NSU’s Health Professions Division Hosts 31st Annual Bal Fantastique

Barry Silverman, NSU President Dr. George Hanbury, Anthony N. Ottaviani, NSU Health Professions Division Chancellor Fred Lippman

More than 300 community leaders, philanthropists, and NSU faculty, students and leadership recently joined together to celebrate the 31^st Annual Bal Fantastique at Hyatt Regency Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale.

Hosted by NSU’s Health Professions Division (HPD), guests enjoyed dinner and dancing while supporting a worthy cause. The black-tie event raised funds to support educational and community programs in areas such as osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, optometry, health care sciences, medical sciences, dental medicine, nursing, and allopathic medicine.

Anthony N. Ottaviani, D.O., M.P.H., MACOI, FCCP, and Barry Silverman, M.D., were honored with the HPD Distinguished Service Award for their numerous contributions to the health care field and NSU in particular.

“On behalf of Nova Southeastern University’s Health Professions Division, I am proud to celebrate the contributions of these two outstanding physicians to the field of medicine and health care,” said Fred Lippman, R.Ph., Ed.D., HPD chancellor. “Dr. Ottaviani and Dr. Silverman are both fully committed to the next generation of our community and are well deserving of this honor.”

Dr. Ottaviani has practiced medicine in the field of pulmonary and critical care medicine for more than 40 years. During that time, he has been passionately engaged in osteopathic medical education, serving on the American College of Osteopathic Internists Council on Education and Evaluation, American Osteopathic Association’s Commission, Council on Continuing Medical Education, and other committees.  He served on the Board of Trustees for the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association (FOMA) and was elected president in 2008. He was recognized as its Physician of the Year, as well as with the FOMA Lifetime Achievement Award. He was elected 2014 president of the American Osteopathic Foundation’s Board of Directors and previously chaired its Scholarship Committee. He currently serves as clinical professor of internal medicine and regional dean for NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. He also is a member of the Board of Governors for NSU’s Health Professions Division.

Dr. Silverman is a retired physician, orthopedic surgeon and active investor in health care and real estate. His early service in the U.S. Army as an orthopedic surgeon in Vietnam inspired him to pursue a life of community service. During the past 40 years, he has helped create the scoliosis screening program for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, served as chair and medical adviser to the Easter Seals of South Florida and founded Camp Yofi, a camp for children with autism and their families. Silverman has been a member of Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Executive Board of Trustees and is a long-term member of NSU’s Board of Trustees, currently serving as vice chair. In addition, he serves on the Board of Governors for NSU’s Health Professions Division and NSU’s Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale.

Funds raised from Bal Fantastique will benefit Realizing Potential – The Campaign for Nova Southeastern University and support HPD programs both within the classroom and in practical settings. In an effort to provide a well-rounded and community-focused educational experience, HPD students have the opportunity to participate in medical outreach programs to the Caribbean, South America and other areas around the world; see patients at NSU’s Health Care Centers; and volunteer their time at numerous free health fairs the university holds for the public.

Sponsors of the event included Adolfo Cotilla, AIA, ACAI Associates; Akhil Agrawal, president, AMD; ANF Group; Calvin, Giordano & Associates, Inc.; NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine; Raymond G. Crawford, Crawford Tracey Corporation; Grycon; Hill York; The Miniaci Family; and Geraldine Terry.