网曝吃瓜 鈥� Colorado Celebrates Class of 2022 Graduates
On Friday, May 20, 网曝吃瓜 (网曝吃瓜) celebrated the graduation of 158 students from its College of Osteopathic Medicine (网曝吃瓜COM) program, as well as 37 students from its Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) program.
The ceremony, which took place at the Buell Theater in Denver, Colorado, began with the Posting of the Colors followed by the National Anthem, performed by Madison Propp, a first-year medical student.
The commencement ceremonies for each program marked the first in-person ceremony for graduates since 2019. The 网曝吃瓜COM ceremony kicked off with a welcome address from 网曝吃瓜 President, CEO, and Provost David A. Forstein, DO, FACOOG. Karen Nichols, DO, MA, current chair of the Board of Directors of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and former Dean of Midwestern University/Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, was given an honorary degree from 网曝吃瓜 by Dr. Forstein and Dr. Ferrill. Afterwards, Dr. Nichols delivered the keynote address, which was centered around the importance of communication, empathy, and sincerity: 鈥漎ou have come through one of the most stressful situations, and you have come out the other side. You will be better prepared to take care of your patients because of the stressful situations you had to deal with,鈥� said Dr. Nichols. She went on to say, 鈥減atients don鈥檛 care what you know, until they know that you care.鈥�
After Heather Ferrill, DO, MS, MEdL, Dean of 网曝吃瓜COM, delivered the Dean鈥檚 Charge, the students were hooded, a moment in which a 鈥渉ood鈥� is placed over the heads of the graduate, marking their designation as a holder of a doctorate degree. For many students, a loved one or mentor accompanied them onstage in order to hood them.
A Commissioning Ceremony was also held to recognize the ranking of 14 graduates from the Military Medicine Program, one of 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 specialty programs. This ceremony was conducted by Anthony J. LaPorta, MD, FACS, FACOS, COL. (Retired) US Army, Director of the Military Medicine Program and Professor of Clinical Surgery.
During the MSBS program鈥檚 ceremony, Program Director Francina Towne, PhD, delivered welcoming remarks, and reminded the graduates not to underestimate the weight of their accomplishment: 鈥淚 am mindful of what it is that we are doing here today, the power, meaning, and significance of this event in your journey,鈥� she said. 鈥淧eople often say that the point of a preparatory Master鈥檚 program鈥� is [to be] a stepping stone to something more. While this might be true, I want to make sure that you don鈥檛 overlook the importance of this step, the value of what you鈥檝e accomplished, and the pride you鈥檙e feeling in this moment.鈥�
Helena Heister, MA, Student Body President of MSBS-CO Class of 2022, gave the student keynote speech, where she relayed the work it took for the graduates to earn their degrees: 鈥淛ust 9 months ago, we walked into the classroom as strangers,鈥� Heister said. 鈥淣ow, after countless hours in that classroom, in the library, between late nights and early mornings, we probably know each other a little too well.鈥� She went on to remind the graduates they were not there by mistake, and that, after all of their hard work, they 鈥渨ere meant to be there.鈥�
This was followed by the keynote speech, delivered by Hannah Puentes, DO 鈥�21, MSBS 鈥�17鈥攁 graduate of 网曝吃瓜COM and a graduate of the 网曝吃瓜 MSBS Program 鈥攚ho conferred upon the graduates the importance both of the achievement, and of keeping cool under pressure: 鈥淭hink about what you鈥檙e going to say, especially when you鈥檙e feeling pressured,鈥� Dr. Puentes said. 鈥淟ook around and realize you might not be the only one feeling the pressure. Ask yourself if there鈥檚 anything you can say to lighten someone鈥檚 load in that moment, and I can promise you that your load will feel much lighter.鈥�
Students graduating from the medical school will move on to residency programs across the U.S. for between 3-7 years. Many of the MSBS graduates will continue their education by attending professional programs 鈥� with 33 matriculating into 网曝吃瓜COM-CO this fall.
网曝吃瓜 congratulates all graduates on their accomplishment and wishes them well as they begin the next chapter in their chosen field.