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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Chinese Physicians Visit NSU
Pictured (top row from left) are: Susan Ledbetter, D.O., assistant professor of family medicine and program director of the family medicine residency at Palmetto General Hospital; Marti Echols, Ph.D., assistant professor of internal medicine and assistant dean of medical education; Robin Jacobs, Ph.D., assistant professor of preventive medicine and psychiatry; Elaine Wallace, D.O., M.Sc., professor of osteopathic principles and practice and executive associate dean; and Jennie Lou, M.D., M.Sc., professor of public health and internal medicine and director of the Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics program. Bottom row (from left) are: Bai Xuesong, M.D., deputy department chief and deputy chief physician at Dazhou Central Hospital; Dr. Zhou Taiguang, M.D., professor at The Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College; Anthony J. Silvagni, D.O., Pharm.D., M.Sc., NSU-COM dean; Tian Yingwei, M.D., vice principal and deputy chief physician at Nanchong Health School of Sichuan Province; and Zhang Heping, M.D., physician in charge at The Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College.
In late August, NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) hosted a four-day training event for four Chinese physicians/educators in the area of primary care physician training, which marked the second consecutive year that COM has coordinated this education program.
In an effort to enhance primary care medicine and patient care in China, as well as meeting the challenge of large differences in quality and access to health care, the Chinese government established an edict requiring there be one family medicine clinic for every 50,000 people by 2010. Organized by the American Osteopathic Foundation and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians in partnership with Heart to Heart International, the Chinese physician delegation visited the United States to learn from American osteopathic physicians what they know best — how to provide enhanced health care to more people using limited resources.
During their stay, the Chinese physicians participated in an eclectic mix of activities ranging from academic to social. To make their South Florida experience as memorable as possible, the visiting physicians were exposed to a jam-packed agenda that included
- privacy training on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- family medicine residency curriculum design presentations
- hands-on exposure to family medicine practice in ambulatory and continuity care settings
- introduction to osteopathic manipulative treatment
- discussions on the integration of osteopathic philosophy and manipulative medicine into family medicine training
- information sharing about the college’s Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics, Master of Public Health, and Master of Science in Medical Education programs
On the social front, the visiting physicians were treated to a driving and water taxi tour of downtown Fort Lauderdale, a trip to the Miami Seaquarium, dinner in South Beach, a shopping expedition to the world-famous Sawgrass Mills outlet mall, and an authentic American barbeque hosted at the home of Ronnie and Robert Oller, D.O., who serves as CEO of the NSU Division of Clinical Operations.
“The Chinese physician delegates were very motivated by what they learned here at NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine,” said Jennie Lou, M.D., M.Sc., professor of public health and internal medicine and director of the Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics program, who also served as one of the local coordinators of the visit, along with Susan Ledbetter, D.O. “I’m proud to say that NSU-COM is helping make a difference in shaping the world’s health care system.”