We celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2019 with various events on August second and third to recognize their accomplishments. On Friday we held our annual Graduation Celebration at the USF Gibbons Alumni Center for them to celebrate their accomplishment with their close family and friends, and School faculty and staff.  During the Celebration the students were awarded an academic medallion with the Morsani College of Medicine Seal and a School crest which outlines the tenants of our mission: Education, Research, Service, and Clinical Practice.  Each year at the Celebration two students are recognized with our Catherine Page Clinical Excellence Award and our Laura Lee “Dolly” Swisher Ethical and Professional Leadership Award.

Left: Sierra Bahr, recipient of the Laura Lee “Dolly” Swisher Ethical and Professional Leadership Award.

Right: Jordan Lindblom, recipient of the Catherine Page Clinical Excellence Award

Also, during the Graduation Celebration the Class presented the School with a gift to remember them by and to pass on to future students. This year the Class of 2019 presented the School with an image that has a picture of each student who has entered the program in the shape of the USF logo. The gift was presented by Aliya Scalamogna, Class of 2019 President and Chris Gai, Class of 2019 Vice President to Dr. Dolly Swisher the School Director. The Celebration then culminates with a small reception for the students and guests to mingle with faculty and staff.

On Saturday, August 3 the Class of 2019 attended USF Commencement to be hooded for completing their Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree. This was also a special Commencement since it was the first one for our new USF System President, Dr. Steve Currall.