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WesternU Commencement concludes with College of Health Sciences ceremonies

by Rodney Tanaka

July 24, 2020

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WesternU MSPA graduates celebrate Commencement July 24, 2020.

Western University of Health Sciences concluded Commencement ceremonies for about 1,070 graduates in nine colleges on Friday, July 24, 2020.

The ceremonies began with the College of Pharmacy on May 13 and ended with two virtual celebrations for the College of Health Sciences (CHS) on July 24. In the morning, CHS’s Department of Physician Assistant Education ceremony celebrated 95 graduates. In the afternoon, the College presented six graduates in the Master of Science in Health Sciences program and 60 Doctor of Physical Therapy graduates.

WesternU College of Health Sciences Interim Dean Dee Schilling, PT, PhD, FNAP.

When these graduates entered their programs, CHS Interim Dean Dee Schilling, PT, PhD, FNAP, said she spoke to them about the “three Rs” for academic success: reflection, resilience and resourcefulness.

“Class of 2020, you not only demonstrated your ongoing ability for reflection, resilience and resourcefulness, but you have defined it,” she said. “My charge for you is to not lose sight of what you achieved, but more importantly, remember how you achieved it. Your keys to your professional success lie in these skills that you have channeled and utilized to overcome all of the challenges you have faced.

She emphasized to all the graduates that “You’ve got this.”

“It takes a team. We are all in this together. We all learn from each other, including our patients,” Schilling said. “Be good listeners. Stay positive. There is always something to be grateful for. Lastly, take time to re-energize and rejuvenate. You must take care of yourself to take care of others.

“If you add these to your already well-developed skills of reflection, resilience and resourcefulness, the future is yours,” Schilling added. “You are not only the future of health care, but you are the leaders that we will need as we embark on this new landscape of health care.”

Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate Alicia Wagner moves her tassel to the left, signifying her transition from student to alumna of WesternU.

WesternU Senior Vice President and Provost David Baron, DO, MSEd, conferred the degrees on behalf of the Board of Trustees and President Daniel R. Wilson, MD, PhD, who provided a video message of congratulations and encouragement.

“I’m hoping all of us at this graduation ceremony today – students, faculty and family members – can walk away with a genuine sense of pride not only in what you achieved personally but what the University has been able to achieve as a family,” Baron said. “As we look back on this years from now, I think this will be indelibly ingrained in our minds forever that you can feel proud not only of your work but the work that we did together to navigate through this and to prepare you for what I’m sure will be outstanding and successful careers as health care providers.”

MSHS and DPT graduates and faculty celebrate the conclusion of their Commencement ceremony.

 

 

 

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