NSU is Equipping Next Generation of Health Care Leaders in Florida

The health care landscape of South Florida is changing with the expansion of Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and its considerable investments in health education, health care, and biomedical research. With access to quality health care becoming more and more important, NSU is stepping up to create a healthy ecosystem.

Johannes W. Vieweg, M.D., FACS, founding dean, Nova Southeastern University College of Allopathic Medicine

As a world-class research university, it is our obligation to educate our community on how to live healthier, longer and better. We are partnering and integrating resources with key stakeholders, including business and government leaders, community partners, private organizations and other health care entities to improve community health.

With many leading physician member-based organizations predicting a nationwide doctor shortage, NSU is making significant investments in training the next generation of health care leaders throughout Florida.

Our Fort Lauderdale campus is transforming with a new medical school opening along with the construction of a new HCA teaching and research hospital and a medical education complex. This will spark major growth and opportunity with NSU’s economic impact in Florida projected to reach $5 billion by 2020.

Later this month, we will welcome our first class of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree candidates, making NSU the only university in the southeastern United States to offer both the M.D. and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree, and the only university in the nation to offer both programs in the same location.  We will celebrate this milestone with the first joint white coat ceremony highlighted by keynote addresses from medical leaders Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges, and Stephen C. Shannon, D.O., M.P.H., president of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

The M.D. program housed within the NSU Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine is redesigning the way doctors are trained through an active learning curriculum that focuses on developing analytical and problem-solving skills to increase efficiency and emphasize medical outcomes. Medical students will have an inside view on how discoveries are translated from the bench to the bedside to become an improved treatment option, giving both physicians and patients a competitive edge.

We are developing the next generation of physician leaders by providing our students the skills they need to practice medicine and adapt in a constantly evolving health care landscape. NSU’s student body is one of the most diverse in the nation and our physician graduates will be prepared to interact with and understand the needs of the residents of our community and state.

We look forward to working with you — the leaders and residents of South Florida — to advance human health.

Johannes W. Vieweg, M.D., FACS, is founding dean of the Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine.

Nova Southeastern University fully supports an individual’s right to express their viewpoint and opinions. The views expressed in this guest editorial are that of Johannes W. Vieweg, M.D., FACS, and are not necessarily those of NSU, its president or Board of Trustees.

This editorial appeared in the Sun Sentinel and can be viewed by clicking HERE.