Good News - September 2020

COVER STORY 20 SEPTEMBER 2020 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition Dr. Debra A. Schwinn dove into her presidential role May 4, hearing the biblical echo for such a time as this : a call for bold leadership to face new challenges. An experienced educator, researcher and physician, Palm Beach Atlantic University’s ninth president had come with a passion and track record for collaboration and innovation. She had most recently been associate vice president for medical affairs at the University of Iowa, and last fall she had turned down other career opportunities in medicine, saying, “it became very clear that God was calling me to Christian universities.” With “the innovativeness of PBA, the real need -,+*)(*+'&%$'* #"*)-!'* & $'* # -#* $%&# $&#* % '$- * -$#&*'+ -#%",* %&* +'' (* supported through these turbulent times for higher education,” the opportunity -#* * &#* ' #* %!'*-*$'- (* ""+* # * %,,*&-%+ When she accepted the PBApost in January and spoke of “turbulent times,” no one dreamed of the challenges that would come with the coronavirus. But & '*& -$'+*# ',* '&&",&* "+* -+*#- #* '$ *%, +%, *+'- %, * %# *+% #* situations: “You can hide from the world, you can get bitter or you can jump in with both feet and grow and learn something from the situation.” ",# &* -#'$ *- #'$* * -+*&',#*&# +',#&* ")'*#"* ,%& *# '*& $%, *&')'&#'$* online, it became clear that the new president had “jumped in with both feet” to meet this COVID-19 challenge. And many in the University community took comfort seeing such a medical professional lead PBA now, as they recalled the Book of Esther and the question posed to Queen Esther, “Who knows but that you have come … for such a time as this?” Schwinn had been dean of the University of Iowa’s School of Medicine, and before that she spent more than 15 years in leadership positions at Duke University Medical Center and the University of Washington in Seattle. She had earned her undergraduate degree in her native Ohio at the College of Wooster, a liberal arts school founded by the Presbyterian Church, and she received her medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine. Honored alumna from Stanford U. In 2014 Stanford honored her with its prestigious Lifetime Alumni Achievement Award, calling her “a nationally known investigator in molecular pharmacology,” and an “invited lecturer and visiting professor throughout the world,” who has “laid the groundwork for innovations in medical education, bench to bedside research, and team-based patient care.” Schwinn now sees multiple opportunities for PBA to lead as an innovator. As an example, she explained: “The world is changing, and it is likely that going forward our graduates will need to reinvent themselves every 10 years or so throughout their careers.” She envisions the University helping equip its $-+ -#'&* %# *,' *&!% &*-&*# '(*'-$,*& ' %- % '+* "&# $-+ -#'* '$#% -#'&*%,* programs of perhaps three courses. -( '* (" $'* $ ,,%, * -* ,", $" #* today and you don’t have an analytics background,” she said. “An analytics '$#% -#'* " +* $'- (* ' * (" * +"* # '* kind of market segmentation and analysis (" * ,''+* "$* (" $* ,", $" # * '* &''&* far-ranging possibilities for such new programs. And she sees increasing opportunities for PBA’s departments and schools to work together. In her previous work, she said, “I loved to create centers and institutes that brought people together across the whole university.” Schwinn has 27 years of research experience as a principal investigator funded through the National Institutes of Health. “To do the best research now,” she said, “you must have different perspectives on the problem, because our $" ')&*-$'*)"$'* ") ' *#"+-( * "*#- ! '*+% #*$'&'-$ * $" ')& *& '* imagines strong, broad collaboration, for example, between PBA faculty and students in nursing, pharmacy, kinesiology and the sciences. In addition to her past roles as innovative researcher, Schwinn has a long record of leadership in fundraising. The pandemic accentuates pre-existing & - * $'&& $'&*",* ,% '$&%#%'& *& '*&-%+ * $'-#%, *-* '$ ' #*&#"$) * "$* % '$* education today. “But ever since God called PBA into existence 52 years ago, %,," -#%",* -&* '',*%,*" $* *& '*&-%+ * ', ' * *-)* ", +',#* * % * buffer this storm, and not just to survive, but to thrive .” As the fall term began at Palm Beach Atlantic, Schwinn announced the theme chosen for the academic year: “Trust in the Lord.” The powerful message is based on Proverbs 3:5-6, which says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight.” * -)* "))%##'+* #"* ',& $%, * # -#* * $')-%,&* -* $%&# $&#* ,% '$&%#( * integrating Christian faith with outstanding academics,” Schwinn said. “Building upon our founders’ strong foundation, my vision is that PBA become the premier Christian university in the country. In ways, PBA is the best-kept secret around; it is time to let everyone in on the secret and follow God’s leading into the future.” With this issue of Good News , Dr. Schwinn debuts a regular column, which this month considers issues of racial reconciliation (page 10). Students back on campus Palm Beach Atlantic University students are back for the fall semester, under a multi-pronged approach for the best safety practices. The University developed its reopening plan under local, state and national guidelines, and with strong medical leadership of its own. PBA’s nursing and pharmacy schools have faculty experts in infectious diseases, and its new president, Dr. Debra A. Schwinn, has an extensive medical background. (See story above.) Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, independent university offering undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees, with campuses in West Palm Beach, Orlando and online. The University is dedicated to the integration of Christian principles to prepare students for learning, leadership and service. www.pba.edu Palm Beach Atlantic University community sees God’s hand in presidential selection New leader is accomplished physician