FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2014

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TALLAHASSEE—State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong delivered the commencement address to the 2014 health profession graduates of Nova Southeastern University (NSU) on May 18. As part of the ceremony, the university granted the honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, to Dr. Armstrong.

“Nova Southeastern University has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading research institutions and is a model of educational innovation through community engagement,” said Dr. Armstrong. “It was a wonderful privilege to speak to this year’s graduates, families, and friends, and I am humbled to receive this honorary degree from the university.”

During his address, Dr. Armstrong encouraged the graduating physicians, dentists, optometrists, pharmacists, physical therapists, and public health professionals to consider their legacies for health and urged them to make their personal health a priority in order to provide the highest quality care to their patients. He noted, “It is your health that gives you the stamina for patient care, sets the example for your patients and community, and enriches your personal and professional relationships. The greatest resource that you bring to each day is your time, so manage time to protect, promote, and improve your own health, as you work to do the same for patients.”

Dr. Armstrong also encouraged the more than 800 future medical professionals to be health coaches for their patients and communities, recognize the importance of seemingly small choices for health over time, and support Healthiest Weight Florida to shape environments that make healthy choices the easier choices for all Floridians.

The Board of Trustees of Nova Southeastern University conferred upon Dr. Armstrong the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree for dedicating his life to the health and well-being of others. The university highlighted Dr. Armstrong’s service to soldiers, sailors, airman, and marines as an Army trauma surgeon and to the people of the State of Florida as State Surgeon General.

“Dr. Armstrong has dedicated his life to improving the health and well-being of the citizens of Florida and throughout the nation,” said Fred Lippman, R.Ph., Ed.D., NSU Health Professions Division chancellor. “As a trauma surgeon, educator, and health policy leader, he has made innovative thinking and advocacy a hallmark of his career, focusing on important areas such as team training, performance improvement, and disaster readiness.”

The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, & community efforts.

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