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Lifetime Achievement 7A A Harry Rosenberg, Pharm.D., Ph.D. Co-founder and president emeritus Roseman University of Health Sciences champion for pharmacists and the advancement of pharmacy education, Harry Rosenberg co-founded the not-for-profit Roseman University of Health Sciences (originally Nevada College of Pharmacy) in 1999 in a 900-square-foot space in Henderson and a shoestring budget of just $15,000 in start-up funds. A bold move at the time – there hadn't been a new college of pharmacy started in more than 50 years that was not part of an existing institution – Rosenberg and co-founder Renee Coffman, Pharm.D., shared a common vision. "We wanted to implement a different model of pharmacy education – the block curriculum system – that we thought would be more effective than the traditional semester/quarter model," said Rosenberg, who previously served as dean of the College of Pharmacy at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Calif., as dean and professor at North Dakota State University College of Pharmacy in Fargo and as professor and chairman of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Campbell University in Buis Creek, N.C. "The block curriculum system is based on a mastery-learning philosophy, where students concentrate on one content area at a time. They are regularly assessed and have to pass every assessment at 90 percent or better before they progress to the next curriculum block." This innovative approach is not only effective – Rosenberg said the last graduating Roseman class had a passing rate of 99.45 percent on the national licensing exam – but is also attractive to students, as the model encourages coopera- EDUCATION D Dr. Randall Yee Associate professor and orthopedic program director, orthopedic surgeon Touro University and Advanced Orthopedics & Sports Medicine 20130415_VI01_I.indd 7 r. Randall Yee's pet project: helping to raise the standard of medical care in Las Vegas, by creating and building the accredited orthopedic surgery residency program at Valley Hospital Medical Center. Now completing its first year, the program is the first of its kind in Nevada. Yee is both founder and chairman. "I think that we have a stereotype in Vegas from the rest of the country that the standard of care in medicine is below average," he observed. "That's what we hear quite often. From other people coming to visit, moving here from other states. They're concerned about the medical care in Vegas." Drawing doctors to Las Vegas for advanced study is only one benefit of the new program. Yee said that it's also been nice to see doctors working side by side to make the education process extraordinary, rather than competing with each other. Two residents are enrolled, with two more on the way in July. The program will eventually build up to 10 residents. "We have one of our top guys who we picked for the next class coming in, and I think it's going to evolve," he noted. A native of Detroit, Yee has practiced since tive learning, active participation and experiential education in a noncompetitive setting. "True academic achievement requires deep learning and mastery of content that leads to understanding, the ability to apply knowledge and the ability to make wise decisions," said Rosenberg, who earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Toronto, as well as a Bachelor of Science in pharmacy, a Master of Science, a Ph.D. in biochemistry and a Pharm.D., all from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. "A successful educational experience requires an environment that is noncompetitive, that encourages communication and teamwork, and that values and responds to student needs." Under Rosenberg's leadership, the university overcame myriad initial obstacles including financing, obtaining IRS-non-profit status, incorporating, locating adequate facilities, gaining accreditation, and obtaining licensure from the Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education and has grown by leaps and bounds since its first class of students began matriculating in 2001. There are now two campuses – the 100,000-square-foot Henderson facility and a South Jordan, Utah, outlet, which opened in 2006 – with more than 1,300 combined students and close to 400 employees. With an operating budget in excess of $70 million, it now offers colleges of pharmacy, nursing and dental medicine, as well as an MBA program. Rosenberg said the university could expand into additional arenas as well, all the while staying on the cutting edge of technology. With the success and stellar reputation of Roseman University firmly established, Rosenberg relinquished the reigns and stepped down as president last December, and now serves as president emeritus, although he was given a three-year ancillary contract to focus exclusively on strategic growth in areas including enhanced research productivity and enhanced clinical offerings, reporting directly to the board. "(Harry Rosenberg) has been a superb and collaborative president, leading the university with great integrity and vision," said Diana Bond, chair of the board of trustees. "We look forward to continuing our work with him in a strategic role as we expand Roseman University's influence in health care education both regionally and nationally." Roseman co-founder Coffman, who was named Rosenberg's successor, also offered accolades. "Under President Rosenberg's leadership, the university experienced tremendous growth and success, and I look forward to working with the board of trustees, administration, faculty, staff, alumni and students to continue building this extraordinary institution," Coffman said. The author of numerous publications in scientific and educational journals who focuses his research activities on secondary complications of diabetes, Rosenberg is active with the American Pharmacists Association and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. However, as he eases into retirement, Rosenberg is directing his attention more and more toward woodworking and golf. "I maybe work 60 percent of the time now, which is a lot less stressful," he said. —Danielle Birkin 2001, and specializes in shoulders and knees. He moved to Las Vegas in 2004, and founded Advanced Orthopedics & Sports Medicine the following year. But his aspirations began in the eighth grade, when he broke his ankle playing soccer, and a physician helped him put it right. "I thought he was close to God because he fixed me and got me back playing again," he recalled. "And I thought, this is something I could possibly do." Later, a sports medicine fellowship made that possibility a reality. Yee has gone on duty at plenty of events in which people need fixing – as a NASCAR, PGA Tour, USA Boxing and Mr. Olympia physician, among other responsibilities he's assumed over the years. He remembers a few crashes, not to mention the guy attempting to bench press approximately 1,000 pounds. The bar rolled off and landed on his chest. The crew moved the bar, did an evaluation, and sent him to the hospital. Did he survive? "He was fine," Yee said. "I got his phone number and I called him that night to make sure he was OK." That's not the only kindness Yee has extended to patients. He's structured his office to allow same-day appointments – not the weeks of waiting experienced by some patients in line for other orthopedists. He also goes the extra mile for his students, who motivate him, he said, to keep his "nose in the books and keep reading on what's current." While he doesn't take care of feet, ankles and hands, he added, residency doctors come through with questions about foot and ankle. That means more reading and education, for Yee to stay ahead of the learning curve. With all that education, one of the great surprises of his career is the body's ability to heal itself. "We intervene a lot, but I don't know if we need to, on a lot of things," he mused. "And that's how I feel in my practice. I tend to deal with it conservatively, without surgery." The surprise hasn't been wasted on him in years of trauma work with patients who've emerged from car accidents, shootings, and other crushing circumstances. "The traumas are unique, because you see patients who are pretty much mangled up, and some of them are barely alive," he said. "And they come in the office two or three weeks later smiling and doing well. It's just rewarding to see that you actually made a difference in someone's life. You actually saved a life or saved a limb." —Gina Rose DiGiovanna. 4/11/13 3:12:13 PM