COM Outlook - Summer 2015

BLENDING HER DESIRE to build a better community with the multifaceted skills and comprehensive focus of an osteopathic physician, Elyse Julian, D.O., represents the highest aspirations of the class of 2015. Growing up in Plantation, Florida, Dr. Julian was part of “a big, Brady Bunch -style family with seven brothers and a sister” and was interested in medicine from an early age. “Becoming a physician seemed more like a dream than a realistic possibility,” Dr. Julian explained. “Saying that I wanted to become a doctor was a lot like a child saying he or she wanted to become a prince or princess. Sure, it seems amazing, but how in the world could an average person even go about getting there? It took a life-changing event to show me that life is short, and that, in order to feel fulfilled, I needed to decide what I wanted in life and keep working to achieve my goal. “In 2006, while attending the University of Central Florida, a highly intoxicated man in his 20s staggered off the sidewalk and into the street immediately in front of the car I was a passenger in,” she added. “The laughter that had filled the car moments before suddenly shifted into an ominous silence while we sat motionless.” Overcoming the shock of seeing the injured man, Dr. Julian leapt into action to save his life. “I jumped out of the car, ran over to him, felt for a pulse, and sat in the middle of the road applying pressure to stop the bleeding.” Paramedics arrived and rushed the man to the hospital. He died shortly thereafter. Not surprisingly, the experience affected Dr. Julian profoundly. “I hated the extreme feeling of uselessness I felt that night, along with the constant worry if there was something more I could have done while sitting there with him that may have somehow changed his outcome,” she admitted. “These feelings are what sparked an overwhelming drive to become more informed and, ultimately, go to medical school.” 12 Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine 13 Graduation Dinner Commissioning Ceremony NSU-COM was proud to host its annual promotion commissioning ceremony for graduating seniors who will be entering the armed services of the United States. The event, which was established in 2005 to honor and showcase support for graduates who will be doing medical tours of duty in the armed services, is held annually to facilitate the promotion of these young officers from the rank of second lieutenant (army or air force) or ensign (navy) to the rank of captain (army or air force) or lieutenant (navy). These young men and women have attended NSU-COM via the armed services Health Professions Scholarship Program. The graduates have committed to serve in the U.S. armed forces for a minimum of eight years as part of their scholarship obligation. Most will be pursuing graduate medical education opportunities within the armed services after leaving NSU-COM. This year’s ceremony was presided over by Richard G. Malish, M.D., who currently holds the rank of colonel in the United States Army. Following are the graduates (by specific service) who were recognized at the ceremony: United States Army Captain Alexander Angelidis, D.O. Captain Justin Bacon, D.O. Captain Curt Canine, D.O. Captain Matthew Cooper, D.O. Captain Seth Short, D.O. Captain Zachary Skurski, D.O. United States Navy Lieutenant Andrew Garrett, D.O. Lieutenant Zachary Harris, D.O. United States Air Force Captain Michael Benko, D.O. Captain Lauren Hensley, D.O. CLASS OF 2015 SPOTLIGHT Cultivating a Fully Focused Success Dr. Elyse Julian By Debra R. Gibbs, B.A. Medical Communications Coordinator 2015 NSU-COM Commissioning Ceremony Attendees