Students in the News
Feb. 01, 2021
NSU COP students on rotations contribute to the vaccination efforts
Broward Health Medical Center began administering the COVID19 vaccine to healthcare workers, EMS and patients aged 65 and over in January 2021. They opened a community vaccination site at Inter Miami CF Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. NSU students taking introductory and advanced pharmacy practice rotations within a Broward Health Hospital or Clinic had an opportunity to contribute to the vaccination effort.
NSU P4 student Angela Sanichar immunized her preceptor and alumni, Dr. Kaleed Mohammed ('09), Regional Manager of Pharmacy Services at Broward Health. Dr. Mohammed said, "Vaccine dose number 2 done! How cool is it to have your student give you the vaccine? Honored to have received the COVID-19 vaccine." Dr. Mohammed worked with the NSU experiential education team to coordinate scheduling of students at the stadium. Over 30 students have had a chance to immunize side by side with their pharmacist preceptors during this incredible time in their education.
Quote from NSU P3 student Matthew Madayag: "During my IPPE health system rotation, I have been able to administer the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to the employees of Broward Health Coral Springs. So far, this rotation has been very fulfilling, and I have learned a lot"
Dec. 14, 2020
TWO PHARM.D. STUDENTS HAD A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO RECONSTITUTE FOR ADMINISTRATION THE FIRST SYRINGES OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE IN SOUTH FLORIDA
On the first day the COVID-19 vaccine became available, two third-year students, Ashley Dabalsa (’22) and Laura Perez-Gutierrez (’22) had an experience of a lifetime - they were involved in reconstituting for administration the COVID-19 vaccine at Memorial Healthcare System (MHS), which was the first institution that started providing the vaccines today in South Florida.
Here is what Ashley and Laura say about the experience:
Ashley Dabalsa Pharmacy Intern, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital at MHS
"Today was one of the biggest days of my life. I was the first person to reconstitute the vial and draw up the first syringes of the COVID-19 vaccine in all of South Florida. Not only was I able to represent this amazing healthcare system that I work for, but I was able to represent …[the] Silverman College of Pharmacy … at Nova Southeastern University. Being able to be a pharmacy intern for Memorial Healthcare System gave me this opportunity of a lifetime.”
“Thanks to Dorinda Segovia [’92], I was able to have this life changing moment. God only knows how grateful and thankful I am to have such an amazing mentor as her in my life. I wouldn’t be half of the pharmacy intern that I am today if it weren’t for her guidance, advice, love and care that she gives me constantly. There is truly no one out there like her, she is truly one in a million. Thanks to her, all the executives in Memorial and our CEO Aurelio Fernandez we were 1 out of 5 hospitals in the state of Florida receiving this vaccine firsthand."
Laura Perez-Gutierrez Pharmacy Intern MHS
"This morning was one for the books! I was fortunate enough to be one of only two students from NSU's Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy who were part of the compounding for administration of the COVID-19 vaccine at Memorial Healthcare System, which was the first institution that started providing the vaccines today in South Florida.
I can’t thank you enough Dorinda Segovia for all the guidance and effort you have put into guiding me through this journey. You are a huge part of my success as a professional!”