On August 15, National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) celebrated the hard work and accomplishments of the Summer 2025 graduating class. Graduates received diplomas in biomedical sciences, advanced clinical practice, acupuncture, chiropractic medicine and naturopathic medicine.
State Representative Terra Costa Howard delivered the commencement keynote address. Costa Howard is now in her fourth term in the General Assembly. She represents the 42nd House District and serves as a Chair of House Human Services Committee and Vice Chair of the Adoption & Child Welfare Committee.
In her address, Costa Howard emphasized th
e positive impact graduates will have in the health care field. She encouraged them to stay connected with the University and future NUHS students, highlighting the importance of collaboration in advancing holistic care.
“As you graduate, you can be proud that you have earned your degrees at this rigorous institution and have so much to give,” Costa Howard said. “Your holistic approach to medical care will greatly enhance the lives of the people in your care, and you will bring a new awareness to what health care can and should look like. We are all so grateful to you for bringing your time, your energy, your dedication, your intelligence and your hope to make improvements to people’s lives. I wish you all the best. Congratulations!”
Valedictorians of the biomedical sciences, chiropractic medicine and naturopathic medicine programs shared their words, memories and insights.
Madeline McGrane, valedictorian for the biomedical sciences class, noted the bittersweet nature of graduation. “Although today marks the end of a journey we’ve poured so much of ourselves into, it is also just the beginning of a brand-new chapter in our lives. With the education, resources and friends that we’ve made throughout our time here, I’m confident this chapter of our lives will be the best one yet.”
Co-valedictorians for the chiropractic medicine program, Michaela Slater and Savannah Ewing, reflected on their time at NUHS and recognized the dedication of fellow graduates.
Slater reflected on the moments that shaped her journey, like tutoring, ortho games, walks around Lake Janse and morning Starbucks runs. “What stands out to me most isn’t just one moment, but a collection of memories that have shaped who I’ve become. These were the moments that stitched this journey together. The laughs, the lessons and the bonds we formed along the way.”
Ewing spoke about the support system behind every graduate. “This moment is much bigger than me. It’s shared by every person graduating today who held on to a dream, showed up when it was hard and believed in something greater than themselves. What we’ve done together is nothing short of remarkable. We’re an extraordinary group of people united not just by a by a curriculum, but by a calling, a shared goal and purpose beyond ourselves, and that, more than anything, is what makes today so meaningful.”
Kelsey Kussro, valedictorian for the naturopathic medicine program, emphasized the graduate’s role in the future of health care. “The way people view medicine is changing, and we will be the bridge between what was and what can be. To my fellow graduates, this is our moment. Let us go forward with integrity, with open hearts and sharp minds, and with the knowledge that what we do next has the power to shape and change the future of medicine.”
In his concluding remarks, NUHS President Joseph P.D. Stiefel, MS, EdD, DC, left graduates with a piece of advice, “Graduates, it might not be next week. It might not be next month. But if you find yourself in a hard situation, take that moment to pause, understand and know, as we do, that you are ready. Congratulations, graduates. Give ‘em hell.”
On behalf of the faculty, staff and administration of National University of Health Sciences, congratulations to the Summer 2025 graduating class!
SUMMER 2025 NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES GRADUATES
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
Aimee Arceo…………………………………………………….. Michigan
Felicia Lee Bellinger……………………………………………………….Illinois
Kira Klapprodt……………………………………………………..Illinois
Madeline McGrane………………………………………………Illinois
Sabrina Tossing…………………………………………………..Illinois
Shannon M. Wall………………………………………………..New York
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ADVANCE CLINICAL PRACTICE
Angel R. Gonzalez Duran………………………………………..Florida
Addison Ozakyol…………………………………………….New Mexico
DOCTOR OF ACUPUNCTURE
Reecha S. Patel………………………………………………………..Illinois
Sobhana Vasan…………………………………………………………Illinois
DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC
Luke Aguirre…………………………………………………………..Illinois
Denise Katherine Dandino………………………………………Florida
Savannah Rae Ewing……………………………………………Florida
Madison Lilley……………………………………………………..Missouri
Jacqueline Lord………………………………………………….Wisconsin
Eric Nalbandian………………………………………………Connecticut
Brianna Loray Nelson…………………………………………….Virginia
Andrea Nichole Orleanskiu…………………………………….Florida
Shah-Zeb Raja…………………………………………………………Illinois
George Rodis………………………………………………………….Illinois
Rosabelys Rodriguezu…………………………………………….Florida
Tonya Singleton…………………………………………… West Virginia
Michaela Noelle Slater…………………………………….. Michigan
Kelby Robert Steiner……………………………………………….Illinois
Alejandro Toledo……………………………………………………..Illinois
John Van Dam………………………………………………………..Florida
Chao Wang…………………………………………………………….Florida
Brandon Wilkes II…………………………………………………Missouri
DOCTOR OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE
Marissa Campos………………………………………………….Illinois
Kaleah Duval………………………………………………………New York
Leah Gusching…………………………………………………………. Ohio
Faiyza Jeelani…………………………………………………………..Illinois
Kelsey Kussro …………………………………………………. Michigan
Lauren Lunder…………………………………………………… Michigan
Jorge Luis Morales Cardona…………………………….. Puerto Rico
Edgelyn Ledgeta Quanon………………………………………..Liberia
Ellianna McCarthy Sternberg ………………………………..Illinois
