UTMB’s School of Health Professions celebrated its largest graduating class, with nearly 360 students, at its Aug. 14 commencement ceremony at Moody Gardens Convention Center in Galveston.
The ceremony featured commencement speaker and distinguished UTMB School of Health Professions alumus Mario Celis. Dr. Danny Jacobs, UTMB executive vice president, provost and dean of the School of Medicine, conferred the degrees, which include bachelor’s and master’s degrees in clinical laboratory sciences; bachelor’s degrees in respiratory care; master’s degrees in occupational therapy, health professions and physician assistant studies; and doctoral degrees in physical therapy.
“This is the culmination of years of hard work and determination of our students,” said Elizabeth Protas, vice president and dean of the School of Health Professions. “We are very proud of the achievements of these fine individuals and know that they will make a tremendous, positive impact in their health care careers. I congratulate everyone on this tremendous accomplishment.”
In addition to the degrees, several awards were given to students who performed above and beyond their studies.
The John G. Bruhn Award for Professionalism recognizes a senior student who consistently displays, in personal and professional conduct, traits that bring credit to himself or herself, the school and his or her health profession. This year’s award went to Allison Rankin.
The Student Honor Award recognizes the graduating student who has contributed the most to his or her peers, the school, the university, and the community. This year’s winner was Claire Conroy.
The Interprofessional Scholar Medal was new to this year’s ceremony and is awarded to students who embody UTMB’s interprofessional philosophy of working collaboratively with other health care professionals, community-based providers, patients and patients’ families to enhance health care. To obtain this distinction, students must participate in collaborative interprofessional activities and document their involvement through refl ective writings that are included in a students’ professional website.
The inaugural winners of the Interprofessional Scholar Medal were Madison Carbaugh, Clinical Laboratory Sciences; Ricardo David Gonzalez Morones, Clinical Laboratory Sciences; Huy Le, Clinical Laboratory Sciences; Kaitlyn A. Nelson, Physician Assistant Studies; and Arpita Gunvantbhai Patel, Physician Assistant Studies.
Health professionals include key groups, such as laboratory personnel, physician assistants, and physical, occupational and respiratory therapists, among others. They represent 60 percent of the Texas health care work force.
As the Texas population grows and ages, serious chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, stroke, heart disease, chronic lung disease and arthritis, will increase dramatically. According to the American Medical Association, there will be an avalanche of need for health providers to care for these conditions.
“Our graduates will fill a vital role in the nation’s changing health care landscape,” said Protas.
Established in 1968, the UTMB School of Health Professions has educated more than 11,000 professionals who serve in the nation’s health care workforce.