Susan Solman, D.P.M., R.Ph.

Associate Professor

Master in Physician Assistant Studies Program; Department of Medical Education


Office: MARC 251B

Phone: 305-348-4162

Email: ssolman@fiu.edu

Faculty Advisor: Alliance of Disabilities and Chronic Illness in Medicine

Dr. Susan Solman is a clinical pharmacist and podiatric physician involved in the pharmacology education of physician assistants and medical students. Solman is passionate about educating the medical community about the healthcare disparities that exist for people with disabilities in large part, due to inaccessible medical and diagnostic equipment and lack of medical education.

Solman has been instrumental in creating new perceptions of women with physical challenges as one of the founders of The Raw Beauty Project, a visual arts exhibit that received global media attention and was featured in Oprah Magazine, and as the producer of the award-winning short film, Getting Started. She is also in demand as a speaker on disability awareness with a focus on the health care disparities that exist for people with physical disabilities.

Education

Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine, Barry University, Miami, FL
Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, Long Island University, New York, NY

Areas of interest/specialization

Disability and Inclusion

Awards

  • FIU President’s Access and Equity Award, 2023

  • FIU/ HWCOM Excellence in Teaching Award for E-Learning, 2022

Grants

Active

Project: Creating New Standards in Medical Education for Treating Patients with Spinal Cord Injuries
Sponsor: Craig H. Neilsen Foundation
Period: October 31, 2021–October 30, 2023

Past

Project: Educating Medical Students on Examining and Caring for People Living with Paralysis 
Sponsor: The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation 
Period: June 1, 2020 – May 31, 2021

Selected Publications

  1. Cazzaniga, J., Solman, S. & Fortun, J. “Meet the patient” session: a strategy to teach medical students about autonomic dysfunction after spinal cord injury. BMC Med Educ 23, 896 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04871-4