The National University of Health Sciences community came together on campus today to celebrate the university’s most recent graduates and their many academic accomplishments. 

David Scott O’Bryon, JD, CAE, LLD, FICC, the past, long-serving Executive Director/President of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges, served as commencement speaker. He gave an inspiring address about the shifting landscape of integrative medicine highlighting the increased access to chiropractic care at Veterans hospitals, rising levels of women in the chiropractic field, and today’s larger geriatric patient population. 

“This generation is going to have large expectations for you all,” he said.  

He challenged students to thank those that inspired them to pursue their current fields and to continue educating themselves. 

“It’s a journey and it’s not over,” he said.  

He also noted how graduates will be at the forefront of today’s health issues. 

“Whatever degree and program you go into, the world is much more open to you than it was a decade ago,” he said. 

Valedictorians from each of the degree programs followed with their own speeches, sharing their gratitude to those that supported them and their excitement about their future careers. 

“To make a real impact, we must maintain our passion,” said Alex Leiser, valedictorian of the Master of Science inOriental Medicine program.

Kaylee Rae Confer, valedictorian of the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program, talked about her readiness to make the world a healthier place. 

”We empower our patients through education as we have been empowered by our education,” she said. “Our dream, our vision has been realized.” 

Peter C. Kinsella, valedictorian of the Doctor of Chiropractic program, gave an emotional speech, discussing the close bonds he had developed with his classmates, many of whom are now moving across the country to start their careers.  

He advised his fellow graduates to, “Keep pushing the boundaries and stay curious about it all.”  

 

Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences graduates 

Joshua Itano 

Stephanie S. Kos 

Sonia Caroline Sochacki 

Cherise D. Wright 

Doctor of Chiropractic graduates 

Colby Bessette 

Courtney Brown-Moore 

Jordan Crain 

Rachel Francis 

Peter C. Kinsella 

Katrina M. Krutzik 

Jacinda M. Lisi 

Kaleb Jamaal McElwee 

Priyanka Narkhede 

Devin Radford 

Catherine Agnes Saletnik-Maziarz 

Clayton Schumacher 

David J. Stronko 

Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine graduates 

Justina Baranauskaite 

Tina Barrett 

Angelica Christine Clark 

Kaylee Rae Confer 

Dominique Cureton 

Tara Jakubek 

Sonia V. Joubert 

Ashley Marie Lopez-Maldonado 

Ashley Rice 

Ali I. Sobh 

Tiffani Becerra Alwazan 

Madison Taylor Vidovich 

Master of Science in Acupuncture graduates 

Brittany DuMelle 

Jacinda M. Lisi 

Jennifer Wilhelmi 

Master of Science in Oriental Medicine graduates 

Alex Leiser 

Danielle Pureifory 

Master of Science in Advanced Clinical Practice graduates 

Frank W. Frydrych Jr. 

Gerald Monk