Tag: College of Pharmacy

NSU Jamaica Medical/Dental Mission Heals Hearts, Smiles

From July 17 to July 22, 2023, a remarkable event took place in St. Mary, Jamaica, as Nova Southeastern University (NSU) embarked on a transformative medical/dental mission. This interdisciplinary mission brought together professionals and students from various healthcare fields, including Medicine, Dental, Nursing, Pharmacy, Optometry, Occupational Therapy, and a host of volunteers. Their collective efforts not only provided much-needed health-care services but also left a lasting impact on the lives of the local community.

The mission was organized by NSU in collaboration with Women of H.O.P.E., a local non-profit organization that provides healthcare and education to women and children. Its primary objective was to extend a helping hand to the underserved population in St. Mary, who faced limited access to medical and dental services. The mission’s diverse team of dedicated healthcare practitioners aimed to address a range of health issues, including dental problems that often went untreated.

The dental component of the mission was particularly remarkable. Three experienced dentists, along with 12 talented dental students, came together to deliver vital dental care to those in need. Over the course of the mission, these compassionate professionals provided dental services to an impressive 275 patients, ranging from cleanings to more complex procedures like fillings and extractions.

What made the NSU Jamaica Medical/Dental Mission even more exceptional was the generosity of the team and their supporters. With more $175,000 in donated services, this mission truly exemplified the power of altruism and the positive impact it can have on underserved communities. The donated services not only alleviated immediate health concerns but also contributed to the patient’s overall well-being and quality of life.

Apart from providing hands-on care, the medical and dental teams also conducted informative presentations on various health-related topics. These presentations covered crucial aspects of oral and general health, including preventive measures, hygiene practices, and the importance of early detection and treatment. The mission aimed to create a sustainable impact by educating the community, and empowering individuals to take charge of their health and well-being.

The NSU Jamaica Medical/Dental Mission was about more than just medical and dental treatments; it was a mission of healing hearts and smiles. The warmth and compassion exhibited by the team left a lasting impression on the patients they served. Beyond the physical healing, the mission also fostered emotional and psychological healing, reminding the community that they were not forgotten and that they mattered.

The impact of this interdisciplinary mission extended far beyond the week it took place. The team not only treated patients but also formed valuable connections with the local healthcare providers and organizations. Collaborative efforts like these can create a lasting change in healthcare infrastructure and access in underserved areas.

The success of the NSU Jamaica Medical/Dental Mission 2023 was a testament to the power of teamwork, dedication, and the spirit of giving back. By coming together, these professionals and students were able to make a tangible difference in the lives of hundreds of individuals, leaving a legacy of care and compassion that will be cherished by the community for years to come.

The NSU Jamaica Medical/Dental Mission 2023 was a remarkable endeavor that showcased the potential of interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare. Through the efforts of Medical, Dental, Nursing, Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, students, and volunteers, the mission delivered critical services, educational support, and compassion to the people of St. Mary, Jamaica. It was a shining example of how healthcare can be a force for good, transcending borders and bringing healing to the hearts and smiles of those in need.”

Posted 07/30/23

NSU Faculty Members Receive Grant for Alzheimer’s Research

Benedict C. Albensi, Ph.D.

Nova Southeastern University researchers Benedict C. Albensi, Ph.D., BCMAS, CRQM; and Lisa Robison, Ph.D.; recently received a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant for their research on Alzheimer’s disease.

They will receive $616,000 over a period of four years for their project titled “Sex-based differences of a high fat diet in Alzheimer’s disease (AD): Can nilotinib reverse bioenergetic and neuropathological deficits?” The grant was given under the NIH Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Professor Albensi – the principal investigator of the project – is the chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences with the Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy. Robison – the co-investigator – is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at NSU’s College of Psychology.

“This grant specifically looks at a couple key features of Alzheimer’s disease that I have been studying for several years,” Albensi said.

  1. Sex differences: About two thirds of women get AD and we do not exactly know why that is the case. Longevity alone does not explain why. This study will look at sex differences with an emphasis on brain metabolism.
  2. Diet and exercise have a tremendous effect on our health and specifically on brain metabolism. Some scientists estimate we can reduce both AD and cancer by 40-50% with better nutrition and optimal exercise. This study will look at the effects of high fat diets, especially fats that are not healthy for us.
  3. In this study we will look at ways to reverse the negative effects of a high fat diet.

“So overall I have been studying and publishing on sex differences, memory dysfunction, brain metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, nutritional interventions, in AD,” Albensi said. “My co-investigator, Lisa Robison, has also been studying sex differences in AD and memory changes in AD.”

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R16NS134540. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Posted 05/07/23

NSU Researchers Explore AI Use in Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

In a recent paper published in “Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience,” two Nova Southeastern University researchers compared traditional methods to diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease with the use of artificial intelligence with those methods. The paper — titled “Should artificial intelligence be used in conjunction with Neuroimaging in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease?” — is coauthored by NSU student Sophia Mirkin, from the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Dr. Benedict C. Albensi, Ph.D., BCMAS, CRQM, chair and professor of NSU’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy.

Among the pros of using artificial intelligence in diagnosing Alzheimer’s were an improvement of diagnostic accuracy, efficient data analysis, and a reduction in physician burnout. Among the cons were generalization and data shortage, skepticism by the medical community, and patient privacy concerns.

Get more details here.

Posted 04/09/23

NSU Participates in International Women’s Day Event

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) celebrated International Women’s Day with a panel discussion led by Mathan M. Kannayan and Katherine E. Dookhan. This panel featured three accomplished female leaders in the NSU community.

The event brought together Dr. Andrea Nevins, Dr. Paula Anderson-Worts, and Dr. Michelle Clark to discuss their experiences as women in leadership roles. The panelists shared stories of their personal and professional journeys, as well as insights on how to empower and support women in all areas of life.

Attendees were inspired by the speakers and left with a renewed sense of purpose to continue advancing gender equity in their communities. The event was a resounding success and a reminder of the importance of celebrating and supporting women’s achievements.

The AAUW Executive board would like to thank all participants for making this event possible and for all the students, faculty, and staff that continue to support our mission to promote equity for women and girls.

Posted 03/27/23

Researchers Delve Into Better Clinical Trials for Alzheimer’s

Ben Albensi, Ph.D.

Brain cells die when they do not receive enough energy and nutrients. When too many brain cells die, brain function is then lost as well. As we age and due to disease, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), our energy levels are compromised, which results in memory impairment and other cognitive changes.

The progression of AD, however, may take 20+ years and so there is a time window of opportunity to attempt to prevent or stop the disease and slow processes of aging. Therefore, it stands to reason that providing additional energy with specific nutritional measures or other interventions during mid-life may limit the progression of brain cell loss. Many questions remain however with regard to diets and /or drugs that might prevent AD.

In a recent paper titled “Nutritional metabolism and cerebral bioenergetics in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias – co-authored by Professor Ben Albensi, Ph.D., Chair of NSU’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences – he and several researchers attempt to achieve a better understanding of brain energy biochemical pathways during our lifespan and discuss brain-specific markers and specific diets that can inform scientists about designing better clinical trials.  Some of these clinical trials involve the MIND diet, multi-cultural health diets, and anti-inflammatory diets. Other key aspects considered focus on sex and ethnicity and how nutritional measures need to be personalized.

Read the full paper.

Published 12/20/22

Flu Vaccinations Offered on Campus This Year

Here are the 2021 Nova Southeastern University flu vaccination clinics and times.

Date Time Location Room
October 1, 2021 1PM to 5PM University School Wolf Family Grand Lobby

(Center for the Arts)
October 4, 2021 9AM to 12PM

2PM to 4PM

 Rick Case Arena Don Taft University Center
October 6, 2021 12PM to 4PM Alvin Sherman Library Room 4009
October 8, 2021 9AM to 12PM

2PM to 4PM

 NSU Pharmacy NSU Pharmacy – Ziff Building
October 13, 2021 9AM to 12PM

2PM to 4PM

 NSU Pharmacy NSU Pharmacy – Ziff Building

 

Pharmacy Students on the Front Lines

Pharmacists have always been one of the most accessible healthcare providers. That is evident now, more than ever, as they have become an integral part of the vaccination effort in the United States. Student pharmacists, who are trained and credentialed to provide immunizations, are also playing a vital role in administering these vaccines.

During the month of March, students from the Palm Beach Campus of the College of Pharmacy partnered with Sewall’s Point Pharmacy in Stuart, FL to assist with the implementation of their COVID Vaccine Clinic. Third year students, who were supervised by Cristal Totterman, PharmD, Pharmacist and Owner of Sewall’s Point Pharmacy, volunteered in pairs of two for each shift. One student would review the consent with the patient and prep the vaccine, while the other would administer the vaccine. The students then swapped roles at the half-way point to maximize their exposure to the entire process.

Third-year students Jennifer Lowe (’22) and Laura Gonzalez Santiago (’22) both remarked at what an amazing experience they had and what a great feeling it was to help the community. Cristal Totterman, PharmD, was thankful to have the support from the students during such a hectic time, “They jumped right in and gave great customer service!”

Pharmacy Students Get Certified in Mental Health First Aid

In November, the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP) at the NSU College of Pharmacy coordinated and provided a special training event for students to attend an 8 hour in-person certification training focused on Mental Health First Aid. The event, which followed strict COVID-19 cautionary guidelines, helped our students better understand mental health and substance use disorders.

Students were taught how to identify signs and symptoms of mental health problems that indicate a person may require professional help and how to correctly approach situations which are often difficult for most persons to address. The instructors, which belong to the South Florida Wellness Network, were able to provide clear and concise steps in approaching a mental health situation in which both the Mental Health First Aider and the person in distress feel safe.

The event brought awareness to the importance of Mental Health First Aid, such that it is as important and lifesaving to people in our society as CPR is. The NSU-CPNP student chapter hopes to continue to provide this critical training to the students at the College of Pharmacy, and it is also looking to extend the invitation for this training and certification opportunity to all students in the Health Professions Division.

For more information and mental health resources:

Visit South Florida Wellness Network at

http://www.sfwn.org

NSU College of Pharmacy raises over $1,500 for NAMIWalks- Broward County

 

This Fall, NSU College of Pharmacy led a campaign to raise awareness and funds for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.  Among NAMI’s many activities, it provides local educational and awareness programs, support groups and training, educational material, a NAMI Help line that provides resource referral and support, as well as national advocacy for mental health. Due to the pandemic, an online walk was hosted this year to fundraise for each local community. Under the guidance of Jose A. Rey, M.S., Pharm.D., BCPP, and leadership of pharmacy student Abigail Sundberg (’23), over $1,500 was raised for the NAMIWalks – Broward County.

Several College of Pharmacy club organizations participated to fundraise for NAMIWalks this year, including the College of Psychiatric and Neurological Pharmacists (CPNP) and the American Pharmacists Association- Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP).
Fundraising was conducted through Self Care Treat Bag sales, which provided information on mental wellness as well as stress relieving goodies, and through social media campaigns such as #RocktheWalk2020 and #MentalHealthforAll. Students from all class years participated in fundraising efforts and bringing awareness to the importance of mental health.

Donations are collected year-round if you would like to support NAMI in Broward County. If you would like to support and donate, the link is listed below. Help us to fundraise for NAMI’s mission of #MentalHealthforAll. Please visit nami.org for additional information and resources.

NSU College of Pharmacy Team Page: https://www.namiwalks.org/team/39187

Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints NSU COP Alumna, Dorinda Segovia, Pharm.D. (’92) to the Board of Pharmacy

Dorinda Segovia, Pharm.D., NSU COP Alumna (’92), was appointed to the Board of Pharmacy by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

NSU alumna and 2020 STUEY Alumni of the Year, Dorinda Segovia, Pharm.D. (’92) was recently appointed to the Board of Pharmacy by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Segovia is the Vice President of Pharmacy Services for Memorial Healthcare System. She has been supporting the college of pharmacy community since 1992 as a student mentor, affiliate assistant professor, guest speaker, and member of the admissions and curriculum committees. In 2002, she was appointed by the Governor to Florida’s Medicaid first Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee to assist in selecting a formulary for the underserved.

The Florida Board of Pharmacy was legislatively established to ensure that every pharmacist practicing in the state and every pharmacy meet minimum requirements for safe practice. It is responsible for the licensure, monitoring and education of pharmacy professionals to assure competency and safety to practice in their service to the people of Florida. The Florida Board of Pharmacy consists of nine members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Seven members of the board must be licensed pharmacists who are residents of this state and who have been engaged in the practice of the profession of pharmacy in this state for at least 4 years. The remaining two members must be residents of the state who have never been licensed as pharmacists and have no connection with the practice of the profession of pharmacy.

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