When future public health leaders partner with organizations on the front lines of community care, innovation follows. This spring, Broward House proudly partnered with graduate students from Nova Southeastern University’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine for our first collaboration through the university’s Public Health Capstone Program.
The collaboration aimed at expanding awareness of HIV prevention resources and increasing access to life-saving services throughout Broward County by creating an opportunity to develop practical solutions that have the potential to make a lasting impact.
Over the course of the semester, the classroom extended into the community. Students worked alongside Broward House staff to gain a deeper understanding of our mission, the individuals we serve, and the unique public health challenges facing Broward County. Through research, stakeholder engagement, and analysis of local health data, they explored opportunities to strengthen community outreach and improve awareness of HIV prevention services.
The culmination of their work was a capstone project titled “Putting Some PrEP and PEP in Broward County’s Step.” The project focused on developing a strategic marketing and outreach campaign to increase awareness of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), two highly effective medications that help prevent HIV transmission. Rather than approaching the assignment as simply an academic exercise, the students created recommendations grounded in research, creativity, and community need. Their final presentation introduced measurable objectives, thoughtful outreach strategies, and practical marketing concepts that Broward House can continue to build upon as we expand our HIV prevention education efforts throughout the county.
One of the highlights of the partnership came during the Capstone Symposium, where Broward House CEO Nicole Burrell was recognized by Nova Southeastern University for her leadership, mentorship, and commitment to supporting student learning.
We are grateful to the faculty and graduate students at Nova Southeastern University for their professionalism, dedication, and passion throughout this inaugural partnership. We look forward to continuing this collaboration and creating future opportunities that inspire innovation, expand access to care, and advance health equity throughout Broward County.
