The National University of Health Sciences community gathered at the Illinois campus Friday to celebrate the culmination of dedication, hard work, and unwavering determination of over 60 new graduates.
Ashley Burkman, ND , ‘11, a physician with Collaborative Natural Health Partners and member of NUHS’s Board of Trustees since 2015, helped mark the occasion as commencement speaker. During her speech, she shared some memories from her time at NUHS and what graduates can expect in future practice. While there are challenges ahead, she reassured graduates that they now have the tools to face them.
V
aledictorians of various programs also provided addresses to an audience of proud friends and family, including Peter Antal Kiss, valedictorian of the Chiropractic Medicine program, Danielle Maritato, valedictorian of the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences program, Kaitlin Condon, valedictorian of the Master of Science in Oriental Medicine program and Katie Ralene Kavicky-Mels, valedictorian of the Naturopathic Medicine program. They each reflected on the challenges they have overcome, the support they received from friends, family and faculty and the overall impact the university has had on their lives.
In her speech, Dr. Kavicky-Mels discussed the Hero’s Journey, a common story structure in mythology, comparing it to the transformation graduates have gone through during their time at National University.
“Becoming who we truly are requires the most amount of change,” she said.
In his closing remarks, NUHS President Joseph Stiefel, MS, EdD, DC, also discussed the transformative power of a journey.
“Given the right opportunities and tools, there’s no limit to what you can accomplish,” he said.
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences
Michael Hoes
Patrick Janicki
Angela M Laurie
Danielle Maritato
Alexis Waul
Laith Arabi
Manol Atanassov
Vincent Bedami
Christian Berendes
Zachary Berendes
Jared Bywater
Nicole Colson
Kaylee Rae Confer
Randal Austin Cybulski
Jonathan Denski
Nikolas DeStephano
Connor Edward Fagan
Jalyn Christine Gosser
Alexis Herrera
Tatiana Jefferson
Ryan J. Johnston
Bryan Arthur Karn
Christopher Kerio
John Spencer Kingsley
Peter Antal Kiss
Alex Kixmiller
Mac A. Kozaczuk
Kyle Laughlin
Samantha Molda
Hussen Ngo
Ryan William Pinter
Maria Psikogios
Matthew David Rayis
Patricia-Madeleine
Clementine Russell
Alexandra Simic Hachmann
Hannah Synon
Giorgio Terracciano
Jesse Throw
Patric Weber
Zachary Wolverton
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Carla LeeAnn Anderson
Ann Marie Carpenter
Alannah Chaney
Amanda Chaplin
Katie Ralene Kavicky-Mels
Gabrielle Kim
Kathryn Jordan Knoch
Jason J Labedz
Jacinda M. Lisi
Franchesca Lucia Martinez Castillo
Michelle Mathew
Symone Nicole Ferguson Meriwether
Paula Ortiz Guerrero
Jennifer Pedigo
Makayla Shaye Rosekrans
Anna Tu-Anh Tran
Master of Science in Acupuncture
Justina Baranauskaite
Amanda Chaplin
Joseph DeMaria
Ali Ibrahim Sobh
Master of Science in Oriental Medicine
Kaitlin Condon
Jacinda M. Lisi
Master of Science in Advanced Clinical Practice
Atlanta Page Benjamin
Charles R. Elchert
Tony Burnett Williams
0 Comments