COM Outlook - Summer 2015

24 Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine 25 By OMS-III Jason Faucheux Students for Life Encourages Interprofessional Participation PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES, such as education, aware- ness, and volunteer events, in relation to the compassionate resources available in the community for students dealing with life events ranging from pre-birth to natural death is what the NSU-COM Students for Life (SFL) organization is all about. SFL strives to reach out to all NSU Health Professions Division students, irrespective of their stance on life choices or spiritual beliefs, and provide a valuable educational oppor- tunity for all involved. The SFL’s goal is to work in coordination with all NSU student organizations and offer joint interprofessional opportunities for health professions students so they can meet and learn about what the community has to offer our future patients— and help us become well-rounded professionals. The idea to create this organization materialized when stu- dents requested an opportunity to learn about all the choices available in the community for women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Looking into this need and what would provide the most benefit to NSU-COM students, the group established its vision to embrace the full spectrum of life from pre-birth to natural death and end-of-life care. Since then, SFL has partnered with a geriatrics club to speak on topics such as end-of-life care, and invited hospice team members from Broward Health to educate HPD students on their experiences and help them become more compassionate physicians. Looking into the community, SFL offers volunteer events at the Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center for pregnant or parenting women who suffer from substance abuse, mental health disorders, and trauma. SFL members also volunteer at a local homeless resource center called LifeNet 4 Families, which offers food and access to basic necessities to help the homeless and families facing hardship. Students had the op- portunity to connect with these populations to learn firsthand the challenges that face this segment of the community and how everyone can help. SFL hosted a Baby Shower Donation Drive to collect baby items to donate to a local pregnancy resource center for mothers in need, which was followed by a tour to allow students to acquire a personal experience of what a pregnancy center offers the community. In addition, we partnered with the college’s Pediatrics Club and Student Organization of Obstetrics and Gynecology. An OB/GYN physician, who specializes in maternal-fetal medicine, was invited to fly in from West Virginia to speak on a unique program called Perinatal Hospice and what it offers to families with a newborn diagnosed with a life- limiting condition. A physician from Louisiana also spoke to SFL members regarding a natural approach to managing women’s health, along with infertility and pregnancy prevention, called NaPro Technology. Other invitees included executives and volunteers from the four largest South Florida pregnancy centers. Creating a healthy dialogue among medical professional students is important as we prepare for our future practice and learn what exists in the community for our patients. Students for Life is happy to offer its members the community resources, volunteer events, and education needed to become well-rounded health care professionals. Accomplishment on Display During Student Awards Ceremony Student COMmunications ON APRIL 20, numerous awards and scholarships were presented to both students and faculty members at the annual OMS-I/II Student Awards Ceremony. Students were honored in areas such as research, academic excellence, and community service, while several faculty members were presented Golden Apple Awards for their outstanding teaching abilities. Boudreau, Shenoy Receive Dr. Matthew Terry Endowment OMS-II Lauren Boudreau and OMS-I Vinayak Shenoy were the recipients of the Dr. Matthew A. Terry Scholarship Endowment. The academic accolade was established in 1999 to honor first- and second-year medical students who epitomize virtues such as scholastic excellence, service to the school, empathy, and congeniality. The endowment serves as a fitting tribute to NSU-COM students who embody the true spirit of an osteopathic practitioner. Drs. Boesler and Murdock Earn Golden Apple Awards David Boesler, D.O. , assistant professor of osteopathic principles and practice, and Edwin A. Murdock, M.D., M.P.H. , newly appointed chair of pathology in the College of Medical Sciences, were the recipients of this year’s Golden Apple Awards for their outstanding teaching skills. Dr. Boesler received his award from the class of 2018, while Dr. Murdock was honored by the class of 2017. Dr. Boesler and OMS-I Parth Gandhi Dr. Murdock with OMS-II Ravi Uppal Four Students Win Dr. Bradley I. Silverman Scholarship OMS-I Brent Lebow, OMS-I Brittany Siegel, OMS-II Debra Cheng, and OMS-III Youssef Shaban were the recipients of the Dr. Bradley I. Silverman Memorial Scholarship, which was established in 2006 to honor outstanding NSU-COM students who participate in cancer-related community service and showcase compassion, commitment, and other laudable traits exemplified by Dr. Silverman. Pictured (from left) are Brent Lebow, Brittany Siegel, Marilyn and Stanley Silverman (the parents of Dr. Bradley Silverman), Debra Cheng, and Youssef Shaban. Dr. Elaine Wallace with OMS-1 Vinayak Shenoy and OMS-II Lauren Boudreau A few Students for Life members are shown outside the Terry Building.