Pulse Check with Dean Nelson - August 2025
Sharing thoughts, laughs, and a little wisdom!
Welcome to the inaugural edition of "Pulse Check with Dean Nelson"! As we embark on this new academic journey together, I'm reminded of Newton's timeless wisdom: "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." In medicine, we are all building on the foundation laid by those who came before us—from the pioneering physicians who shaped our profession to the faculty and mentors who guide each new generation of healers.
Setting the Stage for Excellence
The Schmidt College of Medicine stands at an incredible moment in its evolution. This fall, we welcomed our 15th class of medical students—fifteen years of commitment. That's enough time to see a kindergartner graduate high school, and we've watched our college grow from infancy to full academic maturity - truly standing on the shoulders of the visionaries who founded our institution.
We've built a strong foundation as a community-based medical school, but our vision extends far beyond where we are today. I see us transforming into a leading academic health hub – a central point where education, research, and clinical excellence converge to advance healthcare throughout our region. This means expanding beyond traditional medical education to become a driving force for innovation, discovery, and optimized patient care across South Florida.
Looking ahead, we are excited about the transformative growth of our college. With our recent seed funding from the state legislature for our new Health Sciences Training and Research Facility, we are building the infrastructure that will help bring this vision to life. We are renovating our simulation center, growing our clinical faculty, and hiring Ph.D. researchers—all steps toward ensuring that future generations of healthcare professionals have even more impressive opportunities ahead.
As the saying goes, "A rising tide lifts all boats." At Florida Atlantic University, our strong sense of belonging defines us. Whether you are a medical student, faculty member, researcher, community partner, or healthcare professional in our region, we all share the same goals. Our success depends on how well we collaborate, support each other across disciplines, and remain focused on our shared mission of improving healthcare for everyone we serve.
Welcome to Our MedOwls
To our new faculty, staff, students, and trainees: you've joined something special. You are not just entering an academic institution, you are becoming MedOwls who value innovation, excellence, and are committed to improving healthcare outcomes.
To our regional partners, alumni, donors, and supporters: your continued partnership helps make our ambitious goals achievable. Together, we are building something that will benefit our region for generations to come.
Speaking of introductions, there is a classic line from The Princess Bride: "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." While most of us won't be on a quest for retribution (thankfully!), there is something we can learn from Inigo's direct, memorable introduction.
Inigo's Guide to Professional Introduction Success:
- POLITE GREETING - "Hello" (always start professionally)
- NAME - "My name is Inigo Montoya" (clear identification)
- RELEVANT PERSONAL CONNECTION - "You killed my father" (why this matters)
- MANAGE EXPECTATIONS - "Prepare to die" (what happens next)
Now, let's apply this to healthcare settings. Instead of "Hi, I'm the medical student," try: "Hello, I'm Lewis Nelson, I'm a third-year medical student working with Dr. Caceres, and I'll be helping with your care today." Notice how this follows Inigo's formula—polite greeting, clear name, relevant connection (working with Dr. Caceres), and managed expectations (helping with care).
Imagine if Inigo had worn one of our standard name badges—it might have looked something like this:
While we don't typically list "revenge specialist" as a clinical specialty, the principle remains the same: clear identification builds trust and sets expectations.
The same principle applies whether you are meeting research collaborators, community partners, or prospective students. Your introduction sets the tone for every professional interaction. Make it count— you might not be preparing for an epic adventure, but you are building meaningful relationships that advance our mission.
Remember: a great introduction opens doors, builds trust, and shows respect for the person you are meeting. Whether you are in healthcare, education, business, or any other field, that's significant!