On Dec. 12,NationalUniversity of Health Sciences (NUHS) celebrated the hard work and accomplishments of theFall2025 graduating class. Graduates received diplomas inbiomedical sciences,advanced clinical practice, acupuncture, oriental medicine, chiropracticmedicineand naturopathic medicine.
AlumnusRand Swenson, DC’ 76, MD, PhDdeliveredthecommencement keynote address.In additionto his clinical practice,Dr. Swenson has served as the chairofseveral departments and committees, includingthedepartment of anatomyandthe department of medical education,as well asthe admissions committeeand the faculty lead of the medical school accreditation committee.Additionally, heservedas a member of the National Board of Medical Examiners Task Force on Neurology and Neuroscience for six years.He is nowan emeritus professor of neurology and medical education atGeiselSchool of Medicine at Dartmouth.
In hisaddress,Dr.Swensonemphasizedthe importance of the graduates’connections with each otherandtheir loved ones.He encouraged themtocherish andnurture those relationships,as they willplay a vitalrolein their success.
“You’re going to find that your classmates are the pillar of supportand will be key in making this leap into the future,” Dr. Swenson said. “Class of 2025, please take this moment to acknowledge each other and the support of your loved ones in your success.Every ounce of effort you put intomaintainingand establishing those relationships and nurturing them will be repaid tenfold.”
Valedictorians of the biomedical sciences, acupuncture,Orientalmedicine,chiropracticmedicineand naturopathic medicine programs shared their words,memoriesand insights.
Aaron Juarez, valedictorian for the biomedical sciences class,sharedthatfinding out abouthis achievementgave hima deepsense of belonging. Heacknowledged thatthis achievement is the result of determination and unwavering support of loved ones.“Our resilience brought us to this moment, but wedidn’tget here alone. Our success was built on the support of our family, friends,teachersand the people who refused to let us quit.The real strength is built quietly, not in the celebrations, but in the late nights, early mornings and the tears,distressand determination that no one else saw.That’swhere our strength came from, andthat’swhat we carry with us into our futures.”
Rebecca Radford, valedictorian for themaster of sciencein acupuncture program,recognizedand thankedher parents, her partner,her three childrenand her patientsas theyall contributed tosupportingher journeyin earning her degree.“I wanted to acknowledge the people who have taught me what no book,no course or no instructor can teach:my patients. My patients have helped me build confidence in my ability as an acupuncturist.I have learned that even on my worst days, I still have something to give.On those long, tough days in the clinic, it never fails that one patient encounter will lift me up and keep me going.”
Valedictorian of themaster of sciencein Oriental medicine program, EddyToulassi-Dijinanreflectedon thegraduatesshared journeyshaped bypurposeand passion. Sheencouraged the class tocontinue to support and uplift oneanotheras they move forward.“As we step into the next chapter, may we carry forward the lessonwe’velearned to serve with integrity, to love without condition and to never stop learning.Here’sto the long nightsthatbecame mornings, to the friendship that became familyand to the calling that became our purpose. Congratulations, class of 2025. We made itbygrace,perseveranceand love.”
Mikaela Crocker, valedictorian for the chiropractic medicineprogram,stepped onto the stage withgratitude, pride anda touch ofdisbelief.As she was drawntopursuingaholistic approachto medicinelater inlife,she stoodreflecting onthejourneythat fulfilled hercalling.“Today marks the culmination of years of effort,resilienceand growth. It is a celebration not only of our academic achievements, but also of the dedication, sacrifices andunwaveringsupport of everyone who helped us reach this milestone.Ihopewe carry forward both the craftwe’veexcelled in and the purpose that brought us here today. Today, we are not just graduates. We are doctors. We are healers. We are leaders, and we are advocates for wellness and for a better way forward in medicine. Congratulations, class of 2025.We’vemade it, and I cannot wait to see the impact each of you will make in the world.”
Kristen Couture, valedictorian for the naturopathic medicineprogram,used aquotebyMayaAngelou to encapsulatewhat being a naturopathic physician truly means.“In our roles as physicians, we carry with us not only our knowledge, but the way we choose to show up for the people we serve. Maya Angelo reminds us that people may forget what we said, but they will never forget how we made them feel. In our work, that means taking the time to truly be with our patients.As we leave here today, our paths will take us in many different directions, yet wherever we go, we carry the same calling to heal, to listen and to remember the sacred responsibilityentrusted tous. May we walk forward with humility,courageand gratitude, honoring the people we meet and allowing them to shape us as much as we hope to support them.”
In his concluding remarks,NUHS President Joseph P.D. Stiefel, MS, EdD, DC,honored the graduates one more time as they end this chapter of their lives. “The graduates before us here today, they have done something incredible.They’regoing to take care ofmanyof people, andthey’regoing to change our world.”
On behalf of the faculty,staffand administration of National University of Health Sciences, congratulations to theFall2025 graduating class!
Fall 2025 National University of Health Sciences Graduates
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
Aaron X. Juarez……………………………………………………………………………Illinois
DOCTOR OF ACUPUNCTURE
Samantha Iris Shore……………………………………………………………………New Jersey
Crystalyn M. Barszcz………………………………………………………………………….Illinois
Lingman Sun………………………………………………………………………………………China
DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC MEDICINE
John Micha Asmus……………………………………………………………………………..Virginia
Julia Elizabeth Malosh…………………………………………………………………………..Illinois
Robert William Hinsberger………………………………………………………………………Illinois>
Ashley Lynn Robles………………………………………………………………………………….Florida
Cole Thomas Schneider…………………………………………………………………………..Michigan
Kathryn Ann Connolly………………………………………………………………………………..Illinois
Amanda Marie Kruis………………………………………………………………………………….Illinois
AnnaleahLouise Esp………………………………………………………………………………….Illinois
Joshua Abernathy……………………………………………………………………………………Michigan
Jenna Jean Stein……………………………………………………………………………………..Michigan
Carter Henry West………………………………………………………………………………………..Idaho
Maria Tkachuk………………………………………………………………………………………………Illinois
Kaylynn Sylvana Cooper…………………………………………………………………………………….Ohio
Amanda Mariam Farid Gabro………………………………………………………………………….Florida
Preston Wistar Owings………………………………………………………………………………….Michigan
Irving Leon…………………………………………………………………………………………………………Utah
Everette James Smith……………………………………………………………………………………….Florida
Mena Samuel Bassous……………………………………………………………………………………….Florida
Trae Michael Sinn…………………………………………………………………………………………………Ohio
Sara Hope Carbaugh…………………………………………………………………………………………..Virginia
KevinRosario………………………………………………………………………………………………….New York
Mitchell Charles Adrian……………………………………………………………………………………Wisconsin
Jordan Taylor Corey…………………………………………………………………………………………..Indiana
BenjaminEzsias………………………………………………………………………………………………..Illinois
MikaelaLynn Crocker………………………………………………………………………………………….Texas
Joseph Anthony Kernes………………………………………………………………………………………Illinois
Michael Patrick Murphy……………………………………………………………………………………….Illinois
Jesse Thomas Mingalone…………………………………………………………………………………New Jersey
LuisGermanoBuranelloNeves………………………………
Dylan James Parshall…………………………………………………………………………………………..Illinois
Ethan Matthew Conway…………………………………………………………………………………………Illinois
Connor Michael Hollenbeck…………………………………………………………………………North Carolina
Hunter Shelby Clarke……………………………………………………………………………………………..Illinois
Kyle R. Pigney……………………………………………………………………………………………………….Illinois
Jacob Ommen…………………………………………………………………………………………………………Illinois
Klairice Rose Schwartz…………………………………………………………………………………………Wisconsin
Alexsander Piotrowski……………………………………………………………………………………………….Illinois
Eytan Levin……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Florida
DOCTOR OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE
Laina Anne Torries……………………………………………………………………………………………..West Virginia
Kristen Kelli Couture…………………………………………………………………………………………..Massachusetts
Marie-Ange TOgoudou…………………………………………………………………………………………………..Illinois
Jamie Diane Roberts……………………………………………………………………………………………..North Carolina
Eddy Abla Toulassi-Djinan……………………………………………………………………………………………West Africa
MASTER OF ACUPUNCTURE
Kaylan Rodrianna Harrell……………………………………………………………………………………………….Alabama
Tanna Ann Miller……………………………………………………………………………………………………………Missouri
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ACUPUNCTURE
Rebecca K. Radford………………………………………………………………………………………………………Illinois
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICE
Ryan David Bosley…………………………………………………………………………………………………………Ohio
Celine Jamieson……………………………………………………………………………………………………..New York
LaAsia Q. Bell………………………………………………………………………………………………………New Jersey
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN OREITNEAL MEDICINE
Edgelyn Ledgeta Quanon………………………………………………………………………………..North Carolina
Eddy Abla Toulassi-Djinan…………………………………………………………………………………..West Africa
Winter Whitehorn……………………………………………………………………………………………………..Illinois
Thomas Joseph Imbrogno Jr………………………………………………………………………………Pennsylvania
