Osteopathic Principles and Practice

Faculty Listing

• Elaine Wallace, D.O., M.Sc., Professor and Chair
• Eric Shamus, P.T., Ph.D., Associate Professor
• Mark Sandhouse, D.O., Associate Professor
• Andrew Kusienski, D.O., Assistant Professor
• David Boesler, D.O., Associate Professor
• Yasmin Hussain-Qureshi, M.P.T
• Stephen Russo, Ph.D, Assistant Professor

Overview

Elaine Wallace, D.O., M.Sc., Professor and Chair
Phone: (954) 262-1457
Email: ewallace@nsu.nova.edu

The Department of Osteopathic Principles and Practice (OPP) is a collegium of physicians, academicians, ancillary health providers, post graduate Fellows and undergraduate Fellows who are dedicated to the preservation and teaching of the history and philosophy of osteopathic medicine as developed by A.T. Still, M.D., D.O., and to the dynamic advancement of osteopathic medicine in the 21st century.

The OPP faculty includes practitioners certified in Pediatrics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Family Medicine, Sports Medicine, Cranial Osteopathy, Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine, Neurophysiology, Physical Therapy, Acupuncture and Psychology. The Department delivers instruction in Osteopathic Medicine to the Year 1 and Year 2 medical students, regular educational programs to Year 3 and Year 4 medical students, Osteopathic Postgraduate Training Institute (OPTI) interns and residents, as well as continuing medical education.

The Department runs an outpatient clinic, is actively involved in research, and delivers lectures and collaborative presentations in the Departments of Family Medicine, Alternative Medicine, Athletic Training, and all Clinical Systems. The Department offers a one year Undergraduate Teaching Fellowship to osteopathic students who are interested in the development of advanced skills in manipulative medicine. The Department also runs a one-year post graduate subspecialty residency in Sports Medicine. Department members lecture on national and international levels, and are strongly involved in the preparation of national board examinations. The OPP Department is also heavily involved in national and international community service.

Department Goals

• To educate students and faculty about the history and philosophy of osteopathic medicine as developed by A.T. Still, M.D., D.O.
• To familiarize students with the concepts of wellness, health, and preventive medicine as articulated by Dr. Still
• To familiarize students with the concepts of disease and a return to wellness as articulated by Dr. Still
• To educate students in the biomechanical and neurophysiologic functions of the human body
• To expose students to common syndromes seen by the primary care physician as well as the OMM specialist and the sports medicine specialist
• To promote competency in the delivery of manipulative treatments with modalities including muscle energy, counterstrain, high velocity low amplitude technique, articulatory techniques, myofascial release and osteopathy in the cranial field
• To provide training to students and residents in the subspecialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine
• To provide instruction to students seeking advanced training in manipulative medicine
• To actively participate in the development of osteopathic research and knowledge on a national and international level
• To actively promote osteopathic medicine on local, national and international levels

Eric Shamus, P.T., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Year I Class Coordinator, Sports Medicine Clinic Director
Phone: 954-262-1153
Email: eshamus@nsu.nova.edu

The Department is committed to advancing the understanding of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) as a treatment technique and to understanding how best to train future osteopathic physicians in this skill. To this end, all department members are engaged in research focused on determining mechanisms, efficacy and characteristics of both palpatory diagnosis and OMT. Our research programs attract national and international collaboration. We encourage research involvement by interested students outside the department.

Each year, the Department’s Undergraduate Teaching Fellows and the Sports Medicine Fellows engage in ongoing departmental research and develop research projects of their own. All Fellows are given additional training in osteopathic research design and methods.

The Departmental research projects include:

• The Effects of Cranial Manipulation on Visual Function
• The Characteristics of Palpation used by Osteopathic Physicians and Physical Therapists
• The Characteristics of High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude Thrust Techniques used by Osteopathic Physicians
• The Effects on Active Range of Motion of OMT in Low Back Pain Patients
• The Correlation between Chinese Auricular Acupuncture Points and Diagnosed Thoracic and Lumbar Somatic Dysfunction

For information click on how to apply for a research experience in the OPP Department.

Eric Shamus, P.T., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Year I Class Coordinator, Sports Medicine Clinic Director
Phone: (954) 262-1153
Email: eshamus@nsu.nova.edu

The OPP Department contains a Physical Therapy component. Physical Therapy incorporates biomechanical analysis, orthotics and bracing, rehabilitation, sports medicine, manual therapy and strengthening and conditioning. Internships in Physical Therapy are available. Physical therapy interns have the ability to learn advanced manual techniques and are provided with academic opportunities. Current physical therapists may participate in available continuing education in the OPP department.

Physical therapy students will have the opportunity to work directly with osteopathic physicians and fellows in the clinic. Learning opportunities are available in advanced manipulative techniques, therapeutic exercise, orthotics and bracing, and modalities including laser therapy. Students will have the opportunity to observe acupuncture and injection therapy. In conjunction with the University clinic, students have the opportunity to attend lectures, labs, and journal article discussions on manipulative techniques and medical articles.

If you are interested in completing a Physical Therapy Internship, please see the APTA CSIF form. The clinic is located on the Davie, Florida campus of Nova Southeastern University and 30th Avenue, 3rd Floor, Suite 4316. The direct clinic number is 954-262-5590.

Division of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine

Mark Sandhouse, D.O., Associate Professor and Chair
Phone: (954) 262-4321
Email: marksand@nsu.nova.edu
The Division of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (NMS) provides instruction in the history and philosophy of osteopathic medicine, biomechanics, and function of the neuromusculoskelatal system and structural diagnosis, and manipulative medicine techniques. Department members help students integrate OPP and OMT skills into all aspects of medical practice.

First and second year students receive extensive training via lectures and Clinical Osteopathic Practicum sessions. Third and fourth year students continue their NMS training by participation in educational sessions at their OPTI training sites. A one-month rotation is available to fourth year osteopathic medical students, click here for information on a Student rotation in NMS. Osteopathic training continues into the residency years with NMS workshops for NSU affiliated residents, as well as one-month rotations within the outpatient clinic, click here for information on a Resident rotation in NMS.

The OPP pre-doctoral teaching Fellowship Program is a unique opportunity that is designed to expand the educational and clinical opportunities for selected students. It expands the medical school training period from four to five years by converting the two-year clinical clerkship into a three-year Fellowship. Each Fellow completes a full complement of clinical rotations, in addition to a twelve-month Fellowship period that is incorporated into the rotation schedule.

The Fellows assist in all classroom and practical training activities, as well as the development of, and participation in, research projects. Fellows also provide clinical services under the supervision of faculty members. A Fellowship Certificate is awarded upon completion of the program. For further information, click on the OPP fellowship fact sheet or contact Mark Sandhouse, D.O., Director of OPP Fellowship at marksand@nsu.nova.edu or (954) 262-4321.

OPTI Program

The OPTI program is an advanced state of the art compressed video distance learning program. The program is designed to provide medical students, interns, residents, and attending physicians with the opportunity for on-site hospital continuing medical education from the NSU-COM campus. The program is available to all members of the NSU-COM Consortium for Excellence in Medical Education (CEME).

The Department of OPP provides a lecture series on basic osteopathic principles and practice in a clinical and/or hospital environment. Department members also deliver morning rounds at affiliate OPTI training hospitals as well as OMM workshops for CEME residents. For further information, please contact Dr. DeGaetano, Executive Director of CEME at (954) 262-1433.

Andrew Kusienski, D.O., Assistant Professor and Division Chair of Sports Medicine
Phone: (954) 262-5590
Email: kusiensK@nova.edu

The Division of Sports Medicine consists of practitioners certified in Family Medicine, Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine, Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation, Orthopedics, Physical Therapy, Nutrition, Sport Psychology and Sports Medicine.

This group of practitioners uses an osteopathic approach to Sports Medicine. They offer a broad spectrum of non-surgical modalities including OMT, injections, strength and conditioning, and rehabilitation to address musculoskeletal disorders. The Division addresses all aspects of medical care for the athlete.

The Division offers a one-year post-residency fellowship in Sports Medicine, open to AOA primary care board certified physicians. For more information, click here for information on the Residency in Sports Medicine.

Sports Medicine Clinic

Watch the Video (2:28 stream)

NSU’s Center for Psychological Studies and the College of Osteopathic Medicine have partnered to create a unique, jointly appointed faculty position in sport psychology.

The primary objectives for the NSU Sport Psychology program include:

• Teaching athletes, coaches, and teams about the effective use of psychological skills in their pursuit of athletic excellence.
• Providing sport medicine professionals with alternative treatment options when assisting patients in their recovery from physical injury.
• Creating training opportunities for psychologists-in-training who have an interest in sport, exercise, and health-related interventions.
• Conducting psychological research in the areas of sport and exercise psychology and also engaging in collaborative research projects with professionals in osteopathic medicine, physical therapy, sports medicine, and athletic training.

For further information, click here for an overview of the Sport Psychology program.

Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Ronald Tolchin D.O., FAAPM&R, Associate Professor and Chair
Phone: (305) 604-3261
Email: tolchinr@bellsouth.net

The Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation provides a unique experience for the Osteopathic student to learn from and interact with patients who have various impairments and disabilities. There is first-hand exposure to outpatient and hospitalized patients in an acute rehabilitation setting where the student can examine patients and follow as they receive comprehensive therapy services. In addition, the student will see patients in an office-based practice focusing on musculoskeletal injuries, neuromuscular diseases, nerve injuries, sports medicine, and pain management. They will be able to assist in the delivery of services including OMM, injections, electrodiagnosis, and pain management interventions.

The student will assimilate their skills of Osteopathic medicine to comprehensively manage these patients and provide a hands on approach to patient care. This will attempt to maximize the individual’s functional status and return them to an independent lifestyle.