation about D.O.s. College of Osteopathic Medicine (KPCOM) alumna Examples that followed include Kanwal Bawa, D.O., who endured firsthand osteopathic • tweets from Ryan Lizza, a political analyst and corres- bias. The snide remarks she occasionally heard over pondent with more than 300,000 followers, saying the years were expected, but not as blatant as when her the profession isn’t sending out its best physicians education was discredited by an M.D. due to the price • celebrities, such as Cher, tweeting that D.O.s are a she charged for a cosmetic procedure. half step above Doogie Howser, M.D., a 1990s sitcom “My status as a physician was in question and centered around a teenage physician discredited completely. How dare he say I wasn’t a real • MSNBC political analyst Rachel Maddow, who doctor,” Bawa remarked. “I would not be treated as a interviewed an osteopathic physician about secondary physician. If anything, D.O.s have more COVID-19 in April 2020, but now questioned why training than their M.D. counterparts.” an osteopathic physician was handling President Bawa referred to the extra 200 hours of training Trump’s care rather than an infectious disease osteopathic students complete in addition to the typical specialist or an internist medical school curriculum. The hours of hard work
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 5 D.O. students put in has resulted in steady upward such as the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association growth in competitive residencies once dominated (FOMA), led by its current president and 2001 KPCOM by M.D.s, along with an increase in applications to alumnus Marc Kaprow, D.O., M.H.A., FACOI. osteopathic medical schools. That’s why it’s important “FOMA took a leadership role by tapping into our to prevent such damaging insults to the profession resources locally and nationally,” Kaprow said. “Joshua from going unnoticed. Lenchus, D.O., immediate past FOMA president, wrote an article featured on KevinMD, a large health care Digital Dilemmas blog, and was instrumental in leveraging contacts “Unfortunately, social media has often been used to across several allopathic (M.D.) institutions to garner repeat disproved and incorrect stereotypes about the support for us. At the same time, I led a collaborative osteopathic profession,” said Joseph Shapiro, director effort to have the AOA House of Delegates pass a of media relations for the American Association of declaratory resolution condemning the mischaracteri- Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM). “This past zations in the media and committing the AOA to year, we’ve seen political differences cause ‘celebrities,’ further grassroots efforts to promote the profession.” and even some journalists, to post inaccurate informa- On a national level, the AOA began its defense tion about D.O.s, causing a negative impression of the campaign by issuing statements about what a D.O. profession. The challenge, and our responsibility, is is and does on its social platforms and website. using our social media reach to get the facts out.” Throughout October, the AOA followed up by holding misrepresenting journalists accountable and retweeting information about osteopathic physicians who are “Seizing control of the conversation making valuable contributions in the field. The AOA and inserting a more positive and also created the hashtags #getitright and #DOproud to accurate narrative has been essential further amplify D.O. voices and debunk myths about the profession. to addressing the unwarranted and “The posture of the AOA, with respect to public ignorant attacks on osteopathic attacks on our profession, is very different today than in medicine and osteopathic physicians.” the past,” Klauer affirmed. “Now, when our profession or our credentials are attacked, we will respond swiftly
—Kevin Klauer with a respectful, but definitive and equally forceful, response. Attack our profession, and you will have your hands full. We don’t hope for a quick media cycle now. To make matters worse, an ill-timed advertisement We amplify, expand, and prolong the conversation by the popular scrubs company Figs showcased a video until we can exchange the incorrect narrative for our with a woman holding the book Medical Terminology accurate narrative.” for Dummies upside down with her badge labeled as a D.O.—not only fueling the fire, but creating even Lessons Learned further bias toward women in medicine. As the field strives to educate people and command “It was portrayed as a classic bimbo moment,” the same respect afforded the M.D. community, Bawa recalled. “Women are already not considered profession leaders caution that it must not lose sight equals in the field. Figs showcased a doctor who of what makes osteopathic medicine so unique. doesn’t understand medicine, so what does that say “Our efforts to prove equivalency may have not about the profession, God forbid, if you are female?” adequately included the message of osteopathic distinc- tiveness, so we must amplify the critical message that the Image Control osteopathic philosophy, osteopathic undergraduate medi- The good news is that osteopathic physicians across cal education, and the practice of osteopathic medicine the country—including Mike Varshavski, D.O., who are truly unique and distinct,” Klauer said. “In other has 4 million Instagram followers and nearly 300,000 words, a platform focused on equivalency, but devoid of Twitter followers—were able to take control of the our distinctiveness, is a pathway toward blending in, conversation in real time, as did local organizations which is an existential threat to the profession.”
6 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE The AACOM is continuing the fight by highlighting Best Hospitals rankings, along with board certification osteopathic colleges across the country, showing how status added to their profiles. choosing an osteopathic education doesn’t just take Currently, 11 percent of U.S. physicians are D.O.s— you on the path to becoming a physician, but how it a percentage that is growing due to the fact that one in leads to every medical specialty—from heart surgeons every four medical students is choosing to attend an and ER doctors to family medicine. AACOM’s commu- osteopathic college. With the rise of social media, more nications team aims to show D.O.s as “physicians with aspiring medical students have access to prominent philosophy” and ingrain that when receiving care, it’s D.O.s serving as ambassadors in the field. not unlikely to find a D.O. leading the charge. KPCOM alumni can be found working on medical Another point for the osteopathic profession to note TV shows as consultants, serving as deans at other is the widening scope of independent practices of nurse D.O. colleges, and holding presidential leadership practitioners and pharmacists. As their medical roles roles. Minorities, such as women and the BIPOC grow—along with the notion that they are equally (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) population, qualified, more available, and less costly—it dilutes continue to gain in exposure. This is evidenced by the the value of a physician. fact that 42 percent of practicing D.O.s are women, “Physicians train to a far greater depth of knowledge while there was an 8.7 percent growth in graduated and skill, literally becoming subject matter experts minorities in 2019. within their fields of training, while secondary “Our response in defense of our profession has practitioners are ill prepared to address uncommon been positively received by the osteopathic community, illness or uncommon presentations,” Kaprow explained. our M.D. colleagues, patients, and osteopathic physi- “We need to do a better job of showing why and when cians,” Klauer emphasized. “Seizing control of the people should expect to see a doctor, and demand that conversation and inserting a more positive and physicians be leading their health care team.” accurate narrative has been essential to addressing Doing a better job also applies in-house toward the the unwarranted and ignorant attacks on osteopathic treatment of women in medicine and minority groups. medicine and osteopathic physicians.” The AOA and AACOM were vocal during the Figs Still, as is often the case, D.O.s themselves are incident, causing the company to not only take down the best advertisement for the profession. How they the offensive advertisement, but to issue a public carry themselves with a patient, act online, and apology with a plan of action on how the situation represent themselves as medical students can have will not happen again. Their platforms have also acted the biggest impact in being positive advocates for upon amplifying more Black voices to further spread the vocation. the profession to other demographics. “The damage done to our profession cannot be undone with a campaign or an article,” Kaprow Maintaining Pressure challenged. “We, as a profession, have the responsi- In a year with many challenges faced, it’s important bility to advance our collective reputations. By going to note the accomplishments the osteopathic field has out into the world, caring for our patients, serving made. The use of Doximity, an online networking our communities, and being accountable for our- service, opened the door in 2020 for AOA-certified selves, we all carry the responsibility for how we are D.O.s to participate in the U.S. News & World Report’s perceived by the public.” o
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 7 BY JOEY GARCIA, B.S.
40 YEARS LATER KPCOM Celebrates Inaugural 1981 D.O. Class
BY JOEY GARCIA, B.S.
As bell-bottoms and disco faded, and MTV began to take charge, there was a sense of excitement in 1981, when 40 individuals embarked on their first year as medical students at Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine (SECOM). Known today as NSU’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (KPCOM), which spans two campuses and graduates nearly 250 physicians per year, it’s hard to imagine that the college began as a small campus in the early 1980s in North Miami Beach, Florida.
8 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Its humble origins can be credited to the vision of the late Morton Terry, D.O., FACOI, whose passion for osteopathic medicine and education led him to establish SECOM and the Health Professions Division. Terry set his plan in motion in 1970, at a time when there were only five osteopathic schools in the country. After experiencing setbacks in linking the college with Florida International University, Terry privately funded the college with a $12-million hospital sale.
Getting a Class While sourcing a building was relatively easy, the work to fill seats with students interested in osteopathic medicine and faculty members eager to teach was more involved than current digital-age practices. Recruit- ment in the early 1980s required more word-of-mouth and physical interaction. “I was in the process of applying to various schools, and my father was friends with Dr. Fred Lippman from his business in the Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale area,” recalled inaugural student Joel Rush, D.O., FAOAO. “It was suggested that I apply. It was all word-of-mouth Teaching a Class and who had knowledge of the various medical schools, In the same way the first-year class came to be, including what they were like and who they were SECOM also saw its faculty and staff members coalesce, looking for. Knowing people associated with the as Lori Dribin, Ph.D., M.S., can proudly attest. Dribin, various schools, such as college advisers, was the key.” who is still a part of the university 40 years later, looks For other students, it was their personal experience back on her first teaching experience as being both with osteopathic physicians that sold them on applying, exciting and anxiety-riddled. as was the case with Bruce Rankin, D.O., CPI, FACOFP. Dribin heard of the opportunity thanks to H. Jay Rankin, who heard of the new school while completing Lyons, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Physiology his degree in chemistry at the University of Florida, and Pharmacology at the time. Lyons took an active went on to meet with an osteopathic physician in approach in recruiting professors, even driving to family medicine in High Springs, Florida, who gave the University of Miami (UM) Department of Physi- him details regarding what the profession entailed. ology to identify someone to teach the neurophysiology “This seemed like a perfect fit for my career goals, portion of the physiology course. Dribin, who was since it offered a chance to treat a person as a whole a research associate at UM, met Lyons at the depart- with a hands-on approach while using all the latest ment hall, where she and a colleague agreed to take medications and technology,” Rankin said. “I was more on the role. than ecstatic when I received my acceptance letter to “I was initially hired as an adjunct professor to the Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine in teach a portion of the winter physiology course for the North Miami Beach for the charter class starting in inaugural class,” said Dribin, who is now a professor of the fall of 1981.” medical education at NSU’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College Through several similar events, the class began to of Allopathic Medicine. “I was somewhat apprehensive, form until the 40 members of the inaugural class came since I had never taken a neurophysiology course. together to begin their medical careers. Several months after teaching myself neurophysiology,
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 9 The SECOM campus, circa 1980s
Bruce Rankin receives his D.O. degree in 1985. Joel Rush (bottom row with beard) participates in Tacky Tie Day with members of the inaugural class.
I was ready to present my first Learning Curves also preaccredited, so we did not medical school lectures to the As with any new enterprise, know until we graduated the first SECOM class.” there was a period of adaptation. first class if we would be in an Dribin was hired a few weeks For students and faculty members accredited program.” later to take on a full-time role as alike, the inaugural class motto The healthy fear was also seen an assistant professor in the became “Do not get too comfort- in the faculty members, many of Department of Anatomy as the able with what’s going on. It will whom had to learn the material sixth basic science faculty probably change tomorrow.” weeks before actually presenting it member. UM was also a catalyst The first semester consisted of to the students. To combat this, to bring Edye Groseclose, Ph.D., the students being taught in a single faculty members became a support to SECOM in 1983 to teach classroom, as the labs weren’t yet system for one another when nucleic acid biochemistry. constructed. Most of the students learning and multitasking as a unit, “I had finished postdoctoral had some postgraduate training or participating in and getting used to work at the UM medical school had been out working—resulting in the admissions process, scheduling, and was looking for a job,” said a bit of an adjustment period. interviews, orientation activities, Groseclose, a current professor “It was exciting to begin and counseling. of medical education at NSU’s medical school. It was also a little Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of scary,” Rankin said. “There were Proud Moments Allopathic Medicine. “I wanted just the first-year professors and Despite first-year adjustments, to stay in South Florida and in the basic campus facilities, which the medical school curriculum academics. That’s when I learned were still under construction. The didn’t take it easy on the class. that the new osteopathic medical anatomy lab was in the previous The students were expected to school in North Miami Beach was dining area of the old osteopathic take exams as scheduled, follow looking for another person to teach hospital, and two new classrooms the white coat dress code—as they biochemistry and that Dr. Lori that would hold 100 students each never knew when a dignitary Dribin, who I had already known the following year were under would visit campus—and to be from UM, was teaching anatomy.” construction. The college was on their best behavior.
10 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE 1981 SECOM grand opening
The rapid growth of SECOM necessitated
the construction of a new building after
the inaugural class began in 1981.
From left: Frances Higginbotham, Ph.D., chair of the anatomy department; Lori Dribin; Gerald Conover, Ph.D., professor; and Curt Higginbotham, Ph.D., made up the SECOM anatomy department in 1983.
Still, the students found time for Groseclose said. “Certainly, the establish an orthopedic residency, fun. Activities included establish- graduation of the charter class and even gave back to his alma ing the yearly Halloween party was a standout memory. Now, it’s mater by establishing an endowed tradition, faculty members tutoring deeply satisfying to note that charter scholarship, which is students on campus weekends with many of the physicians around us provided annually to students who the only double-headed micro- serving as practitioners and faculty are in good academic standing and scope available, creatively using a members were once our students.” demonstrate active participation VHF to connect to a repeater tower or leadership within their class. and make radio calls like a cell Fulfilled Alumni “The college has grown into a phone, or setting off smoke alarms No longer a one-classroom university of interdisciplinary on a cold winter day. According to institution, today’s KPCOM health professions,” Rankin said. Rankin, the SECOM team found proudly boasts two cutting-edge “The campus is amazing compared joy in every possible moment. campuses in Fort Lauderdale/ to our humble beginnings. I have Another aspect former class Davie and Tampa Bay. Similarly, enjoyed returning to the Davie of 1985 students and faculty 40 years later, members of the campus over the years for the members agreed on was how inaugural class continue to alumni meetings and watching close everyone at SECOM was— benchmark career achievements. the progress of our college. Being especially with its founder. Going In 2020, Rankin was involved able to tour the additional campus on college picnics with Terry, who with the initial COVID-19 vaccine in Clearwater and witness all the considered everyone family, and trials in his role as medical director new teaching technology makes having personal walk-in access to at Accel Clinical Research in me proud to be an alumnus. I talk with him, are some of the Deland, Florida. remember Dr. Terry describing noted highlights. Meanwhile, Rush received his vision of the future for us and “The fact that we were small the prestigious Morton Morris, our college. He imagined big. He enough that it was possible to know D.O., J.D., Award for Osteopathic would be proud of what has been the names and a bit about just about Orthopedic Education from the accomplished over the past 40 everyone, student or faculty member, American Osteopathic Academy years since he welcomed us into made the experience special,” of Orthopedics in 2018 for helping the osteopathic profession.” o
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 11 LOVE WHAT YOU D.O.
Bouncing Back from Adversity
BY SCOTT COLTON, B.A., APR
12 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Assad Ali’s journey to becoming a medical student began in earnest more than a decade ago when he traveled to his parents’ birthplace in a remote area of Mirpur, Pakistan, to establish ties to his cultural roots. “One of the life-changing experi- ences I had was working at an orphanage for deaf and blind children. That was the first time I truly witnessed the resilience of the human race,” he said. “These kids had nothing and no one, except for their peers and selfless teachers,” he added. “Yet, every day, when I walked into that dilapidated building with no air conditioning, no proper light fixtures, and cracked blackboards, I never saw anything but smiling faces. It was a moment of clarity.
If people were capable of finding From left: Assad Ali; mom Waheeda Ali; brother Bilal Ali, a third-year student at Geisinger Commonwealth light in such dire circumstances, School of Medicine in Scranton, Pennsylvania; and dad Ali Shahid, a professional engineer resiliency is truly embedded in each and every one of us.” into one thing, and if that one always scared that something As the years passed and various thing didn’t happen, I would might set off an inflammation obstacles emerged, Ali worked hard lose my identity,” he explained. cascade and land me in the hospital to continually replenish his own “I felt like all my efforts to get at any time,” he explained. well of resiliency. into medical school were failing, A few years later, Ali was beset and it was futile to continue,” he by another malady. “I woke up with Emotional Turbulence added. “As a result, I applied for the worst headache of my life. I Ali was born in Honolulu, almost every type of nonmedical got up to turn the light on, but I Hawaii, but spent the majority job, including a position as a couldn’t walk in a straight line of his childhood growing up in financial analyst for health because I felt so dizzy and delirious. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. care equity companies. I even The next thing I recall was waking Initially, the biggest influences considered law school and busi- up in the hospital to my dad on his career aspirations were ness school. dabbing ice-cold rags on my his mother, Waheeda Ali, M.D., While grappling with these forehead and my mom anxiously a successful internal medicine weighty mental hurdles, how- holding my hand,” he recalled. practitioner for more than 30 ever, a sudden barrage of “After an extensive workup—and years, as well as his 2011 trip to physical ailments presented seeing confounding looks on her birthplace. an additional challenge. several doctors’ faces—I was By the time he earned a B.S. diagnosed with a rare and severe in Biology from West Chester Summoning Strength case of Legionella pneumonia.” University in Pennsylvania in In 2014, Ali was diagnosed with Ali forged ahead, inspired 2014, however, Ali said he felt ulcerative colitis, a painful further by a Kobe Bryant video disenfranchised from his ultimate inflammatory bowel disease that called “Dear Basketball” he watched goal. “I had about given up on causes irritation and ulcers in the on his cell phone in December 2015. my childhood aspirations. I had lining of the large intestine. “I’ve “This video was a love letter written gotten to a point in my life where been on and off medications of to the game of basketball in his final I felt I was throwing my weight varying intensity for years, but I’m season. The line that stuck out to me
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 13 LOVE WHAT YOU D.O.
Left: Ali comforts an intellectually handicapped student at a school for disabled orphans during his December 2011 trip to Mirpur, Pakistan.
Above: From left: Assad Ali, mom Waheeda Ali, and brother Bilal Ali keep medicine all in the family.
circumstances, but also the value of having not only a competent provider, but an empathetic one.” In August 2019, Ali’s hard work paid off when he joined the first-year class at NSU’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (KPCOM)— just as another medical flare-up threatened to disrupt his hard- won momentum. “I had just come off a long regimen of steroids, which is not easy on the body. I had experienced An inspirational video from the late basketball great Kobe Bryant helped Ali shift his focus back to becoming a physician. the full gamut of side effects, and starting medical school was an the most was, ‘…and this is what anesthesia research coordinator at added stress that definitely took its you do when someone makes you the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in toll on my body,” he recalled. “I feel as alive as you’ve made me feel,’” Cleveland, Ohio. These experiences, had fought worse odds before, so I Ali said. coupled with coping with his flipped the switch and went full “That’s when I realized that none various health issues, further mamba mode—a shout-out to of the alternate paths I had explored solidified his desire to become a Bryant. However, one month into made me feel as alive as medicine. compassionate healer. my first year as a KPCOM student, That’s when I decided I was going “I was told as a young child that I had a serious infusion reaction to to go back to school, pursue my the key to life is figuring out people my medication.” master’s degree with a renewed and caring for others. So it was It proved to be an ill-timed sense of purpose, and become a fitting for me to pursue this setback for Ali, who was running healer,” added Ali, who earned his profession, as helping someone for class president and was Master of Science in Biomedical heal is a very sacred duty and skill,” scheduled to give a speech to the Science in 2017 from the Robert he explained. “I think my experi- class that day. “I remember being Wood Johnson Medical School in ence with my personal health has in the hospital as they were setting New Brunswick, New Jersey. taught me many things, most of up my IV. I was reading my speech which revolve around the impor- to the nurses to rehearse. Mid- Forging Forward tance of empathy. I have not only speech, my breathing became Ali spent the next two years come to understand the pain, labored and my heart rate skyrock- working as a research fellow and fear, and uncertainty of such eted. I honestly thought that was it;
14 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE I wasn’t going to be walking out of explained. “The demand was way PASSION FOR PROCURO that center the same as I came in,” higher than my supply. That’s he admitted. when Greg and I talked about Ali’s leadership endeavors included “Eventually, I forfeited the starting an initiative in regard to launching a nonprofit organization, election,” he added. “And when I acquiring and distributing PPE to ProCuro Empowered Healthcare was ready and able, I was dis- local South Florida hospitals as Solutions (ProCuro Health), to charged from the hospital.” cases began to surge.” address disparities in social justice, After doing some research, health care access, and education. Leadership at Last Kunis forwarded Ali some “After gaining some leadership Although he was forced to information about a new experience with Entrepreneurs in abandon his inaugural run for COVID-related initiative at the Healthcare and the SGA, I decided to class president, Ali rebounded. In Philadelphia College of Osteo- combine my abilities with like-minded October 2019, he worked with Ryan pathic Medicine. “I met with students and create an organization Nash, Josh Stephens, Praveen my newly elected SGA team in that could impact local communities. Prabhu, and several other KPCOM Fort Lauderdale/Davie, as well In August 2020, I, along with fellow peers to establish the NSU Health as with the Tampa Bay Regional second-year students Michael Kling, Professions Division (HPD) organi- Campus Executive Board, and Shanice Walcott, and Sohni Pathan, zation Entrepreneurs in Healthcare we fleshed out what eventually mobilized efforts to increase voter (EIH), which he served as founding became the Med Students turnout amongst patients, health president of in its inaugural year. Against COVID-19 initiative. care workers, and those who were Since its inception, EIH has Thanks to the tremendous help afraid of contracting COVID-19 due become one of the top HPD of our 2023 executive boards to their preexisting conditions if they interest groups and has provided and our class board, we were able decided to venture to the polls. We invaluable opportunities and to raise approximately $20,000,” have since fostered relationships with inspiration for students in various he said. major hospital networks and sit in on graduate programs. “Additionally, through the great leadership meetings to discuss the In his second year as a KPCOM work of our treasurers, I was able state of our communities.” student in the summer of 2020, to help compile a funds request Ali’s resilience was again rewarded from HPD PanSGA for another when he became president-elect $25,000 to be donated to our cause,” of the college’s Student Govern- he added. “This resulted in large ment Association (SGA) Executive volumes of PPE being distributed Board at the Fort Lauderdale/ to our local hospitals, including Davie Campus. Cleveland Clinic in Weston, When the COVID-19 pandemic Florida—a hospital I was able to burgeoned in the spring of 2020, create a close relationship with as local personal protective equip- EIH president.” ment (PPE) shortages led Ali Although Ali won’t be graduat- and his KPCOM roommate, ing from the college until 2023, second-year student Greg Kunis, he’s already laid the groundwork to discuss possible solutions. At for leaving an indelible legacy. the time, Ali was about to return “For me, the goal has always been home after the university transi- creating a legacy—something that tioned from on-campus to virtual stays with people long past our teaching modalities, so his mother departure from this earth,” he sent him several masks to wear. explained. “Through leadership “Since my immune system was opportunities, I believe we find less than ideal, I needed to keep a our voice. I’ve tried to turn my few masks. However, I knew other KPCOM leadership experiences people needed them, so I handed into a proverbial mirror—one that out most of what I had,” he is revealing myself to myself.” o
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 15 OB-GYN ACE
16 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE DEPARTMENT CHAIR TRADES TENNIS SKIRTS FOR SURGICAL SCRUBS
BY SCOTT COLTON, B.A., APR
For a portion of her life, Renee “Once we were living in South troubled her. “Being on the tennis B. Alexis, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., Florida, I played tennis pretty tour was a long, grueling, expen- FACOG, chair and associate profes- much every day,” said Alexis, sive—and oftentimes lonely— sor of the Department of Obstetrics whose on-court skills were rapidly journey,” she noted. “There was and Gynecology at NSU’s Dr. Kiran gaining notice. a six-month stretch where I C. Patel College of Osteopathic wasn’t performing well, and I Medicine (KPCOM), dealt with Prodigious Prowess questioned how much I really opposing ambitions—pursuing a By the time she was 16, Alexis wanted to pursue professional career as a professional tennis was offered a two-year tennis schol- tennis. Although I loved tennis, player or becoming a physician. arship to what was then called and still do, I knew my first Alexis, whose parents are Broward Community College in love was medicine and becoming Jamaican and Trinidadian Davie, Florida. “Since I was only 16 a physician.” immigrants, was born in Washing- when I went to college, my parents ton, D.C., becoming the fifth of wanted me to stay close to home,” Focus Shift five children. Because she was born said Alexis, who quickly rose to No. While continuing to play on during her father’s last year of 2 in Florida in the girls’ 16 division. the professional tour, Alexis was medical school, Alexis traveled After earning her Associate of already shifting into a medical the globe throughout the next Science degree in Biology in 1987, mindset, which culminated when decade as her father advanced his Alexis accepted a tennis scholar- she took the Medical College medical career. ship to Jacksonville University in “Shortly after I was born, I Florida. By the time she earned her went to Jamaica, where I spent my Bachelor of Science degree in 1989, early years living with my maternal however, Alexis was at a crossroads. grandmother,” said Alexis, whose Should she continue her education family moved to Jamaica in the and pursue a medical career or put mid-1970s before relocating to those plans on hold to take a stab at St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin competing on the professional Islands in 1978. I took my first tennis tour? tennis lesson in St. Thomas at the “When I graduated, I was 20 age of nine, and so began my love years old. So, with the advice of my for tennis.” parents, I made the decision to play Although tennis would remain professional tennis, since I was a an essential part of her teenage pretty good player,” Alexis said. “I years, it truly gained in importance traveled throughout Florida, the when her family relocated to South United States, and other countries Florida a few years later, which for the next two-and-a-half years.” Renee Alexis at a Florida allowed Alexis to play on the high While Alexis enjoyed compet- sectional junior tourna- ment in the mid-1980s in school tennis team at American ing on the Women’s Tennis Associ- Boca Raton, Florida Heritage High School in Plantation. ation tour, a lingering doubt
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 17 OB-GYN ACE
Above: Family portrait (from left): Sophia Solomon, Olivia Solomon, Renee Alexis, and Anthony Solomon, Jr.
“I really can’t pinpoint a discussion or a defining moment when I decided to become a physician. It was what I call a natural evolution,” she added. “I have no doubt that my father being a successful physician had an impact on me becoming a doctor. Seeing him taking care of patients, and the joy it brought him, was an influencing factor.”
Female-Centric Care During her first two years of Admission Test and performed the OB-GYN practice of her father medical school, Alexis planned to well enough to apply to medical Winston Alexis, M.D., who pursue a specialty other than school. “I was accepted to the currently serves as an assistant OB-GYN. All that changed, University of Maryland School professor in the KPCOM’s however, when she embarked on of Medicine in 1992, which Women’s Health Center. her clinical rotations. “I had my ended my professional tennis “There was never an expecta- heart set on becoming a pediatri- career and began my lifelong tion from my parents to become cian,” she recalled “But, as I journey of being a physician,” a physician like my dad. We were progressed through my clinical she said. just expected to attend college years, I realized I wanted to do a After receiving her Doctor of and do our best. We were a sports- surgical specialty, and I found that Medicine (M.D.) degree in 1996, oriented family, as my father played women’s health intrigued me.” Alexis started her obstetrics and professional soccer in his younger After working in her father’s gynecology (OB-GYN) residency years, and my brother went on to practice for more than a year, at the University of Miami/Jackson play professional golf,” explained Alexis returned to the academic Memorial Hospital, which she Alexis, who nonetheless followed realm thanks to the KPCOM completed in 2000. She then joined in her father’s footsteps. students who rotated through
18 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE “I enjoy serving as a mentor to many of the medical students who are interested in pursuing a career in obstetrics and gynecology.” —Renee Alexis
Above: Alexis (right) interacts with a patient in 2015.
Left: Celebrating her graduation from the University of Maryland School of Medicine are dad Winston Alexis, Renee Alexis, mom Cecille Alexis, and husband Anthony Solomon, Jr.
of the medical students who are interested in pursuing a career in obstetrics and gynecology.”
Doubles Partner Another aspect Alexis enjoys is working closely with her father, who joined the college after he closed his practice. “It is truly an her father’s practice. “I truly became Department of OB-GYN awesome experience working with enjoyed teaching and missed it chair, which includes overseeing my father at both NSU and at when I entered private practice,” the physician team at NSU’s Broward Health Medical Center,” she admitted. Women’s Health Center and Alexis said. “Due to my student interactions, playing an active role in providing “My dad still actively practices Dr. Kenneth Johnson (current compassionate care to the patients OB-GYN, and we perform surgery executive associate dean at the who rely on the center’s services. together weekly. The advantage KPCOM’s Tampa Bay Regional During this time, Alexis also of working with him is that he Campus) approached me, as he was managed to augment her teaching imparts invaluable knowledge looking for a partner,” she said. and business savvy by earning from his extensive training,” “It was a match made in heaven— M.P.H. and M.B.A. degrees. explained Alexis, who continues having both an awesome partner in “Currently, I am actively to play tennis several times a week. Dr. Johnson and being involved in involved in teaching our future “I have learned many old teaching our future physicians.” doctors about women’s health in surgical techniques from him that Alexis, who joined the college times of sickness, health, and have proven to be critical in in September 2001 as a clinical pregnancy,” Alexis said. “I am difficult surgical cases. He also faculty member, was named codirector of the KPCOM’s learns some of the newer tech- assistant professor in May 2003 Women’s Health course that is niques from me, which keeps him and became an associate professor taken by our second-year students. abreast of technology that is forever in April 2010. In August 2019, she I enjoy serving as a mentor to many changing in the medical field.” o
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 19 STUDENT Perspectives COVID-19 Testing: Educating Our Community
BY VANIA ARBOLEDA
test results, I learned that my immunology and educating attitude and disposition when patients, helped me remember the delivering news and interacting compassionate side of medicine. with people could change a person’s Trying to create a fun, but clear, day. Likewise, their concerns when analogy to aid patient understand- receiving a positive COVID-19 ing of the testing process was my test result would affect my day. top priority. Teaching, supporting, I spent as much time as possible and providing peace of mind to answering questions and providing students, teachers, staff members, Educators are the future of this clarity with the physicians’ help. bus drivers, and cleaning ladies country, and their health should I was able to volunteer at two of was truly humbling. be a priority. the three testing sites in Miami- This experience solidified the When I heard that teachers and Dade, and in both cases, the idea that educating community students would be returning to physicians and the nurses worked members about their health and class this semester, I was worried. cohesively to provide excellent providing them with facts can That’s why I decided to get medical care. also improve their health. Seeing involved and help protect them Due to this experience, I people’s faces after telling them as much as a first-year medical have learned about patient care, they had tested negative for student could by participating physician-patient interactions, COVID-19 and watching them in the Miami-Dade County and teamwork. Medical students cry, smile, or even scream Public Schools rapid COVID-19 need extracurricular activities with excitement, is why I chose testing program. that remind them of the human- medicine—to positively impact After volunteering for more istic side of medicine. my community’s health. o than 60 hours, I realized people Applying the knowledge of Vania Arboleda is a first-year PERSPECTIVES fear what they do not understand. my first-year classes, such as KPCOM student. Patients would come in with conflicting information from many sources—from the news, STUDENT Google, their friends and family, and other details obtained from social media. My role had two responsibilities: first to explain what a rapid antibody test was and how it was performed, then to explain what the results meant. The more challenging task was to deliver the test results. From explaining the differences between an antibody and antigen, to pro- viding positive news of negative
20 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Hardships and Healing
BY ANDREW CASANOVA
Hardships prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny. It takes tenacity, but when the goals you have in mind hold meaning, nothing can stop you. My struggles with racism and getting into medical school are two examples. Helping a friend who suffered a life-changing injury is another. My undergraduate studies were riddled with racism. One specific episode knocked me off my track to becoming a physician due to the harshness and prejudice I experi- enced. My initial meeting with an academic adviser began with an uninterested helper and ended with me being laughed at and told, “You will never be a doctor. Try something else.” had just, ironically, taken my first medical team member who I was not the only student of exam on the spine and back when came to see him to better under- color who was put down by this I got a call that one of my best stand his prognosis and any adviser. It hurt, but I persevered friends had gotten into a serious hope of recovery. and eventually achieved my goal. motorcycle accident. He had fallen He has since been told he has When I got into medical school, I off a ramp and into a ditch at high little to no chance of walking messaged that adviser and spoke speeds, leading to several fractures again, but I continue to help him from a place of betterment, not throughout, an amputated left leg, in his recovery, both mentally hatred, with a focus on showing and a complete spinal-cord tear at and physically. The experience her the error of her ways to T4—a life-changing injury for him was traumatic for everyone hopefully better the experience and everyone close to him. I tried involved, but I see what good for other future doctors. to reach out to the hospital, but someone who cares can do, and My first semester at the Dr. Kiran was left in the dark for days. the hope you can imbue in others C. Patel College of Osteopathic Before flying to the hospital, through your hard work, knowl- Medicine (KPCOM) was side- I researched everything on edge, and love. tracked by COVID-19, just like spinal-cord injuries. I also pre- Through these experiences, every other first-year student in pared questions to ask at the I hope I can motivate others to 2020. The semester was off to a hospital to gain a better under- follow their dreams and not only rough start, as thoughts of doubt standing of the situation and act ignore the hate, but also use the and impostor syndrome circulated as an advocate for his friends and hardships that will surely come throughout every lecture I attended. family, who were confused and as fuel toward your extraordi- Was I up to the challenge of scared by the accident and lack nary destination. o becoming a doctor? of straight answers from the
My desire was rekindled while I hospital. I stayed by my friend’s Andrew Casanova is a first-year was in my Gross Anatomy class. I side, speaking with every KPCOM student.
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 21 STUDENT Perspectives What’s the Best Way for Physicians and Pharmacists to Coexist?
KAWTHER ELSOURI, M.S.
This reality benefits from off pharmacists constantly, espe- physicians who emphasize cially if the pharmacist had a collaboration with pharmacists recommendation on a different in prescribing medication. It also drug therapy. Competitiveness and saves patients from having to ego have the potential to take over search a multitude of pharmacies and be extremely destructive to before finding one that accepts patients’ lives. their insurance, has the drug their This experience embedded the physician wants them to be on, importance of teamwork and com- and has it at an affordable price. munication in every aspect of my The result of this reality can be life. No single health care worker, In 2013, I started working as lethal to disease management. be it a physician or a pharmacist, a retail pharmacy technician. Many trends in health care point has all the answers to meet patient Over the next six years, I to the need for increased collabo- needs. Proper collaboration, or worked alongside pharmacists, ration between pharmacists and team-based care, is an essential interacted daily with health physicians. These include the aspect of patient care. This insurance companies and presence of considerable drug- approach requires a new perspec- providers, and helped patients related morbidity and mortality, tive about the clinical leadership access their medications. and the rapid advancements in and duties a physician must Because of this experience, I medicine and treatments. take into consideration. It is our began to understand the culture As future physicians, we must collective obligation to ensure all between health care workers. The also remember it is simply not these elements of care are coordi- importance of this relationship enough to prescribe a medication nated for our patient’s benefit.o
PERSPECTIVES cannot be understated, since some we feel will be helpful to our health care workers often neglect patients. We must ensure the Kawther Elsouri is a first-year KPCOM student. the important details that go into patient has access to and can filling a medication, such as the afford the medication. What good STUDENT availability, access, and affordabil- are the skills we learn if our ity of prescriptions. patients cannot benefit from them? In this gap between diagnosing Unfortunately, as a pharmacy a patient and treating the ailment, technician, I saw physicians brush pharmacists and pharmacy technicians step in and offer a helpful hand. They have a better understanding of the current world of pharmaceuticals— from prices to the latest drugs with increased efficacy.
22 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Lessons from a Former High School Teacher
BY OMAR CADENAS
Before entering medical school, I worked as a middle/high school science teacher at a charter school in Hialeah, Florida. When I started, I had no idea what to expect. I thought my experience as a teaching assistant in college would be enough to prepare me for this challenge before I entered medical school. I was so wrong. I was completely out of my element due to not having any experience teaching this age group. It was naive of me to expect these students to respect me and take their education seriously. On top of that, I was constantly mistaken as a student by other teachers and students who had not met me yet. I still remember how embarrassed I felt when the school’s vice principal laughed when I wore the uniform the teachers were required to wear—a white oxford with the school’s logo, along with dark slacks and brown dress shoes. She probably thought a student was playing a prank when I walked past her office to clock in. better life for their children. I understood how they felt, I considered quitting three days after I started, because I also came from immigrant parents who did because it was impossible to teach when no one took the same. I knew how difficult it was to make friends me seriously. But I was determined to finish the year. and learn English in a new country, since I lived I knew this was only a temporary job before I started through those same experiences. medical school. I knew I would face similar challenges I am a second-year medical student now, and that in the future from patients and attending physicians experience is long behind me. I learned so much about who might not take me seriously because I looked “too myself during my short time as a teacher. My students young for the part.” It became a personal goal to finish taught me that I can’t assume trust and respect when the year. If I could handle teaching middle/high school coming into a new situation. I will still need to earn students, I could handle anything. the trust and respect of my patients and attending As time went on, and the students became more doctors, even though I will have the title of physician. comfortable seeing me every day, I started to gain their I was also happy I was able to inspire many students respect and trust. They confided in me, and some even at the school where I taught. Most importantly, I never trusted me enough to share personal hardships and gave up on myself and learned to not quit—even in the struggles they faced at home. situations I am not comfortable in. o Many of these students were born to immigrant parents who came to the United States to provide a Omar Cadenas is a second-year KPCOM student.
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 23 ALUMNI Spotlights FELLOWSHIP I FUN Inquisitive Alumna Savors Grey’s Anatomy Stint
BY SCOTT COLTON, B.A., APR
While she was in the midst of doing a general surgery residency last year at the University of Florida College of Medicine—Jacksonville, 2016 alumna Carisa R. Champion, D.O., J.D., M.P.H., discovered she was about to embark on the experience of a lifetime—a six-month stint as a Grey’s Anatomy surgical communi- cations fellow in Los Angeles, California. Champion, who is passionate about medicine, law, and public health, had been looking for an opportunity to combine these interests with her love of the arts. “I had written to several medical shows over the last few years, looking for opportunities to help ensure medical accuracy, and had not gotten much traction. I inquired because, ever since I was little, I was creative and drawn to the arts,” she explained. “When I decided to go the medical route, I felt like I shoved the creative part of me to the side to focus on SPOTLIGHTS the science,” she added. “Over the last few years of residency, I had been wanting a way to have a creative
ALUMNI outlet and honor my roots in arts and performing.” Champion points to the realistic prosthetics used to simulate what an In early 2020, Champion’s dream of melding her actual surgery looks like. myriad interests took shape when she learned that the long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy was she said. “I figured if I could work with TV shows to looking for a surgical resident to do a fellowship, which tell medically accurate stories, I could have a much involves working on the show for a specific time frame greater impact on public health.” to shed light on current events from the perspective of a surgical resident. SENSATIONALLY SURREAL To her delight, Champion applied with her residency Champion, who completed her six-month fellow- program’s blessing and soon found herself relocating to ship in mid-January, said the experience was every- Los Angeles as the selected fellow. “Patients don’t read thing she expected it to be—and more. “I am still research journals for their medical information, they processing this whirlwind and unreal experience,” watch TV medical dramas and do Google searches,” she admitted. “On my first day, I met all the writers,
24 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE I
as well as showrunner Krista Vernoff and Ellen Pompeo, who plays Meredith Grey. “I don’t really get starstruck, but it was pretty cool to talk with them. Everyone was really welcoming and wanting to hear my stories about working in a hospital during the first COVID wave.” In her role as the show’s surgical communications fellow, Champion was involved in a range of interesting aspects, including ensuring the medical plotlines were realistic. “I collaborated with three other physicians who work full time for Grey’s Anatomy, as well as a researcher. On the production side, I worked with a nurse and her assistant, as well as another doctor,” she explained. “I also worked in the writers’ room every day, which included me and 18 others, to provide episode ideas and pitch storylines,” she added. “On the production side, I learned about the various aspects of props, coordination, special effects, and set design. Addition- ally, when on set, we helped show the actors how to deliver their lines and how to perform various surgeries and procedures.” Because the 17th season of Grey’s Anatomy focuses on life in the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital Above: Champion, with production staffer and actor Payton Silver, during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that the poses with some of the prosthetic faces used in the filming process. storylines were as authentic as possible doubled the Top: During her six-month Grey’s Anatomy fellowship, Champion importance of the work Champion and her cohorts made numerous on-camera appearances. were doing. (continued on page 26)
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 25 ALUMNI Spotlights
Champion (right) in a scene with Ellen Pompeo, who plays the show’s main character Meredith Grey.
TYPICAL DAY While on set, the majority of the magic Champion HIGHLIGHTING helped craft took place in a single room. “I spent most of my time in the writers’ room, which starts with all of HUMAN TRAFFICKING us catching up,” she explained. “We then reviewed the by carisa r. champion episode(s) we were writing that day. It generally takes a One important aspect for me in the timing of the few weeks to write an episode—from pitching prelimi- fellowship was that in the previous season, Grey’s nary stories to getting it in production—and then Anatomy introduced a human trafficking storyline. about two weeks to shoot each episode.” I used to work with anti-trafficking organizations, According to Champion, any medical story on so I really wanted to capitalize on this and get accurate representations about what the statistics Grey’s Anatomy is based on an actual case that is of trafficking show. It is vital for the medical reported in medical literature and/or by medical community to be aware that almost 90 percent experts. Because many of the storylines involve rare of traffic victims come into contact with a doctor SPOTLIGHTS and interesting cases, Champion and the writing while they are being trafficked, and the vast team met with medical experts in these areas to ensure majority are not identified. each episode was portrayed as accurately as possible. ALUMNI The storyline portrayed a resident identifying a “There were always multiple episodes in some stage traffic victim and not being believed, which is of production at any given time. Throughout each day, something that happened to me. Early in my if a new version of a script came through, I edited the residency, I thought a woman was being trafficked, medical portions of the script, which go through many but others didn’t think that was the case. By the revisions,” she explained. “We also created multiple time I obtained some support for her, the woman types of documentation that summarized the different disappeared from the hospital, and all her docu- medical issues we were writing about for the cast and mentation turned out to have fake addresses and crew to base their work on.” phone numbers. I never saw her again. Some of the most enjoyable experiences Champion On this season of Grey’s Anatomy, we showed the had involved the days she spent participating in table doctor getting to see his patient again and help reads with the actors as they reviewed scripts before rescue her. It was a beautiful way to help rewrite they were finalized. “Something I didn’t realize when that ending. I began the fellowship is that many of the storylines
26 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE are kept secret from the cast and crew until they are shot,” she said. “The writers and producers are the only ones who know, so I saw the actors react sponta- neously at these table reads. There have been several surprises on the show this season, so it was fun to watch them unfold.” “EXTRA” EXCITEMENT Perhaps the most memorable aspect of being a Grey’s Anatomy fellow was the opportunity it provided Champion to serve as an extra—playing a nurse or a physician—in several scenes throughout the season. Champion takes a selfie with Kathy C. An, a real-life scrub nurse who “One episode involved a surgery on a patient’s liver plays surgical nurse Bokhee in Grey’s Anatomy. and the simultaneous delivery of her premature baby. It’s funny to see people who make being a doctor so Grey’s Anatomy, as I was able to interact with the believable be so grossed out by prosthetics like blood cast and crew as we taught each other about medicine and burned tissue,” she laughed. “Another scene was and production.” with me, Linda Klein, and Ellen. I got to know Ellen a little bit in between takes and hear about her back- FULFILLING FUTURE ground. She was really nice, and it was fun getting to When her Grey’s Anatomy fellowship concluded in talk and act with Meredith Grey.” mid-January, Champion returned to her surgical Champion also enjoyed teaching the actors how to residency, which she plans to complete in 2022. She is properly say challenging medical terminology, how to also working with a research company in Boston, cut through a patient’s prosthetic burn, place intraosse- Massachusetts, that helped get bamlanivimab—one of ous access, and get a patient ready for the operating the inaugural COVID-19 treatments—approved by the room. “Everyone was really nice and cracking me up Food and Drug Administration. “We are working on a all day,” she recalled. “I also learned how long a lot of COVID-19 research, as well as other medications, 30-second scene can take to capture. The challenging so I have really enjoyed getting to be a part of telling part was learning how to play a nurse and the intrica- stories from the frontlines of COVID-19 in my fellow- cies of making that look real.” ship, while also working toward curing it.” Not surprisingly, Champion relished her opportuni- Post-residency, Champion plans to continue working ties to be on camera, due to the fast-paced medical in surgery and public health—combining research, scenarios. “Because the set is so realistic, I felt like I policy, and academics. “I would love to stay involved was back in the trauma bay or operating room, ready in the media side as well and continue to cultivate that to spring into action,” she said. “I loved being part of creative blend,” she concluded. o
SPOTLIGHTING OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIANS During her Grey’s Anatomy fellowship, Champion convinced the writers to incorporate a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) into the show, which was accomplished when Champion played herself in an episode wearing a D.O. nametag. That win for the profession grew in significance when Grey’s Anatomy decided to add a recurring character this season who plays a D.O. surgical intern. (See COM Outlook article on page 4 for additional details related to recent D.O. bias.)
“I explained to the writers and the production staff what D.O.s do, dis- cussed our value to the medical community, and addressed how impor- tant it was to raise awareness of the osteopathic profession,” Champion said. “The new character is the first in the show’s history to portray a D.O., so I am very proud of that.”
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 27 ALUMNI Spotlights
Brotherly Bond FRATERNAL ALUMNI REVEL IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL KINSHIP
BY SCOTT COLTON, B.A., APR SPOTLIGHTS
Throughout the annals of How did the Rouhizads, who friends,” said Rayan Rouhizad. ALUMNI history, much has been written were born in different states but “Nason even tagged along for my about the often-combustible spent their formative years first date with my high school relationships that exist between growing up in Coral Springs, sweetheart Vilma, who later competitive siblings. That’s not Florida, manage to sidestep sibling became my wife. We make it a the case, however, for Rayan A. rivalry and embrace true brother- point to stay close and take care Rouhizad, D.O. (’04) and Nason D. hood, even though they both of each other.” Rouhizad, D.O., M.P.H., M.S., M.S. possessed a desire to become The brothers also share interests (’15)—who graduated from the physicians at an early age? that extend far beyond medicine, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of “We’ve always been close, and such as cars, vinyl albums, and Osteopathic Medicine 11 years even as a 16-year-old, I’d bring grilling. Another aspect of familial apart and now work at the same my 10-year-old brother along with affinity Nason Rouhizad points to hospital in Marietta, Georgia. me when I would hang out with is a healthy “respect and a humble
28 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE degree of admiration for each other,” he explained. “I respect what he does, and I know he feels the same way. Also, we care about what we do, which shows in our respective work.”
Serving Others Because they grew up in a house- hold steeped in the Baha’i Faith, the Rouhizad brothers knew their lives would be devoted to helping others. “From a young age, I knew I wanted to choose a profession that had an impact on other people’s lives,” Nason Rouhizad said. “The Baha’i Faith instilled in us one of its major tenets: to serve. What better way to serve humanity and have an impact than to learn and practice the science of medicine?” Interestingly, although they were inspired to lives of service, no one in their family had any career connec- tion to the health care field. “I was the first in my family to become a physician, and our father was the only one to go to college of his six siblings,” Rayan Rouhizad noted. “Our father came here as an immi- grant from Iran and always empha- sized the importance of taking full advantage of the education this great country has to offer.” “Because my brother was the first in our family to earn a doctorate, I witnessed everything firsthand— from his taking the MCATs to his last shift as a resident when I visited him at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami, Florida. I didn’t exactly follow in his footsteps, but I have stumbled upon them,” Nason Top: Sibling trio (from left): Rayan, Nason, and Sara Rouhizad
Rouhizad joked. “Since then, at Above: The Rouhizad brothers enjoy a fun afternoon in Atlanta, Georgia, with Rayan’s sons. least four other family members have become physicians.”
(continued on page 30)
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 29 ALUMNI Spotlights
residency in 2018 at Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah, Florida. The divergence continued when Rayan Rouhizad began working at Wellstar Kennestone in 2008, while Nason Rouhizad obtained three master’s degrees before, during, and after pursuing his D.O. degree.
Southern Charm What convinced the Rouhizads to relocate to Georgia, albeit 10 years apart, was a confluence of events. “Atlanta was the perfect mix of weather and outdoors, while still being a hip and fun place to live. I also love the fast-paced, high-acuity, high-volume environment Kennestone has to offer,” added the Wellstar Kennestone emergency medicine residency faculty member. Nason Rouhizad’s decision to join his brother in The Peach State occurred after he did a one-month elective rotation in Kennestone’s emergency depart- ment. “I remember having to do about 14 shifts that month—more than my attending brother was work- ing—so it was mostly an opportunity for us to hang out at work and at home,” he explained. “During that month, I had a great time learning, engaging with the medical staff, and providing care to the local community. Everyone was friendly and helpful—southern-charm style,” added Nason Rouhizad, who joined the Kennestone team in 2018 Top: Nason and Paola Rouhizad with their daughters Leila and Ariana and works as a hospitalist and internal medicine Bottom: Rayan Rouhizad with sons Julian, Alexander, and Sebastian, and wife Vilma teaching faculty member. “We would often visit my brother in Georgia for the holidays, but when my Similar Yet Different parents moved up here a few years ago, that prompted
SPOTLIGHTS Although their careers eventually led them to their me to really consider Kennestone as a career choice.” current positions at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center in Marietta, Georgia, the paths they Advantageous Interactions
ALUMNI took to reach their geographical and vocational Because the brothers truly enjoy each other’s com- destinations were eerily similar, yet also subtly pany, working at the same hospital has been the different. In addition to earning their Doctor of proverbial gift that keeps on giving. “We see each other Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degrees at Nova often, even during the pandemic, at work and in our Southeastern University, both brothers received ‘bubble’ at home,” Nason Rouhizad said. “We also get to their bachelor’s degrees in zoology from the Uni- mess with the residents about who is tougher (him) versity of Florida, with Rayan Rouhizad graduating and who is cooler (me).” in 2000 and Nason Rouhizad in 2008. “We see each other all the time, and I make him get However, their paths also diverged, with Rayan me coffee and snacks, since that role of being the bossy Rouhizad doing his emergency medicine residency older brother never goes away,” Rayan Rouhizad joked. at Mount Sinai Medical Center, where he achieved “But seriously, it’s great seeing him at work, as it brings great acclaim, winning three residency awards, while a sense of normalcy—especially during these strange Nason Rouhizad completed his internal medicine and crazy times.” o
30 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Women United ALUMNA COORDINATES WILDFIRE RELIEF EFFORTS
BY SCOTT COLTON, B.A., APR
hen devastating wildfires ravaged a number of West “Doctors from our group in many different special- Coast states last summer, compassionate individuals, ties made agreements to assume care of patients from Wsuch as 2009 Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic displaced doctors and hospitals in the affected areas,” Medicine alumna Terry Moy-Brown, D.O., M.P.H., she added. “In one particular case, an OB-GYN and FACEP, stepped up to assist those in need. maternal fetal medicine specialist assumed care of Moy-Brown, who is a locum tenens emergency room multiple patients who were not her own but needed to physician in Oregon and Washington and does urgent be monitored. We also donated money and collected care work at Vancouver Clinic in Vancouver, Washing- clothing and hygiene products.” ton, also serves as board director of the Oregon Physi- To collect the needed items, Moy-Brown organized cian Women’s Group (OPWG). The organization, a donation drop sites at several spots in the downtown networking resource for female physicians in Oregon area of Portland, Oregon. As the drop sites filled and southwest Washington, provides support, connec- with donated goods, Moy-Brown and her OPWG tion, wellness, and opportunities for community service. colleagues gathered the items and consolidated them As the unrelenting flames began to scorch Oregon, in one location. “One of our members agreed to drive Moy-Brown mobilized the OPWG members. “It was to just outside of Portland to pick up our donations heartbreaking to see all the destruction. In some cases, and take them to her hospital and local shelters,” whole towns were destroyed,” said Moy-Brown, current Moy-Brown explained. OPWG president. “We could not stand idly by, so I put The relief efforts and donated supplies served as out a call for help on social media.” an uplifting reminder that, in times of crisis, there Working as a tight-knit unit, Moy-Brown and her are many caring people who will do whatever it takes OPWG cohorts assembled a list of members who were to help others. “I am proud to serve our OPWG willing to open their homes to those displaced due to an community of women who are not only breaking evacuation order. “We also disseminated lists of items glass ceilings, but also lifting each other up and that everyone evacuating should not forget to take with finding ways to give back to the communities they them, such as prescription medications,” she said. serve,” Moy-Brown emphasized. o
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 31 ALUMNI News
Theodore Aquino, Daniel Marc D.O., M.B.A., M.S.P.H., Friedman, D.O. (’08), is FACOEM (’09), is the new the new medical director of chief medical officer/assistant the Fanwood Rescue Squad vice president of medical in Fanwood, New Jersey. As and employee health at medical director, he advises BNSF Railway, which is a the rescue squad on best subsidiary of Berkshire practices in patient care, Hathaway and has 40,000 employees. In this role, emergency response procedures, patient care reports, Aquino oversees pandemic management, employee and educational opportunities. Friedman is also wellness, industrial hygiene, medical regulatory an attending physician and an assistant professor compliance, and worker fitness. of clinical emergency medicine at New York- Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Department Bertha Baum, D.O., of Emergency Medicine. FAOCD, FAAD (’10), a board-certified derma- Thomas Green, D.O., tologist and cosmetic M.M.M., M.P.H., CPE, CPHQ, surgeon at Hollywood FACEP, FACOEP-D (’98), was Dermatology, was featured appointed chief of staff for numerous times in People the VA Central Iowa Health magazine last year for Care System (VACIHCS) in her expertise in personalized skin care regimens. Des Moines, Iowa. He joined Additionally, she was featured in three episodes of the VACIHCS in April 2017 The Derms of Boca Raton, a web series that focuses as associate chief of staff for education and medical on the treatment journeys of patients who underwent director of the emergency department. In December cosmetic procedures. 2019, Green was named acting chief of staff. He also became a Certified Professional in Healthcare Eric Chung, D.O., M.P.H. Quality in October through the Healthcare Quality (’14), joined Baptist Health in Certification Commission. Fort Smith, Arkansas, as a bariatric surgeon. Chung Jeffrey S. Grove, D.O., NEWS recently completed a FACOFP (’90), was elected to fellowship in minimally a one-year term as national invasive surgery and president of the American ALUMNI weight-loss surgery at Osteopathic Foundation. Advanced Laparoscopic Surgical Associates in Additionally, the Broadway Fresno, California. production company he owns with fellow 1990 KPCOM Elizabeth Feldman, alumnus Michael Jackowitz, D.O., CPT—Witzend D.O. (’15), a board-certified Productions—is scheduled to debut a new musical pediatric physician, joined about the life of Princess Diana on June 1 called Cleveland Clinic Martin Diana: A New Musical, if Broadway is allowed to Health and is seeing patients reopen after closing during the initial wave of the at the Pediatric Care office COVID-19 pandemic. in Jensen Beach, Florida. She is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Pediatrics.
32 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Lisa Gwynn, D.O., Robert Kawa, D.O. (’14), M.B.A., FAAP, CPE (’98), a board-certified family program director of the medicine physician, recently Pediatric Mobile Clinic and joined Cleveland Clinic school health at the Universi- Martin Health in Stuart, ty of Miami Miller School Florida. He completed his of Medicine, was elected family medicine residency president of the Florida at St. Vincent’s Family Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Medicine Center in Jacksonville, Florida, and his neuromusculoskeletal medicine residency at Florida Marlow B. Hospital East in Orlando. Hernandez, D.O., M.P.H., M.B.A., FACP (’11), Margaret C. Lamkin, coauthored the article D.O. (’14), received a new “Current Understanding of Mazda Miata MX-5 100th COVID-19 Clinical Course anniversary special edition and Investigational Treat- car through the Mazda ments,” which was published Heroes program for her online on October 21 in Frontiers in Medicine. admirable efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Mandar Jagtap, D.O., cases skyrocketed, she traveled from her daily work FACC, FASE, FSCAI, FASNC in rural Alabama to the World Congress Center at a (’09), was appointed program hospital set aside solely for COVID patients. She also director of the Magnolia assisted the Porch Creek Indian Health Department Regional Health Center to help develop best practices and protocols to care Cardiovascular Fellowship for citizens who contracted COVID-19. in Corinth, Mississippi, becoming the youngest Joshua D. Lenchus, cardiovascular program director in the country. D.O., R.Ph., FACP, SFHM (’00), chief medical officer Marc G. Kaprow, D.O., at Broward Health Medical M.H.A., FACOI (’01), was Center in Fort Lauderdale, installed as president was elected vice president of of the Florida Osteopathic the Florida Medical Associa- Medical Association in tion—the first D.O. to hold February. The FOMA serves the position. He has also been a frequent media and represents approximately presence pertaining to COVID-19 in the South 10,000 osteopathic students Florida area during the pandemic. and physicians in the state of Florida. (continued on page 34)
Do you have a compelling story to share with the readers of COM Outlook? If you do, please contact Scott Colton at [email protected].
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 33 ALUMNI News
Brad Lipson, D.O., Vianka Perez, D.O. (’14), FASPC (’05), a double joined Tenet Florida Physi- board-certified physician, cian Services (TFPS) and and Jana Ray, M.P.H., PA opened her practice in an (’03), a physician assistant, established TFPS cardiology are collaborating on a office located at the Palmetto clinical trial for COVID-19 General Hospital campus prevention as principal in Hialeah, Florida. She investigator and sub-investigator, respectively. Since specializes in general cardiology, including preventa- August 2, a phase 3 clinical trial—a randomized, tive cardiovascular medicine, women’s heart health, double-blind, placebo-controlled study—has been structural heart imaging, valvular and structural underway. The organizations involved are Eli Lilly heart disease, heart failure medicine, and advanced and Company, the National Institute of Allergy echocardiography. Perez joined TFPS after serving as and Infectious Diseases, and AbCellera Biologics. chief fellow in the cardiovascular fellowship program The study aims to evaluate a specific intervention/ at Palmetto General Hospital. treatment for preventing SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 infection for some of the most vulnerable citizens in Bryan Peterson, D.O. the United States. (’12), was named director of radiology and supervising Erick Mejia, D.O. (’17), physician for breast imag- joined Family Doctors of ing at Southeastern Health’s North Port in Florida. medical staff, where he Mejia, who completed his practices in affiliation residency training at St. with Coastal Radiology/ Petersburg General Hospital Radiology Partners at Southeastern Radiology in June 2020, is board Associates in Lumberton, North Carolina. Prior to certified in family medicine joining forces with Southeastern Health, Peterson and osteopathic manipulative treatment. practiced at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a clinical assistant professor of radiology. Jessica Okun, D.O., M.S.
NEWS (’10), a skilled neurological Elizabeth Phung, D.O. surgeon and specialist in (’13), medical director of the brain and pituitary tumors, Beacham Center for Geriatric ALUMNI degenerative spinal disease, Medicine at Johns Hopkins and neurotrauma, was Bayview Medical Center in named Physician of the Baltimore, Maryland, Quarter at Florida Medical received the 2020 John R. Center in Fort Lauderdale. Okun was nominated Burton, M.D., Scholarship in in a process involving hospital employees Geriatric Surgery. The scholarship was created to and physicians. foster innovation and collaboration between geriatri- cians and surgeons to expand and improve the quality of care for older patients. Phung’s scholarship will allow her to assess the role of a geriatric-focused, multidisciplinary approach on surgical outcomes for older patients.
34 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Bruce G. Rankin, D.O., Aditya Vora, D.O. (’14), CPI, FACOFP (’85), medical a psychiatrist at JFK Medical director of Accel Clinical Center in Atlantis, Florida, Research in Deland, Florida, opened a psychiatric prac- was featured on FOX 35 tice in Davie, Florida, News on November 17 to called Refresh Psychiatry, discuss the progress made which focuses on student in the COVID-19 vaccine mental health needs. development process. Accel Clinical Research is one of the sites that has been conducting COVID-19 Fawn Winkelman, clinical research trials in the United States for D.O., (’10), medical director Johnson & Johnson and Novavax. and owner of the Elite Medicine and Aesthetic Nazar Sharak, D.O. Institute in Boca Raton, (’14), joined the Cleveland Florida, has been providing Clinic Indian River Hospital COVID-19 vaccines to in Vero Beach, Florida. patients since January 1. He completed his internal medicine residency training at Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and his cardiology fellowship and chief cardiology fellow programs at Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, New York.
CLOSING Notes COM Outlook Wins CASE Award
TACKLING INEQUITY TAKING A STAND COMMUNITY IMPACT STUDENT SELFLESSNESS On January 28, Dr. Kiran C. Patel special projects for NSU’s Office of PAGE 5 PAGE 9 PAGE 39 PAGE 42 College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Printing and Publications and execu- NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY COM WINTER 2021
COM Outlook magazine received tive editor of COM Outlook. “These DR. KIRAN OutlookC. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE the Council for Advancement and awards speak to the sustained excel- Support of Education (CASE) Bronze lence of the magazine and the myriad Award of excellence in the magazines– talents of the individuals who play an alumni/special interest category. essential role in creating each issue.” The CASE District III Institutional In 2020, COM Outlook received the Awards represent the very best in first-place prize in the magazine and advancement across the southeastern periodicals category in the Public United States. Relations Society of America Tampa “This is the third awardCOM Bay Chapter PRestige Awards and Outlook has won within the past year,” the Best Magazine award from the said Scott Colton, B.A., APR, director American Association of Colleges of of medical communications and Osteopathic Medicine. o
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 35 CLOSING Notes
Berko and Novotny Named Students of the Year
Third-year student Joshua Berko (Fort Lauderdale/Davie) and second-year student Kristina Novotny (Tampa Bay) were selected as NSU Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (KPCOM) Student D.O.s of the Year by their peers at their respective campuses. According to her award nomination, Novotny stood out because of her passion for the osteopathic profession, as well as the tremendous work ethic she displays as she strives to become a competent, compassionate, and dedicated osteopathic physician. She is also focused on dedicating herself to research, advocacy, and awareness surrounding bone health. Novotny also exhibited her dedication to the profession by becoming founding president of the KPCOM’s Tampa Bay Chapter of the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association. In this role, she worked hard to build the organization and showcased what it takes to work well with a team and lead in a time of great adversity. Berko, a current KPCOM osteopathic principles and practice fellow, previously showcased his leadership abilities in his role as president of the college’s Florida Osteopathic Medical Association chapter and as national liaison to the Student Osteopathic Medical Association. He was also honored for his impressive academic achievements, numerous community outreach efforts, and dedication to sharing his knowledge about osteopathic medicine. Because of their wins, both Berko and Novotny had their award applications submitted to the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents’ (COSGP) National Student D.O. of the Year competition. The COSGP is the national leadership council of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine and is the only organization that represents all osteopathic medical students. o
INIM Receives $4.4-Million COVID Grant
As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, health care providers are finding that more patients are experiencing lingering symptoms after recovering from the virus. These symptoms include being bone-tired and drained of energy. In most cases, they continue to negatively impact the patient’s overall well-being and ability to return to normal activities. Currently, not much is known or being done to address the residual health issues experi- enced by those now called COVID long haulers. That’s changing, however, thanks to research scientists like Nancy Klimas, M.D., director of the NSU Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine and chair of the Department of Clinical Immunology at the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine. Because of her expertise and the work she is involved with at the osteopathic college, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded Klimas and her research team a federal contract of approximately $4.4 million to study these residual symptoms in COVID-19 patients. NSU is the only institution to receive this federal contract. “Due to our long-standing research in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, we’ve been selected to research these symptoms in COVID-19 patients,” Klimas explained. “Because the symptoms are so similar—joint and muscle pain, severe fatigue, and memory and cognitive issues—to chronic fatigue syndrome, NSU is uniquely positioned to study this emerging development in the pandemic. This study will provide the chance to see patients early on in their conditions, and that’s vital for developing treatments.” o
36 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE 2020 KPCOM Gifts and Pledge Payments
The below list includes donors we believe wish to be recognized for their generous outright gifts and pledge payments to the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine from January 1 through December 31, 2020.
$1,000,000+ Dr. Marilyn Smith Gordon Sandra Kaplan Drs. Kiran (Trustee) & Pallavi Patel Family Foundation Ana Homs Gonzalez Dorothy Kass Mirlyn Hurry Dr. Cecylia T. Kelley $500,000–$999,999 Drs. Marc and Robin Kesselman Holly Laird The Schemel Family Foundation Lubov Nathanson Claire Lang Dr. Elizabeth O. Oviawe Hannah Lenard $50,000–$499,999 Dr. Raymond L. Ownby Elissa Levine Boston Scientific Corporation Rudy Perpich Rona R. Levitt Florida Blue Lisa Reardon Harriet J. Lieberson Dr. and Mrs. Richard R. Love Dr. Mark Sandhouse Dr. Laura S. Ling The Lozick Family Foundation Dr. Judith P. Schaffer Guimarsha Louis The 22 Project Dr. and Mrs. Marc Scheer Melinda H. Luis Sheri Schour Amy C. Markarian $25,000–$49,999 Pat Sonnett Jordan Lynn Mathis The Asad Family Foundation Dr. Steven B. Zucker Linda E. Maurice Mr. and Mrs. Bob Mayer $10,000–$24,999 $1–$149 Dr. Bindu Mayi Algonot, LLC Shirley Alansky Dr. Rohit S. Mehra Dr. Leonardo Cisneros, Jr. Beth Ann Allen Kristi Messer The Quell Foundation, Inc. Sahar S. Amini Manoucheka Michel-Pierre Drs. Elaine Wallace-Ross and Jill Wallace-Ross Caitlin M. Arbos Nadine Mikati Welch Allyn, Inc. Dr. Barbara Arcos Sara M. Moeinian Dr. Nicholas J. Arcos Georgie S. Montes Velez $5,000–$9,999 Julio R. Arriaza Jane E. Newman Mr. Ronald G. (Trustee) and Mrs. Kathy Assaf Richard Ascher Glenn A. Ogden Dr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Chenail Dr. Tonni Y. Bacoat-Jones Naushira Pandya Adolfo and Marisela Cotilla Dr. Rebecca A. Begtrup Phillip Parkinson Florida Association for the Study of Headache Marjorie K. Bell Dr. Katherine T. Peicher and Neurological Disorders Drs. Anjali Bhasin and Naveen Goel Odessa A. Pemberton Betsy C. Blume Eduardo Ramon Pla Alvarez $1,000–$4,999 Lila A. Bogdanowicz Alessandra Posey Dr. Gilbert Beauperthuy and Dominic V. Bortot Charles E. Powell Mrs. Cristina Mendia Beauperthuy Mildred Boyer Stacy R. Pyne Dr. Cyril Blavo Dr. Tambi L. and Mr. Tau Jonty Braun Shari Ramchal CFS Knowledge Center Thomas P. Brown Alfredo M. Rehbein Dr. Patricia M. and Mr. Jonathan E. Cole Christina Brown-Wujick Sandra Rosen Cynthia Hill Jonathan Bruner Dr. Irving Rosenbaum Dr. James T. Howell Patricia Ann Burke Helaine Royo Dr. and Mrs. Randy S. Katz Sharon Calabrese Barbara C. Sageman Dr. Gary Steven Margules Charles Lindbergh Carr Gerri S. Sant Mr. and Mrs. Gregg Mongold Annette L. Clarke Gemma Saperstein Dr. Guy M. Nehrenz Dr. Darren J. Cohen Theresa M. Schilthorn Stephanie Nelson Petrosky Mr. and Mrs. Herb Cohen Stephen Schwartz Shauntae Roberts John Davanzo Dr. Sandi Scott-Holman and Mr. Brent E. Holman Dr. Wayne A. and Mrs. Lorinda Schreier Heike E. Dose Louis Shelley Dr. Ioana Scripa Lori Beth Dribin Marion L. Sherman Dr. and Mrs. Anthony J. Silvagni Kelly M. Duke Marla Silverman Odanna Duverge Andrae Simpson and Melissa Chantel Chamberlain $500–$999 Dr. Robert T. Effren Steven Singer Deallus Marie Hermine Florent-Carre Suzette R. Siviter Dr. Orlando Garcia and Dr. Mary Jo Villar Drs. Chad and Yasmin Frank Mr. and Mrs. Steven Sloane Phyllis F. Greenstein Dr. Arlene Giczkowski Stuart Slutsky President George and Mrs. Jana Hanbury Beth Gilbert Jewel Smith Drs. Kenneth and Michelle Johnson Karlon D. Godfrey Desiree Maciel Soto Dr. Barry M. Karpel Eric Alan Goldsmith Drs. William and Zoraida Stager Nicholas Lutfi Irving Granoff Dr. Matthew William Told Dr. Gary J. Merlino Tameeka A. Grant Kimberly P. Valenti Dr. and Mrs. Glenn Moran Paul Greenman Iris Walden Mr. and Mrs. John Sadler Drs. Jason and Farzanna Haffizulla Susanne Walder Dr. and Mrs. John Chase Soliday Hope Hagler Ellen Walleser Jill Swanson Dr. Elizabeth Hames Lisa Walther Janet Hamstra Ellen Robin Weinstein $150–$499 Elizabeth Handly Denise Weinstock Dr. Eric Alboucrek Dr. Faris Z. Hawatmeh Dr. Nathan P. Widboom Dr. Paula L. Anderson-Worts Robin L. Helm Dr. Michael B. Williams Dr. Alison Christine Bested Carmen Evelyn Hernandez Yuri Zagvazdin Dr. Gayl Canfield Liane Hess Dr. Wanda J. Zamorano Dr. Carisa Rose Champion Mitzi B. Hodges Chrislene Zetrenne Scott N. Colton Mary Holloway Blake A. Constantinides Dawn Holt KPCOM LEGACY DONORS Nicole Jill Cook Kenneth Hurewitz The following individuals have made planned gifts to Dr. Alan David Dr. Annisah Ishmael the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine. Drs. Joseph and Hilda De Gaetano Dr. Lailah C. Issac Bernadette Bruce and David Boehme Drs. Gina Foster-Moumoutjis and Arvelo Moumoutjis Sylvia Iversen Scott N. Colton Dr. Mark Gabay Dr. Robin Joy Jacobs Loretta Neff Dr. Jennifer A. Jordan NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 37 DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE 3200 South University Drive Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328-2018
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