WesternU College of Podiatric Medicine Commencement 2026: Hands guided by the heart
Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine (CPM) celebrated 34 graduates at its Commencement ceremony May 20, 2026, in Pomona, California.
Each graduate received a diploma from WesternU President Robin Farias-Eisner, MD, PhD, MBA, and CPM Acting Dean Jacqueline Truong, DPM, MPH, and then shared the stage with loved ones, who placed the academic hood on their shoulders.
CPM graduate Jeremy Andrus Skelton, DPM ’26, was selected by his classmates to speak at the ceremony. He thanked the CPM and College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific faculty for their guidance, mentorship and patience. He also thanked the parents, spouses, friends and family who supported them throughout this journey.
Skelton said his 2-year-old likes to read a book called “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,” where a family overcomes obstacles with the same refrain: “We can’t go over it. We can’t go under it. We’ve got to go through it.”
“I think that is a lot like our experience in medical school. You can’t go over anatomy lab and all the hours spent studying for practicals. You can’t go under boards. You can’t go around early morning clinics, the long drives from west L.A. to RUHS (Riverside University Health System), the days where you questioned whether you picked the right path. We had to go through it. And we did,” Skelton said. “To the entire class of 2026, I am so proud of each of you and want to congratulate you on such an incredible achievement. Regardless of the life that kept happening outside of the classroom, each of you showed up day after day and have accomplished something truly amazing.”
CPM Acting Dean Jacqueline Truong, DPM, MPH, told the graduates to ask themselves, “What kind of footprint will you leave behind?” These graduates are stepping out of the role of student and into the role of healer, and with that comes trust from patients whose ability to walk, work, and live fully will rest in their hands, she said.
“This is where your hands must be guided by your heart. Yes, your hands will become skilled and precise. They will do demanding work. And you’ll walk with confidence earned through long nights and hard decisions,” Truong said. “But it is your heart, your empathy, your presence, your humility, that gives that work meaning. These humanistic qualities aren’t extras. They are essential.”
As podiatric physicians, you will have the opportunity to help people walk without pain, stand without fear, and return to the activities and lives that give them purpose. But remember this: no two footprints are the same, Truong said.
“Behind every diagnosis is a person. A unique human being with their own story, fears, and hopes. Your patients are not problems to solve. They are people to serve,” she said. “The treads you leave will reflect how you choose to listen, how you choose to explain, and how you choose to treat those who may be vulnerable, frustrated, or afraid.”
WesternU President Robin Farias-Eisner, MD, PhD, MBA, presided over the ceremony. He thanked the Class of 2026 for taking this journey in higher education and for being the solution to the nation’s health professionals shortage crisis.
An article published recently in JAMA Network Open reported that there was a correlative 19.1% reduction in amputation odds for every 1 additional podiatrist per 10,000 Medicare beneficiaries in a low supply market. These findings suggest that increasing access to podiatric physicians may reduce amputations among patients with diabetic lower-extremity wounds, according to the article.
“That’s why you’re needed. You’re needed not only for the diabetic patient, but for all patients, regardless, well and not well,” Farias-Eisner said. “A heartfelt congratulations to you for all that you have achieved and for being our ambassadors. Always believe in your unique skill set, your training, and in yourselves.”
Prior to the ceremony, graduates eagerly prepared for this special moment. Reaching this milestone is very exciting, said CPM graduate Henna Bhakta, DPM ’26.
“I feel like just yesterday we were getting our white coats,” she said. “Time flew by really fast.”
Bhakta said she will miss “all the late-night study sessions with friends, and the laughter and giggles that came with it.”
CPM graduate Rameesha Asif-Sattar, DPM ’26, said she and her classmates could turn to the faculty at a moment’s notice for help.
“It’s scary to step out into the real world but we’re really excited, too,” Asif-Sattar said. “I chose podiatric medicine because it’s a very well-rounded career with so many subspecialties such as wound care, surgery, sports medicine, and you get to be surgeon and also do clinical work. It’s very diverse, saving people’s lives one foot at a time.”
