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USF Health Honors a New Group of Doctors

Allison Long — Fri, 06 May 2022 22:54:06 +0000

A few tears and thunderous cheers filled the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, Fla., on May 6 as families, friends, staff and faculty watched the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Class of 2022 take the final step from medical students to doctors.

Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM) Dean and USF Health Senior Vice President Charles Lockwood, MD, MHCM, congratulated the graduates on being “a unique class” that completed their four-year medical school journey during a time marked by political strife, economic turmoil and the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockwood also stressed the importance of becoming physicians in a world that continues to evolve and is now dominated by what he called “a cruel and wholly unnecessary war.”

Charles Lockwood, MD, spoke on Friday, May, during the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine class of 2022 graduation.

“In the 21st century, health is not global, not local—dynamic, not static—and medical knowledge is accelerating at an unimaginable rate,” he said. “It falls to determined and bold individuals such as yourselves to meet these current challenges and the ones that lie ahead of you.”

The Class of 2022 includes 166 graduates, of which 159 were expected to participate in Friday’s ceremony.

John Couris, President & CEO of Tampa General Hospital, received Dean’s Award on Friday, May, during the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine class of 2022 graduation ceremony at Mahaffey Theater.

The 2022 Deans Award was presented to John Couris, president and chief executive officer of Tampa General Hospital. Lockwood praised Couris as an instrumental advocate for the partnership between USF Health and Tampa General, which has resulted in the newly formed USF Tampa Physician Group.

“John has had a transformative effect on the organization, prioritizing innovation by launching new programs, embracing state-of-the-art technologies, and embracing patient safety, outcomes and satisfaction,” Lockwood said. “We at USF Health are incredibly grateful for his friendship and continuing partnership.”

This year’s honorary degree recipient was world-renowned infectious disease expert Claire Pomeroy, MD, chief executive officer of the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation and professor emeritus at the University of California-Davis. Her leadership roles have included being president of the Center for AIDS Research, Education and Services (CARES); chair of the Council of Deans of the Association of American Medical Colleges; and fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Her work as an infectious disease physician has been focused on addressing social determinants of health, strengthening public health infrastructure, and caring for the underserved.

Claire Pomeroy, MD, waved to the crowd after receiving her honorary degree on Friday, May, during the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine class of 2022 graduation ceremony.

Echoing Lockwood, Pomeroy emphasized to the students that their knowledge and skills as physicians would be needed in a world dealing with the pandemic, racial injustice and the Russian attacks on Ukraine.

“You will go on to practice medicine at a time in which these upheavals have laid bare the imperative to reform our healthcare systems and achieve our profession’s mission of creating better health for all,” she said. “As you accept your diploma today, I urge you to also accept the charge to lead us in the change our nation needs.”

Prisca Alilio, MD, who was chosen by her classmates to deliver the class farewell speech, said her experience working in the hospitals at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic helped her understand that more is needed to succeed as doctors.

Prisca Alilio,MD, spoke on Friday, May, during the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine class of 2022 graduation ceremony at Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, Fla.

“Though the pandemic threatened the safety of our communities and had us part with loved ones prematurely, we scheduled and rescheduled to take Step 1, donned our N95s and joined our dedicated care teams in the hospitals and clinics,” she said. “Our reward is a sacred one: to join the ranks of a profession entrusted to render service to humanity with full respect of the dignity of man.”

Alilio was also chosen by the other medical students to receive the Doctor’s Doctor Award, along with fellow senior medical students Britton McGlawn-McGrane, MD, and Charles Jang, MD.

Before the ceremony concluded, Karim Hanna, MD, recipient of the student-elected 2022 Osler Award, which recognizes the most outstanding role model, delivered the charge speech to the students. Hanna challenged the students to be more than just doctors.

Karim Hanna, MD, spoke on Friday, May, during the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine class of 2022 graduation ceremony at Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, Fla.

“Let’s be doctors who chase compassion, not competition,” she said. “By carrying our MD, we are saying we are prepared to co-suffer, we are prepared for discomfort. We will provide help, hope and love to those in need. I will seek out these opportunities. That is what makes us physicians.”

The graduating class of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine class of 2022 was photographed during the ceremony at Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Class of 2022 Award Recipients:

Donn L. Smith Award: Awarded to the top performing CORE student.

William Steele Fisher, MD and Chang-woo Jang, MD

Morsani College of Medicine Dean’s Award: Awarded to the top performing SELECT student.

Stuart Polk, MD

Luther McEachern Memorial Award: Awarded to the senior medical student who excels academically and exhibits outstanding service the school.

Nat Jones, MD

Doctor’s Doctor Award: Student-selected award presented to s senior medical student(s) who they would choose as their personal for family’s physician:

Britton McGlawn-McGrane, MD; Charles Jang, MD; Prisca Alilio, MD

Carol M. Petrucelli, MD, Award for Outstanding Student in Dermatology:

Caroline Gerhardt, MD

Charles E. Aucermann, MD, Excellence in Family Medicine: Vincent VanBerkum, MD

Outstanding Contributions to Sports Medicine: Grace Benmhend, MD

Outstanding Sennior Student in Psychiatry: Alex Dolan, MD

Outstanding Student in Consultation/Liaison Psychiatry:

Jack Lyden, MD and Katherine Ammon, MD

Chairman’s Award for Scholarly Activity: Alex Dolan, MD

MCOM Dept. of Surgery Outstanding Student Award: Logan Prager, MD

Dr. Laurie Woodard Community Advocate Award: Nadia Mohammed, MD

Charles Lockwood, MD, (left) and Bryan Bognar, MD, hooded Catherine Blackburn, MD, on Friday, May, during the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine class of 2022 graduation ceremony.

Roy H. Behnke, MD, Award for Excellence in Internal Medicine: Alicia Darwin, MD

Laennec Award for Excellence in Clinical Medicine: Lauren Strang, MD

Florida ACP Student Award: Maria Kocab, MD

Lawrence Kahana Award for Outstanding Physical Diagnosis Skills: Daniel Wind, MD

Internal Medicine Chairman’s Award: Andrew Matar, MD

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Molecular Medicine: Zachary Makovich, MD

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Neuroscience: Vineet Nadkarni, MD

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Immunology and Infectious Disease: Daniel Martin, MD

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Physiology: Joshua Shultz, MD

The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine commencement book.

Brown Farrior Award for Excellence in Otolaryngology: Shreni Shaw, MD

Senior Student Excellence in Neurology: Byron Cheon, MD; Sage Hewitt, MD; Grace Kim, MD;

Vineet Nadkarni, MD; Sathvik Shastry, MD

Outstanding Academic Achievement (Highest Score on Neurology Exam):

Lauren Strang, MD; Steele Fischer, MD

Outstanding Achievement in Pharmacology: Charles Jang, MD

Christopher P. Phelps Award for Excellence in Anatomy: Eric Taylor, MD

John U. Balis Award for Excellence in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine: Steele Fisher, MD

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Pre-clerkship Clinical Medicine:

Alicia Darwin, MD, and Michael Mortellaro, MD

Graduates take advantage of the beautiful weather on Friday, May, after the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine class of 2022 graduation ceremony in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Basic Science Chairs Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Basic Sciences: Lane Polk, MD

Tampa General Hospital Medical Staff Basic Science Award: Lauren Strang, MD

Tampa General Hospital Medical Staff Clinician’s Award: Lilla Kis, MD

Tampa General Hospital Medical Staff Humanitarian Award:

Claire Bethel, MD and Lauren Holt, MD

Tampa General Hospital Foundation Scholar’s Award: Brennan Ninesling, MD

Tampa General Hospital/USF Global Emerging Disease Scholar: Kimberly Menezes, MD

Phillip T Gompf Award for Excellence in Infectious Disease: Brennan Ninesling, MD

ACOG Robert G. Nelson Award for Outstanding Achievement in OB/GYN as a third-year medical student: Lilla Kis, MD

Anna Lauchnor, MD, received her Navy lieutenant insignia from her grandfather on Friday, May, during the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine class of 2022 graduation ceremony at Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, Fla.

ACOG James M. Ingram, MD Award for Outstanding Achievement in OB/GYN:

Lauren Holt, MD

USF Department of OB/GYN James M. Ingram, MD Award: Melissa Chan, MD

Dept. of Pediatrics Outstanding Medical Student Award: Olivia Hardy, MD

FCCAAP Luther W. Holloway Award: Catherine Blackburn, MD

Lewis A. Barness, MD Award: Brennan Ninesling, MD

Marck Manuals: Steele Fisher, MD; Charles Jang, MD; Linda Lu, MD; Anastasia Jermihov, MD

AMWA Glasgow-Rubin Certificate of Commendation for Academic Achievement:

Alicia Darwin, MD; Caroline Gerhardt, MD; Anastasia Jermihov, MD; Lilla Kis, MD;

Linda Lu, MD; Shruti Kulkarni, MD; Jordan McDonald, MD

Outstanding Contributions to Student Life Award: Prisca Alilio, MD

Thomas and Elizabeth Flannery and William and Mary Tibbels Scholarly Award:

Brennan Ninesling, MD

Florida Gamma Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society

Lauren Allen, MD	Caroline Gerhardt, MD	Louis Leon, MD	Brennan Ninesling, MD
Michele Bohlman, MD	Chang-woo Jang, MD	Linda Lu, MD	Rachel Patten, MD
John Cheng, MD	Anastatia Jermihov, MD	Luke Maglich, MD	Stuart Polk, MD
Alicia Darwin, MD	Nat Jones, MD	Daniel Martin, MD	Shreni Shah, MD
Long Di, MD	Joshua Kalter, MD	Andrew Matar, MD	Cody Spence, MD
Lauren Duncanson, MD	Zoe Kinkead, MD	Jordan McDonald, MD	Lauren Strang, MD
William Fisher, MD	Shruti Kulkarni, MD	Michael Mortellaro, MD	Eric Taylor, MD
Matthew Fitzsimons, MD	Michael LaVere, MD	Vineet Nadkarni, MD

Graduates listened on Friday, May, during the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine class of 2022 graduation ceremony.

Gold Humanism Honor Society

Prisca Alilio, MD	Olivia Hardy, MD	Frank Lee, MD	Ceyda Sablak, MD
Grace Benmhend, MD	Lauren Holt, MD	Catherine Levitt, MD	Shalini Setty, MD
Claire Bethel, MD	Madeline Hooper, MD	Jack Lyden, MD	Vinceent VanBerkum, MD
Catherine Blackburn, MD	Lilla Kis, MD	Nitisha Mehta, MD	Jhuliana Vivar, MD
Emily Eischen, MD	Maria Kocab, MD	Kimberly Menezes, MD	Jake Wasserman, MD
Caroline Gerhardt, MD	Ashley Kunnath, MD	Rachel Patten, MD	Rosalie Zurlo, MD

Graduates laugh on Friday, May, during the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine class of 2022 graduation ceremony at Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Robert A. Good Honor Society

Estelle Cervantes, MD	Long Di, MD	Frank Lee, MD	Michelle Row, MD
John Cheng, MD	Lauren Holt, MD	Muling Lin, MD	Nichlas Russo, MD
Tiffany Cheng, MD	Nat Jones, MD	Jordan McDonald, MD
Byron Cheon, MD	Joshua Kalter, MD	Ahmed-Zayn Mohamed, MD
Alicia Darwin, MD	Dennis Kirichenko, MD	Thrisha Potluri, MD

Anastasia Jermihov, MD, kisses her boyfriend after the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine class of 2022 graduation ceremony.

Photos & Video: Allison Long

Story: Freddie Coleman & Allison Long

Students celebrate milestones at 2019 USF Health Commencement Ceremony

Admin — Wed, 08 May 2019 15:32:14 +0000

Video and article by Allison Long.

Photos by Freddie Coleman.

The arena erupted in cheers and applause as USF System President Judy Genshaft walked toward the stage for this year’s USF Health Commencement Ceremony – and one of her final commencement exercises.

The May 2 graduation ceremony was among her final as USF President and the students, friends and families at the Yuengling Center on the USF Tampa campus all showed their gratitude for her 19-year tenure.

The USF Health’s Morsani College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy and College of Public Health were represented at the 2019 Spring Commencement held in the Yuengling Center.

“These ceremonies are especially significant for me as this is my last time presiding over commencement as USF President,” Genshaft said, as she welcomed everyone to the ceremony. “Over my 19 years as president I’ve had the honor and the privilege of graduating over 210,000 USF students.”

The 2019 USF Health Commencement featured students graduating with bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees representing USF Health’s Morsani College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy and College of Public Health. The Morsani College of Medicine will also hold an MD commencement ceremony on May 10.

Dr. Charles J. Lockwood spoke to the graduates and their families at the 2019 Spring Commencement.

In addition to acknowledging the significance of Genshaft’s contributions to USF, the evening ceremony also offered two other milestones: the graduation of the charter class of the Physician Assistant program in the Morsani College of Medicine, and the graduation of the charter class of the Genetics Counseling program in the College of Public Health.

Zachary Ulshafer, Physician Assistant Program graduate, gave the student welcome at the 2019 Spring Commencement.

Kyle Holsted, a 2019 physician assistant graduate, understood the importance of being in the charter class. “It’s nice to set the foundation for USF Health and for the P.A. (physician assistant) program,” he said.

Audrey Heimler received an honorary doctorate in public health for her pioneering work in genetic counseling, and David Eddy, MD, received the President’s Fellow Medallion. Dr. Eddy is a professor for the USF Institute for Advanced Discovery and Innovation.

Also, the College of Public Health featured several award-winning students:

King O’Neal Scholars: Ved Patel, Kaelan Skinner and Jessica Zelitt
Golden Bull awardee: Whitney Fung.

USF System President Judy Genshaft and Merritt Martin, USF Alumni Association chair, presented College of Public Health graduate Ved Patel with a King O’Neal Scholar award.

And the College of Nursing also featured several award-winning students:

King O’Neal Scholars: Loretta Bayer, Laura Rouco and Carly Stagg
Outstanding Graduate: Roberto Velasco

College of Nursing graduate Loretta Bayer received a King O’Neal Scholar award from Genshaft and Martin.

The USF Health commencement ceremony was one of several Spring commencement exercises across the USF System. With approximately 7,500 degrees expected to be conferred, the 2019 class represents the largest in USF System history. The class features graduates from 50 states, 109 nations and 57 students with a cumulative 4.0 GPA.

USF Health commencement celebrates educational milestones [video]

Anne DeLotto Baier — Mon, 09 May 2016 20:46:22 +0000

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCU56pNFD6E

Between the entry of the university’s mace and turning their cap tassels to the left, 532 doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s students walked across the stage of the Sun Dome Friday evening May 6 — and exited as USF Health’s newest graduates.

By the time the last graduates’ names were called, the solemn atmosphere inside the arena had given way to cheering, applause and the occasional blast of an air horn.

For the second year, the USF Health-wide commencement ceremony brought together graduating students from the Colleges of Nursing, Public Health and Pharmacy, the School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences and the Morsani College of Medicine’s Biomedical Sciences Graduate & Postdoctoral Programs.

Students convene in their college sections at the opening of the 2016 USF Health Commencement ceremony.

USF President Judy Genshaft noted that this cohort of students had witnessed USF move into the top 25 among all U.S. public universities for total research expenditures. In addition, she said, they studied here when their school was recognized as a global leader in generating new U.S. patents, now ranking 13^th in the world in this metric of innovation and invention.

“Particularly in the colleges of USF Health – from undergraduates to doctoral candidates — our students are integral to our upward trajectory as a great research university,” President Genshaft said.

“Our students benefit from learning the newest information and best practices in the classroom and in hands-on training programs. Our students conduct important research projects of their own and work as part of a team tackling big health problems. This puts USF on the leading edge of improving the quality of health care – not only in Florida, but across the nation and around the world.”

USF President Judy Genshaft enters the Sun Dome as part of the processional into the arena.

In addition to highlighting some of the colleges’ achievements over the past year, President Genshaft highlighted several USF Health student success stories:

Samantha Kattiria graduated as a member of the final group of USF students to receive a BS degree in athletic training. She was one of a select few female students in the country to work with the National Hockey League while pursing her degree in this specialty area.

Shane Hooper came to USF after a head-on collision with a drunk driver left him unable to work. After completing a master’s degree in USF’s biotechnology program in 2010, he pursued and completed a PhD degree in medical sciences.

President Genshaft addresses the audience. The 532 doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s students participating May 6 in the USF Health Commencement ceremony were among more than 6,500 students who graduated across the USF System this spring.

Emma Jagasia, who graduated magna cum laude with a BS degree in nursing, served as president of the USF Nursing Student Association, interned at a hospital in Belize, and volunteered at the College of Nursing’s CARE Tampa Bay, a free clinic providing education and support for people with chronic health conditions. Her postgraduate plans include a pediatric nurse residency program.

Thayra Molinary, who at age 16 became a high school dropout and teen mother, worked to obtain a GED to support her daughter. Deciding she wanted a better life, she enrolled in college and continued her educational climb at the USF College of Pharmacy. Molinary, whose daughter graduates from high school next month, graduated with her PharmD degree.

Hanin Fernandez, a first-generation college student born in Cuba, graduated with a master’s degree in public health. As a graduate student, she volunteered with the Hillsborough County Health Department where she developed health and wellness programs as well as conducted research on the rise of HIV in Hillsborough County and helped create outreach programs to reduce the risk of transmission.

Dr. Charles Lockwood, senior vice president of USF Health and dean, Morsani College of Medicine, congratulated the graduates and their families.

Charles Lockwood, MD, senior vice president of USF Health and dean, Morsani College of Medicine, joined President Genshaft in congratulating all the graduates and thanking the graduates’ families for their support.

“This special event is one of the largest ever in our history here at USF Health,” Dr. Lockwood said. “It gives us all a great source of pride to look out at this audience today and see so many of you who have achieved your goals in completing this educational milestone.”

Kyla Hoffer, graduating with BS degree in nursing, holds the King O’Neal Award in recognition of her achievements as a graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade point average of 4.0. Presenting the award were USF Trustee Scott Hopes, President Genshaft and Betty Otter-Nickerson, (far right) chair of the USF Alumni Association.

Two honorees were recognized at the USF Health Commencement ceremony:

Kyla Hoffer, graduating with BS degree in nursing, received the King O’Neal Award in recognition of her achievements as a graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade point average of 4.0. The award is bestowed by the USF Alumni Association in honor of charter graduates Lucas King and Evelyn O’Neal.
James Martinez, lauded for his many honors and dedicated service to USF and the community during a 50-year career as a registered pharmacist, was presented with an honorary Doctor of Pharmacy degree (Honoris Causa). Martinez and his wife recently established the first endowed scholarship at the USF College of Pharmacy – the James and Sylvia Martinez Endowed Scholarship.

James Martinez (second from left), lauded for his many honors and dedicated service to USF and the community during a 50-year career as a registered pharmacist, received an honorary Doctor of Pharmacy degree (Honoris Causa).

The ceremony’s graduate speaker was Whitney Griffith, one of seven students in the first graduating class of the College of Nursing Bachelor of Science (BS) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Griffith was selected for the prestigious Jonas Veteran’s Healthcare Scholars Program in 2014 and was one of only five DNP students nationwide to receive a CVS Minute Clinic/Johnson & Johnson Together We Care Nurse Practitioner Scholarship in 2015. She also received a USF College of Nursing Community Service Award for exceptional humanitarian service during a two-week mission trip to the Dominican Republic.

Griffith said she initially had no idea what she was going to say when she was selected to address her fellow graduates at commencement. “So I did what any millennial would do… I Googled it,” she said.

The graduation speaker was Whitney Griffith, a member of the inaugural graduating class of the USF College of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science (BS) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

That search for inspiring graduation speeches led to two themes she shared in her remarks – the value of failure in teaching resilience and sweetening success and the importance of remaining true to yourself by finding and doing what you love.

“I wish you all a future filled with happiness, success and the poise to passionately persevere after gracefully failing,” said Griffith, who will pursue a career as a doctorally prepared family nurse practitioner.

Patricia Duffy, who graduated with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, is hooded by faculty.

The ceremony’s culmination was the conferring of degrees, including the hooding of all USF Health doctoral candidates.

Then, following the singing of the alma mater, the new USF Health graduates filed out of the Sun Dome – ready to start their futures as health professionals.

The USF Health baccaulareate graduates turn the tassels on their caps to the left near the end of the ceremony.

The commencement party platform.

Dr. Edmund Funai, chief operating officer at USF Health and Vice President for Strategic Development, USF System, announced names of all 532 USF Health students who walked across the stage.

The graduates had individual photos taken after exiting the stage.

The singing of the USF alma mater was led by College of Nursing graduate Angelica Manangan (at podium).

Photos by Eric Younghans, video by Sandra C. Roa, USF Health Communications

Public Health graduates more than 135 new practitioners

Natalie D. Preston — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 20:36:08 +0000

After years of educating, nurturing, and leading by example, the University of South Florida (USF) College of Public Health welcomed more than 135 new practitioners to the field. In a college ceremony held on Friday, August 3, faculty and staff recognized the academic achievements of the Class of 2012 and thanked families for their support.

Like the field of public health, the eager new graduates are unwavering in their quest to improve the overall well-being of all human beings. They are committed, engaged in their communities, and believe in a better tomorrow. They are the Class of 2012.

Public health never takes a day off

Bethany (Masters) and Jarrett Brunny married over spring break in March of 2010. Their firstborn, Tai, was born during winter break in January 2011. Determined not to put their dreams on hold, Bethany enjoyed two long weeks of maternity leave before returning to her studies in the college.

Jarrett, Tai, and Bethany (Masters) Brunny

As if earning a master of public health degree in health education and raising an infant son weren’t enough of a challenge, in 2011 the couple founded The Brunny Institute. Through a holistic approach to community health, the 501(c)(3) non-profit focuses on methodology and application, rather than on one specific health condition.

“Our mission is to enhance quality of life in the communities we serve,” Jarrett Brunny said. “We are thankful to the USF COPH community for the excellent academic, research, and service opportunities we had while students there. And, for the relationships—both professional and personal—that were formed.”

Public health is a force of social responsibility

Harry Santil, MD has lots of reasons to be hopeful. Harielle, his first child, was born in May 2003 with encephalocele, a condition where part of her skull did not close completely, causing a tumor to develop behind her head. Santil, his wife Ketsia, and Harielle moved to the United States in December 2003 seeking treatment at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.

The surgery was a success.

Harielle, Ketsia, Eben, and Harry Santil

Determined to give back, the family settled in Lakeland. Harry volunteered at a hospital teaching Creole and English. He collaborated with local Haitian leaders to create Compassion Action for Haitians, Inc. and led the organization on two Haitian relief missions after Hurricane Jeanne in 2004 and the earthquake of 2010.

Shortly after the relief missions, Santil began taking courses toward a master of public health degree in public health practice. Meanwhile, he advocated for health on councils with the Polk County School System and the County Commissioners.

“Public health equips all those who are working in the field with the necessary tools to build partnerships within communities in order to empower the people to take ownership of their own health destiny,” Santil said. “Working with people is my passion and one of my greatest satisfactions is to see communities make positive changes when the appropriate strategies are put in place.”

Ultimately, Santil envisions working with a U.S. international development agency to put his public health knowledge and skills into practice back home in his native country of Haiti. In the interim, he will become certified in public health (CPH) and continue with his academic journey toward a doctorate.

Public health is a source of hope

Donna Haiduven, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Global Health and the recipient of the college’s 2012 Outstanding Professor Award, was among selected speakers who addressed the graduates. In her remarks, Dr. Haiduven shared a commencement quote from Michele Bachelet, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women.

“I urge you to follow your passion. Seek challenges and adventures. Be generous with your spirit and your time. Be generous with your listening and understanding. Be generous with your curiosity and your compassion. Be generous in your service to others. Life offers you a thousand chances… all you have to do is take one.

So take the chance to make our world a better one-today and every day in every moment and with every person you encounter. Be generous and, believe me…what you receive in return will exceed your expectations—and also the expectations of those around you!”

To view pictures from the college ceremony, click here.

Story by Natalie D. Preston, College of Public Health.