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HEALTHCARE EDUCATION HEALTHCARE EDUCATION HEALTHCARE EDUCATION

Medical School Focuses on Patients,

Teamwork and Problem-Solving

BY DANIEL CASCIATO heavy emphasis on research, technology retain information better than other
and innovation. teaching methods,” says Dr. Vieweg.
In just its second year of existence, Students train to become active learn- “When you cram things in your mind,
over 7,000 prospective medical students ers, work in smaller groups, (seven to you forget it as quickly as you acquire it.”
applied to fill 50 available slots next fall eight students per cohort), and learn to Unlike other medical schools across
at the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of solve medical problems through active the country, Dr. Vieweg says they are not
Allopathic Medicine at Nova South - inquiry, with a faculty facilitator. focused solely on MCAT scores or a stu-
eastern University (NSU MD). Students will also learn alongside others dent’s GPA as predictors of student suc-
Johannes W. Vieweg, M.D., FACS, the who are training as pharmacists, nurses, cess. Since the curriculum is also
medical school’s founding dean, credits speech-language pathologists, physical designed to develop physician leaders,
this demand to its hybrid, problem-based therapists, occupational therapists and they look at prospective students who
learning curriculum. other health care specialists. are independent self-starters.
“This shows that the thirst for innova- “Classes such as anatomy or physiolo- The admissions committee uses a
tion and different type of learning is gy are taught around a specific clinical Multi-Mini Interview (MMI) process to
intriguing to many prospective students case,” explains Dr. Vieweg. “Data have evaluate non-cognitive qualities and
even though we are still a new school,” shown that this type of problem-based skills. Applicants move through short,
he says. Dr. Johannes W. Vieweg learning is an effective tool to engage structured interview stations where
NSU MD wants to limit its capacity to your students. We introduce a case to the interviewers will be exploring their
50 students per year to keep class sizes learn more about the health system of the students and then they have to quiz responses to prompts regarding the fol-
small. It is the only university in the future instead of learning about the same themselves and each other and figure out lowing:
southeastern United States and the first things other students are learning.” what’s happening.” • Ethical decision making
in Florida to house both an osteopathic The medical school curriculum was By using clinical cases and this team- • Critical thinking
medical school and an allopathic medical designed by a team of 100 medical edu- based approach, Dr. Vieweg says that stu- • Communication skills
school on the same campus. cators, physicians and researchers with dents can solve complex problems by • Current healthcare and
Building a medical school from the decades of field experience. honing their diagnosis and communica- societal issues
ground up was a challenge that Dr. At the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of tion skills. The program leverages both • Abilities to succeed in a patient-cen-
Vieweg relished. Allopathic Medicine, you will not find simulated patients and real-world exam- tered hybrid, case- and problem-based
“Having this incredible opportunity passive, lecture-style teaching, notes Dr. ples in progressively more difficult learning curriculum
and task to build a medical school and Vieweg. Rather, the curriculum is encounters. There is also an emphasis on “Through this process, we look at their
shaping it to support new developments designed to prepare students to interact cultural competence. Ultimately, the goal personality as well as potential for lead-
in health education and research was with patients and health care team mem- is for students to master critical thinking; ership and maturity,” says Dr. Vieweg.
exciting to me,” he says. “A new school bers more effectively. build their diagnosis and detective skills; “We want to see more self-starters who
has more flexibility and, what I call— According to the school’s website, the and interact with patients as the center of can master this curriculum.”
‘unencumberedness’—meaning that we innovative curriculum integrates didac- every case.
don’t have a legacy system. As a result, tics on ethics and humanities, genomics, “It’s a different, active learning curricu- For more information, visit
we’re more flexible to try new and inno- inter-professional collaboration, biomed- lum that is challenging, but at the same https://md.nova.edu/.
vative things and allow our students to ical informatics, and leadership, with time, allows students to learn better and

Cover Story: Nexus University: Programs Designed for Career Building

Continued from page 1 student population reflects community hours with 400 clinical hours and can be conducted in English but all support
the Nexus RN to BSN programming on diversity and faculty applies evidence- completed in five sequential semesters. services are bi-lingual. We are planning
flexibility for those with their profession- based teaching methods to prepare stu- Upon completion, the graduate is eligible to expand course offerings and targeting
al nursing licenses. The licensed regis- dents to deal with the cultural diversity for the Clinical Nurse Certification in the future to include ancillary health
tered nurse or associate degree or diplo- they are sure to encounter during their exam. services and Emergency Medical Services
ma nurse can earn a baccalaureate degree careers. Nurses, many of whom completed technicians to enhance their proficiency
in three sequential semesters. The online In addition to the evidence-based training 20 or 30 years ago, often seek to and aptitude in their quest for career
format provides the flexibility for those online and cohort academic learning blend their clinical nursing familiarity advancement,” she said.
who need to do their coursework after background, there is an 8-week commu- with business skills vital to advancing in In addition to the School of Health
they complete their 8-hour workday, nity clinical experience provided in clin- their profession. When they land leader- Sciences and Nursing, Nexus also
whether that is at 5 pm or 3 am. The ics, healthcare facilities or medical ship opportunities, they are immersed in includes a School of Business granting
online program provides 24/7 tech sup- offices to ensure that students can trans- a full repertoire of responsibilities bachelor and master degrees in the theo-
port and current technology providing late their current theoretical framework beyond direct patient care. ries and practices of the modern business
individual attention from faculty within in an actual patient care setting including Dr. Bailey explained, “Leadership world. Nexus University is licensed by
a cohort format in classes for academic unique aspects of mental health, correc- issues include policy making for ethics, the Florida Commission for Independent
qualifications. tional institutions or travel nursing. This finance, informatics and research. Our Education and, as a branch campus of
Additionally, there is a physical cam- also is a win-win teaching experience students matriculate through programs UMayor, is accredited by the Middle
pus with a computer access lab, study providing fresh nursing ideas and super- that are designed to build these talents. States Commission on Higher Education
rooms, nursing labs, open spaces and a vised professional care to the community Nexus is very proud of our commitment (MSCHE). Nexus is a member of Florida
cafeteria for those who need to get out of while building the hands-on credentials to one-on-one faculty/student interac- Association of Postsecondary Schools
the house or workplace to study and students need to practice their nursing tion, so graduates are prepared with lis- and Colleges. Universidad Mayor is a
meet with classmates on projects. and ancillary skills in real time environ- tening, cultural sensitivity and business member of the Hispanic Association of
According to Dr. Bailey, the cohort dis- ments and situations. leadership skills to enhance the patient Colleges and Universities.
cussion learning is based on practice not care delivery system where they work.”
just theory. Evidence-based learning MSN Leader Role Jessica Suito, Director of Finance and For information, visit
from bedside and clinic experience is Nexus also provides a Master of Operations, echoed Bailey’s enthusiasm. www.nexusuniversity.com, call
designed to improve care and implement Science in Nursing to prepare practicing “As a young organization, Nexus faculty (305) 537-4802, or email
change. Staff and students incorporate it nurses to fulfill a clinical nurse leader and staff are receptive to new ideas in info@nexusuniversity.com.
into every class project. Additionally, the role. The program is 36 semester credit health care education. All classes are

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14 November 2019 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News