Online Newsletter for NSU Faculty & Staff
On the latest episode of Mako TV News, student reporters address a recent rumor spreading regarding the well-known piano at the Don Taft University Center; the Broward County community comes together here on campus to support the annual Gilda’s Race for Hope; Dr. Raja Aarti provides advice on weathering the flu season; and the undefeated NSU’s women’s soccer team updates us on what to expect from them this season.
Posted 10/13/23
From left, President George L. Hanbury II, Dr. Leonard Pounds, Sen. Alexis Calatayud, and Executive Vice President, COO and President-Elect Dr. Harry K. Moon.
On Tuesday, Oct. 3, Florida state Sen. Alexis Calatayud came to the Alan B. Levan l NSU Broward Center of Innovation and presented a check for $5 million from the State of Florida to Nova Southeastern University’s NSU Health Veterans Care.
On hand to receive the check were Dr. Leonard Pounds, NSU’s Vice President of Clinical Operations; NSU President and CEO George L. Hanbury II; and Dr. Harry K. Moon, NSU’s COO, Executive Vice President, and President-Elect.
Posted 10/09/23
Nominations for the 26th Annual Student Life Achievement Awards, affectionately known as the STUEYs, are now open. All NSU students, faculty, and staff members are invited to nominate candidates of their choice for recognition. Click here for more information about making your nominations.
Nominations are accepted now through January 12, 2024 at 5 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact the Nomination Committee Representative for your department/school/center.
For more information, please contact the NSU Office of Campus Life and Student Engagement at stueys@nova.edu.
Posted 10/07/23
At its September 21, 2023, meeting, Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Board of Trustees and President Dr. George Hanbury finalized plans for him to step down as president and CEO and continue to serve NSU in a new role as of January 1, 2025. At the same meeting, the Board voted unanimously for Harry K. Moon, M.D., currently NSU’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, to become NSU’s 7th President and CEO. Dr. Moon will begin his tenure as president, also on January 1, 2025.
The decision by the President and Board to make this announcement now gives the university and its executive leadership abundant time to implement a well-thought-out transition period to ensure the long-term success of the university, its students, faculty, staff, alumni, patients, partners and the communities it serves.
“George Hanbury has led Nova Southeastern University through years of unparalleled achievement. The university is financially sound and well on track to continue its rise to preeminence among national research universities,” said Mr. Charlie Palmer, Chair of NSU’s Board of Trustees. “We have recognized the strong and effective partnership between President Hanbury and Dr. Moon over these past five years and we see that promotion from within will serve the university’s best interest.”
President Hanbury, who has served as president of Nova Southeastern University since 2010, will continue to serve NSU in a new role as Chancellor and creator of a new Institute of Citizenship, Leadership, and International Affairs.
“Serving the students, faculty and staff of this great university has been the most noble thing I have ever done in my life. My job became my passion at NSU, and because I loved what I was doing, I feel like I never worked a day. I love being president of the NSU family,” said Dr. Hanbury. “As my contract draws to an end, I’m blessed to be healthy and happy, and it’s time to prepare to pass the gavel to the next and seventh presidency of this fine institution.”
Dr. Moon currently serves as NSU’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, a role he has held since July 2018. Additionally, Dr. Moon is Chief Operating Officer of NSU Health, a patient-centric integrated health care network encompassing the university’s many clinical operations. As NSU’s EVP/COO, he oversees the units of Innovation and Information Technology, Facilities and Public Safety, Business Services, Internal Audit, Environmental Health and Safety, Engagement Center, Regional Campus Administration, University Library, NSU Art Museum | Fort Lauderdale, and the Grande Oaks Golf Club.
“I am humbled and honored that NSU’s Board of Trustees and President Hanbury have placed their trust in me to be the next president to lead this extraordinary university,” said Dr. Moon.
Posted 09/25/23
In the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings released Sept. 18, Nova Southeastern University maintained its place in the top national universities despite some drastic changes in the ranking philosophy.
Now ranked at 227, NSU is the second-highest rated Private Research University in Florida, behind the University of Miami. The university also increased its ranking by 30 points in Social Mobility—a standard by which universities are ranked based on success of economically disadvantaged students who are less likely than others to finish college.
NSU also maintained its standard as an “A+ University for B Students,” keeping us on track for attracting and retaining students who will not only succeed academically during their time at NSU, but also succeed in their chosen careers post-graduation. Additionally, NSU kept a top spot in the Diversity Index at 29th among all national universities.
This is all remarkable in a year when other private research universities have lost significant footing in their rankings, while public universities have gained ground based on the ranking criteria. Moving forward, NSU will continue to focus on areas that meet our strategic vision and will also help us increase our national rankings, such as retention and graduation rates.
Posted 09/24/23
From left, NSU faculty Lauren Fine, M.D.; Vijay Rajput, M.D.; Stefanie Carter, Ed.D.; and Vanessa Johnson, Ph.D.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has provided funding of up to $20,000 each to five recipients to implement their Student BP Measurement Essentials Modules in their curriculum. The AMA Student BP Measurement program was initially launched in 2021 to improve standardization of blood pressure measurement training across the country. The modules have been updated and further expanded this year based on findings from the 2021 modules and 2021 grant recipients. NSU is the recipient of one of five $20,000 grants during this 2023 cycle, which will be implemented in collaboration with representatives from Florida State University (FSU) and the University of Central Florida (UCF) as a unique multi-institutional and interprofessional effort.
Faculty from each school leading the implementation of this grant include:
Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine (NSU MD)
University of Central Florida College of Medicine
Florida State University
The AMA BP modules are free and can be accessed through the AMA Ed HubTM site.
The news release for this project can be accessed here.
If you have questions about the project or are interested in future collaboration in this project, please email Lauren Fine, MD at LFine1@nova.edu.
Posted 09/24/23
NSU MD is proud to announce the formation of a SIGN (Student Interest Group in Neurology) chapter! SIGN is affiliated with the American Academy of Neurology, and our chapter here at NSU’s Davie campus is now one of over a hundred spanning the U.S. and internationally.
Through this SIGN chapter, we are committed to promoting educational initiatives relating to neurological health maintenance and care, sharing new developments in the field of neurology, and fostering mentorship between students and providers practicing in neurology. Our first year of operation has included events such as seizure first aid training and a talk with a residency program director in neurology.
Our affiliation with the American Academy of Neurology also includes many opportunities for students interested in neurology, from free registration for the AAN annual conference to funding for attending research conferences in neurology. We have more exciting events planned for the upcoming year including future certifications/community service, and we welcome all members of the NSU community, of any program affiliation, to join our SIGN chapter’s activities!
For any inquiries about membership or collaborating with the SIGN chapter, please reach out to chapter president Kristina Reyes (kreyes@mynsu.nova.edu) or faculty adviser Dr. William Keller (wkeller@nova.edu).
Posted 09/21/23
From left, Mark Schweizer and Robert Voelker
Mark Schweizer and his husband Robert Voelker have established the Dr. Mark S. Schweizer and Robert M. Voelker Community Engagement Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship will be given yearly to the senior dental students who demonstrates an exceptional commitment, compassion, initiative, and engagement that embraces the NSU College of Dental Medicine’s mission to local, national, and community oral health outreach.
With more than one half of the population that does not have the ability to access oral healthcare, engaging in programs that support access oral healthcare is an important portion of Schweizer’s and Voelker’s commitment to community service.
Schweizer is the Assistant Dean of Community Programs and Public health and has developed an extensive program of community service across the globe. Voelker, a licensed architect, is the principal of DM Visualization, LLC, which provides global training on innovative software for architectural interior visualization.
Together, they support many charities that support food insufficiency, animals’ rights, increasing access to oral health care, and LBGTQ+ rights. Schweizer and Voelker encourage all to each day to give at least one random act of kindness.
Posted 09/10/23
It’s that time of year again—the time to get an annual flu vaccine. The Office of Human Resources is pleased to collaborate with the NSU Pharmacy and ICUBA to provide free seasonal flu shots to all faculty and staff enrolled in an ICUBA medical plan.
The purpose of the flu vaccine is to minimize transmission of the influenza virus in the workplace by providing occupational protection to faculty and staff and to prevent transmission to other members of the NSU community. Annual influenza vaccination has been found to be both safe and effective in reducing the risk of influenza and health care-related transmission.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), everyone six months and older in the United States should get an influenza (flu) vaccine every season with rare exception. CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has made this “universal” recommendation since the 2010-2011 flu season.
Option 1: Visit an On-site Clinic
Please bring the following items with you to the event:
1). VAR Form:
2). If you have not used our pharmacy services in the past, please also fill in this form and bring it with you to the event:
3). Also, please bring your Bluecross/Blueshield Medical ID Insurance card. If you have a different insurance, we process and accept most major insurances, just bring your pharmacy benefits card with you.
Event dates / Times / Locations:
As a reminder, employees can schedule an immunization appointment Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. by calling the NSU pharmacy at 954-262-4550, if the clinic dates/times are not convenient.
Option 2: NSU Health Pharmacy Walk-Ins or Appointments
The NSU Health Pharmacy accepts walk-ins for the Influenza vaccine and all other CDC approved vaccines as well as scheduled appointments for your vaccines. Please call us at 954-262-4550 or pass by the pharmacy to get your flu shot today.
Posted 08/30/23
Carl A. DeSantis
Nova Southeastern University has lost one of its own. On Aug. 10, 2023, Carl A. DeSantis – for whom the DeSantis Building was named – passed away in Delray Beach, Florida. He was 84 years old.
DeSantis was born in Boston on July 19, 1939, and was raised in South Florida. He was an entrepreneur at heart, selling newspapers and raising parakeets to help his family at a young age. After briefly attending Florida State University (FSU), DeSantis returned to Miami where began working his way up the ladder at Walgreens. He started as a stock boy and quickly rose to one for the chain’s youngest store managers.
DeSantis launched Sundown Vitamins in his garage and built it into the world’s largest vitamin manufacturer. With a constant eye on consumer demand, DeSantis created Sundown, an effective and inexpensive sunburn treatment. As consumers turned their attentions to nutrition and health products, Sundown Vitamins became Rexall Sundown, and under DeSantis’ guidance grew into a NASDAQ success and Fortune 100 company. Rexall Sundown is famously known for its multi-billion-dollar seller Osteo-Biflex.
DeSantis had a long history of philanthropy in South Florida, making donations to Florida universities such as Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and FSU. In 1998, what was then called NSU’s School of Business and Entrepreneurship (SBE) inducted DeSantis into its Entrepreneur and Business Hall of Fame. He was honored by the school for his work in founding Rexall Sundown and for his support of charitable and educational institutions. Among other achievements was his establishment of the Rexall Sundown Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Center at the University of Miami’s (UM) Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Already named for H. Wayne Huizenga in 1999, NSU’s School of Business and Entrepreneurship received a $2 million gift from DeSantis in 2000. His gift put the university’s fund-raising campaign for the renamed H. Wayne Huizenga Graduate School of Business and Entrepreneurship at a little more than $9 million, about two-thirds of the estimated cost of building and equipping the school.
Carl DeSantis with President Hanbury
When DeSantis visited the Davie campus in September 2012 for a speaking engagement with students, faculty, and staff, he spoke about the keys to success in business.
He told the audience to “look for voids in life,” to find consumer needs and demands and fill them. He advised “don’t ever put the brakes on,” to be persistent, dedicated, and hard-working to get the job done. He also advocated “knowing what you are capable of,” essentially understanding your strengths and skills, knowing what you need to achieve your goals, and surrounding yourself with good people. It was DeSantis’ blueprint for life.
Among DeSantis’ most notable investments were Celsius, a fitness drink and powder; Tabañero, an award-winning hot sauce; and Kwandwe, an eco-tourist resort in South Africa. He also invested in a few landmark real estate projects in South Florida. DeSantis owned 30 percent of Celsius shares, which skyrocketed in 2020, making DeSantis a billionaire.
In the words of his family, DeSantis left a memorable mark on the many lives through his “infectious laughter, warm smile, and genuine interest in others. His wisdom, guidance, and mentorship touched the lives of countless individuals, leaving an indelible mark on their personal and professional journeys.”
It’s clear that he left his mark at NSU, too.
“His legacy of hard work, innovation, and generosity made him an ideal namesake for the building that houses NSU’s H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship,” said Dr. George L. Hanbury, President and CEO of NSU. “He was a true inspiration.”
Posted 08/27/23