WesternU CGN Commencement 2026: Health care leaders and advocates
Leadership, advocacy, and compassion took center stage Tuesday, May 19, 2026, as Western University of Health Sciences celebrated 110 graduates from the College of Graduate Nursing. The class included five Master in Science Nursing Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP), 92 Master of Science in Nursing-Entry (MSN-E) graduates, and 13 Doctor of Nursing Practice graduates.
CGN’s ceremony was the third of eight Commencement ceremonies hosted by WesternU at the Sheraton Fairplex Suites & Conference Center in Pomona, California, with WesternU President Robin Farias-Eisner, MD, PhD, MBA, presiding over the event.
“Nurses are caregivers, scientists, and scholars. They are leaders and advocates. Nurses are innovators who improve systems, teachers who guide the next generation, and clinical analysts who make sense of complex comorbidities. Nurses are hope-givers and life-givers, standing at the intersection of compassion and clinical excellence. You, our College of Graduate Nursing graduates, are saving lives, solving problems, and inspiring everyone around you, and improving the care of patients and communities,” said CGN Dean Mary Lopez, PhD, MSN, RN.
The Class of 2026 selected two graduate speakers to represent their class, Master of Science in Nursing-Entry graduate Francisco Velasquez, MSN ‘26 and Doctor of Nursing Practice graduate, Suzan Shakhshir, DNP ‘26, FNP-C.
Velasquez serves as a U.S. Army Reserve medic, with a strong foundation in service, resilience, and patient-centered care. During his speech, Velasquez reflected on the special responsibility that comes with the nursing profession.
“We now carry the privilege of continuing a profession built on trust. One where people depend on us to listen, to lead, and to care. So be that example. Lead with intention and let your actions create a ripple effect on every patient, every family, and every colleague you encounter,” said Velasquez.
Shakhshir began her nursing career over a decade ago as a public health nurse. Today she practices as a family nurse practitioner at a local Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), implementing an HIV prevention program and improving access to HIV prevention medication. Her decision to earn her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree was rooted in a desire to be able to better serve her patients.
“This helps me to do a better job at what I do, with finding care gaps and improving the quality of care for our patients. I also really learned about advocacy. I felt like there were gaps in my knowledge, so going back for my DNP helped me to fill those gaps,” said Shakhshir.
Shakhshir’s mother, Patricia Shakhshir, PhD, CNS, RN-BC, serves as an Associate Professor at WesternU CGN. During the ceremony, WesternU President Farias-Eisner invited the two to stand together in recognition of the special relationships that make the University community so meaningful.
“Nurses are innovative and strive through adversity while advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves. Nurses are often the catalysts of change because we are the backbone of health care and health care cannot function without nursing,” Suzan Shakhshir said.
After witnessing the crucial role nurses played in health care during the COVID-19 pandemic, CGN graduate Justin Lam, MSN ‘26, felt called to the profession. Lam worked as a nurse assistant for a couple years before deciding he wanted to do more.
“Each patient is shaped by their own environment and their culture. It’s what makes them human. How we treat each other with respect and how we respond to different cultures makes us human too. How we integrate that into their care and care plans is important, not just for the patient, but also for us,” said Lam.
One of WesternU’s most cherished traditions is the family hooding ceremony, where graduates invite their loved ones onstage to place their academic hoods over their shoulders, symbolizing the beginning of their professional careers. This meaningful moment allows graduates to celebrate their achievement alongside the family members, friends, and mentors who supported them throughout their journey. CGN graduate Jonathan Tran, MSN ‘26, shared this special moment with his parents.
“They are my biggest supporters. I could not do this without them. When I was sick, as a kid, they were always there,” said Tran.
As a child, Tran’s experiences with nurses inspired him to pursue a career in health care and showed him the vital role nurses play in supporting patients and families. He said the care and compassion he received helped him feel safe during difficult moments in the hospital.
“Nurses are always there, 24/7. They always made me feel safe. I was scared, it’s scary being a patient as a kid at a hospital. I relate to my patients. I was in their shoes, and that’s why I want to help people who were in my position,” said Tran.
