NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY: HEROES ON THE FRONTLINES
The NSU community has adapted to the “new normal” in the past few months.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has created an unparalleled time for everyone, the spirit and resiliency shown by NSU alumni and frontline workers are truly inspiring.

This special-edition newsletter features Sharks who are making a difference in their communities. Have your own story to share? Email us at alumni@nova.edu .

We are ALL IN this together.
Randy Katz, D.O., ('99) serves as Chairman of Emergency Medicine at Memorial Healthcare Systems.

He leads a team of 300 nurses and 32 doctors while also serving as lead medical consultant for the City of Hollywood COVID-19 task force.

Early on in the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Katz worked with his team at Hollywood Memorial Regional Hospital to prepare their operations for potential patients.

Among his many roles, Katz advises the community on health issues as medical director for the City of Hollywood and associate medical director for the City of Pembroke Pines.  Read more >
Richard Ashworth, Pharm.D., ('99) serves as a critical member on the White House's Coronavirus Task Force.

Ashworth is President of Walgreens and Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Drug Chain Stores.

His latest nationwide update addresses ongoing expansion of COVID-19 testing through public-private partnerships and removing remaining barriers so registered pharmacists may order and administer tests seen as vital to public health and to re-igniting the economy. Read more >
Payal Salzburg (J.D. ’08) , a partner of  Laredo & Smith LLP,  signed on to assist doctors and nurses with patient discharges and escorts at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she spends as many as 30 hours volunteering during this crisis.

After she puts in a full day of legal work, Salsburg, who practices commercial litigation and white collar criminal defense, volunteers at the Boston hospital for two hours each weeknight. Her volunteer tasks include helping patients throughout their time in the hospital and providing staff members with clean masks and hand sanitizer when they start their shift. Read more >
Robert Solomon (J.D. ’06)  and  Ariel Saban (J.D. ’06)  rented a food truck to deliver lunches to police officers and public servants.
 
As a result of their efforts, they have served over 700 hot meals to workers on the frontlines and are even receiving donations from others in the community to expand their impact.

"The food truck is something we would like to continue doing even after the country reopens," said Soloman. "By bringing awareness to our cause it has brought in donations from various local businesses which will enable us to continue giving back."
Marcia Kesner, Ph.D. (Criminal Justice ‘19)  is a psychotherapist who works with adolescent and adult patients in New York City. 

Many of her patients have experienced trauma earlier in their lives. The pandemic is reigniting mental health concerns for those previously diagnosed with a mental illness and stirring up severe discomfort for those who were more emotionally healthy.

Kesner is working with patients to address mental health concerns and provide treatment options during these times of uncertainty.


NSU’s programs in Respiratory Therapy in the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences loaned eight ventilators to local hospitals in the Palm Beach area that may be short during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Six ventilators went to Wellington Regional Medical Center and two to Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. It is anticipated that healthcare facilities will need extra ventilators to manage patients during this pandemic. In addition to the loaned hardware, NSU has provided educational support from faculty in the Department of Cardiopulmonary Sciences. Read more >

Lourice Adili (M.O.T. '17) changed her patient care methods to minimize risks for elderly patients, while providing them with vital therapy sessions.

Senior residents of the Atria at Villages of Windsor would typically leave their homes to attend appointments. In order to properly help these residents without exposing them to COVID-19 risks, Adili, who works for Metro Physical and Occupational Therapy, opts to treat seniors in their respective units as a preventative measure.
NSU Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residents and program director Dr. Shawn McClure are covering both Level One Trauma Centers at Broward Health and Memorial Regional Hospital for Maxillofacial trauma as part of the Trauma Team 24/7.

The residents are also being assigned to General Surgery or the ER as needed on a daily basis, along with operating on head and neck cancer patients as they are cleared by each respective hospital.
NSU's Jacksonville Campus students, faculty, and staff are continuing to support local hospitals by donating supplies and providing food to hospital heroes.

They have worked with facilities including St. Vincent's Southside and Baptist Hospital Downtown, and will continue their outreach efforts to help the community.
NSU's Physical Therapy Department within the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences donated much needed personal protective equipment (PPE) to the staff at Cleveland Clinic, which is the workplace of many NSU alumni and clinical instructors. Read more >
Jade Wollschlaeger ('18) is a graduate of the physician assistant program at NSU working in the heart of the COVID-19 outbreak.

She currently serves as an emergency medicine physician assistant at the New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Ashley Williams  is a two-time NSU alumna, (B.S. '11, and Masters in Human Services Child Protection ’14).

She’s a current law enforcement officer at a local precinct and on the frontlines daily serving and protecting our community.
Joe Pepe Ed.D. ('10) is the health officer for three counties in Florida: Charlotte, Hendry and Glades. He works with the Florida Department of Health to prepare for and address health concerns in the community during these times.
Crystal Romero, M.D. (B.S. Biology '10 ) is a resident physician in Bronx, NY. She shared her honesty about being a frontline worker entitled Physicians On The Frontline Don’t Have The Luxury Of Fear.

Tiffany Tomas (BSN '18) is on the frontlines as an ICU nurse.

She currently works at Mount Sinai Medical Center.

In light of the global pandemic, NSU will participate in  #GivingTuesdayNow , a global day of unity and support in response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. 

Make a gift to the NSU COVID-19 Student Support Fund or learn more at: www.nova.edu/allin
Nova Southeastern University Alumni Relations and Annual Giving