Tag: College of Optometry

NSU Receives Approval by Top University Accrediting Body

Dr. Belle Wheelan, President of SACSCOC with NSU President and CEO George L. Hanbury II

Nova Southeastern University received notification from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) that our Fifth-Year Interim Report has been successfully accepted with no additional reporting requested.

SACSCOC is the body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. It serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices primarily among the diverse institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Latin America and certain other international sites approved by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees.

The Commission also accepts applications for membership from domestic institutions in the other 39 states, as well as international institutions of higher education around the world.

Congratulations to all for this recognition of NSU as a preeminent university of quality and distinction!

Posted 12/05/23

FY2025 PRG and QOL Grant Cycles Now Open

The FY 2025 President’s Research Grant (PRG), formerly the Presidents Faculty Research Development Grant (PFRDG), and Quality of Life (QOL) grant cycles are now open! This year the application process will take place on Cayuse Sponsored Projects, NSU’s new grant management system. Applications are due via Cayuse no later than January 22, 2024, 5:00 p.m.. More information, as well as application instructions, can be found on the PRG and QOL websites, linked below. Through these programs, eligible faculty may apply for internal grants of up to $15,000 in support of a variety of research and scholarly activities. PRG and QOL are tremendous opportunities to obtain support for research and scholarship at NSU, and to build faculty research capacity that can be leveraged toward external funding pursuits.

For more information about how to apply and program guidelines, visit the PRG program website here and the QOL website here. For questions, please contact PRG@nova.edu or QOL@nova.edu.

Posted 12/10/23

NSUCO Students win EssilorLuxottica Academic Challenge

Three students from Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry (NSUCO) were crowned the EssilorLuxottica Academic Challenge champions for 2023 at the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) Academy meeting in New Orleans.

The EssilorLuxottica Academic Challenge celebrated its sixth annual competition where student representatives from 25 schools and colleges of optometry answer rounds of eye health-related questions to win significant prizes.

Navroop Kaur, Dhruvi Patel, and Amanda Aker from NSUCO took home the first-place prizes of $1,000 from the AAO, a pair of Ray-Ban Stories from EssilorLuxottica, and Volk lenses. A celebration was held on Friday, Oct. 20, at the NSU Davie/Fort Lauderdale campus with NSUCO administrators, faculty, staff, and students.

This achievement showcases the commitment and dedication of NSUCO’s students, and we look forward to their continued success in the field of optometry.

Posted 11/26/23

Sherrol Reynolds Named Optometry Professor of the Year

Sherrol Reynolds

Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry (NSUCO) is proud to announce that Dr. Sherrol Reynolds, O.D., has been recognized as the Optometry Professor of the Year and is nominated for the President’s Distinguished Professor Award of Excellence for 2023.

Reynolds is a professor and an alum of NSUCO in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and a graduate of the University of Florida. She serves as chief of the Davie Primary Care Clinic and director of the Retina Clinic.

“Dr. Sherrol Reynolds wears many hats within our optometry department,” said some of Reynolds’ students. “In these positions, she has helped mold the minds of my classmates and myself into exceptional future optometric physicians.”

She has received several awards such as the National Optometric Association (NOA) NOA Optometrist of the Year in 2013, the Women in Optometry Leadership Award in 2021, the American Optometric Association (AOA) 2021 President’s Award, and the inaugural 2022 American Academy of Optometry Foundation Excellence in Diversity Awareness and Education Award.

Currently, she is a planning group member for the National Eye Institute National Eye Health Education Board (NEHEP) and co-chair of the Eye Health, My Health: Eye Health for African Americans.

Posted 11/26/23

NSUCO Gets Insight into Diversity 2023 HEED in Diversity Award

Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry (NSUCO) is pleased to announce that they have received the 2023 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. This is the second consecutive year NSUCO has been named as a Health Professions HEED Award recipient.

As a recipient of the annual Health Professions HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. health colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — NSUCO will be featured, along with 61 other recipients, in the November/December 2023 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected NSUCO because of the several Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives the school provides to promote an inclusive atmosphere amongst the NSU campuses and our community.

According to Insight into Diversity magazine, the Health Professions HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees — and best practices for both — continued leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion.

“We take a detailed approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a Health Professions HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for schools where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being done every day across their campus.”

For more information about the 2023 INSIGHT Into Diversity Health Professions HEED Award, visit insightintodiversity.com.

Posted 11/05/23

Coulter Named Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at NSUCO

Stacey Coulter

Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry (NSUCO) is pleased to announce that Stacey Coulter, O.D., M.S., FAAO, FCOVD, has been named Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs.

In this newly created position, Coulter will direct and evaluate the college’s clinical program and teaching functions to ensure they are aligned with our education and research goals. Coulter’s immense leadership experience makes her the perfect candidate to ensure the quality of clinical experiences for students and residents.

Coulter received her O.D. degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) in 1991 and continued to complete her residency in Pediatric Optometry and Vision Therapy at PCO in 1992.  She also received her MS degree in Exceptional Student Education from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2012.

As a professor, she taught in the classroom, clinic, and residency program and is active the clinical research in Pediatric Optometry. She also oversaw the Vision in Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service which provides vision care to children and adults with autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Coulter’s years of knowledge, experience, and involvement with our program and faculty will be invaluable and provide for a seamless transition into this new role to advance our clinical program.

Posted 11/05/23

College of Optometry Honored for Excellence in Diversity

The NSU College of Optometry is a recipient of the 2023 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award for the second year in a row!

The HEED Awards and the Health Professions HEED Awards are the only national honors recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive campus environment. The honorees will be featured in the November/December 2023 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity, the nation’s largest and oldest publication dedicated to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) in higher education.

“The HEED Award selection process is rigorous, assessing the recruitment and retention of students and faculty, pathway programs, community partnerships, leadership support for DEI initiatives, and a comprehensive list of other considerations,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher. “The winning institutions consistently demonstrate best practices and set the standards for other colleges and universities.”

The Health Professions HEED Award recognizes U.S. medical, dental, pharmacy, osteopathic, nursing, veterinary, allied health, and other health schools and centers that exhibit excellence in DEI initiatives and strategies.

Posted 10/22/23

Interprofessional Education, Simulation to Open Gateway to Future of Health Care at NSU

For years, NSU has been raising the bar on health care in South Florida through interprofessional education and simulation. Our philosophy and practice have focused on training future professionals to interact with patients and collaborate as members of health care teams before practicing in real-life health care environments.

To enhance and expand our current world-class health care facilities, NSU Health is seizing the opportunity to put them under one roof at the future site of a brand new, standalone Interprofessional Simulation Complex, or SimCom.

This facility – spearheaded by EVP and COO Dr. Harry Moon and NSU Health – will serve as the cornerstone of NSU’s health care footprint on the Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus, strategically located near the health care colleges, NSU Health’s clinics, the Center for Collaborative Research, and the HCA University Hospital. The facility’s infrastructure will be used by students on campus as well as all regional campuses virtually. Slated to open in 2025, SimCom will be supported by NSU Health’s new Interprofessional Simulation Institute – led by Executive Director Dawn Wawersik. The Institute – which already oversees the administration and operations of simulation activities for the university.

These cutting-edge endeavors will culminate in a uniquely beneficial asset to NSU students, educators, and researchers across all our regional campuses, as well as the health care community and industry at large. The much smaller former Dolphins training facility building, previously considered to house SimCom, will be repurposed to address much-needed office and classroom space on campus.

Learn more about these exciting endeavors.

Posted 09/26/23

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

NSUCO Students, Faculty Assist at Special Olympics

On Sunday, January 15, several NSUCO students and faculty assisted at the Special Olympics “Healthy Athletes: Opening Eyes Screening” helping more than 80 athletes with lensometry, auto-refraction, distance VA, near VA, color & stereo, tonometry, pupillometry, frames/dispensing, among other services.

The event took place at the NSU Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus.

Posted 02/05/23

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