National University of Health Sciences Honors Fall 2020 Graduates
Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Despite the continued global challenges presented by COVID-19,
National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) honored its fall 2020
graduates with a virtual graduation ceremony.
Remarks from NUHS President Joseph Stiefel, MS, EdD, DC, along
with the presentation of 55 graduates were the focus of the event.
The fall class of 2020 earned diplomas in chiropractic,
naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, oriental medicine, massage
therapy and biomedical science. Dr. Stiefel's remarks honored
graduates and remembered Dr. Robert Humphreys with a heartfelt
tribute.
"Congratulations to all of you from all of us on achieving your
academic goals, and special thanks to all of those who supported
you on this all-important journey," said Dr. Stiefel. "Professor
Robert Humphreys was a friend, mentor and professor of clinical
sciences for more than 37 years. He was a celebrated mind, and had
one of the most contagious laughs of anyone I can think of. Whether
teaching at a symposium or learning at one, he epitomized the
lifelong learner. It is my hope that all of us here at the
university--all of the alumni--can carry on his legacy as a
lifelong learner."
Valedictorians from each academic program, who typically give
speeches during the ceremony, also took a moment to share a few
words of gratitude and encouragement for their fellow students:
"I guess I never knew the purpose in my life until right now,"
said Brandon Joda, valedictorian of the massage therapy
program."I truly feel amazing doing the work that I am
doing, and I owe it to National's wonderful program, as well as my
family. Massage therapy is a service that I don't ever see
changing, even with all the technology today, because human touch
is irreplaceable." He concluded his speech by advising: "Never go
for the trophy. Go for the lifestyle of it all. It's this everyday
mindset that makes a person accomplish great things."
"The journey began a long time ago," said Velemira
Grecheva, valedictorian of the bachelor of science
program. "Up until now, we have been a team working as
one. We have done it all, and we have done it together. Without the
support of our families and teachers, we may not have made it to
this day. Let's honor their effort, and thank them for showing us
the right path to success. We have a fresh, blank page ahead of us.
It's up to us to grab our pens and write our own stories. So, let
us take what we have learned, and let it guide us through our
future."
Ashley Lopez-Maldonado, valedictorian of the acupuncture
program, recalled many of the dire global highlights of
2020, and expressed enthusiastic hope for the future because of
what she and her classmates learned at NUHS. "We give hope. There
is value and need for our medicine. I am so proud of all of us. Not
only the acupuncture and AOM cohort, but my naturopathic and
chiropractic classmates as well. You are changing someone's
lifeevery day, and you will continue to do so throughout your
entire life. Be the health care practitioner you wish you had. I am
so excited to see what amazing things we all do in this wild and
humbling journey."
Whitney Dunlop, chiropractic medicine
valedictorian offered deep gratitude to all the members of
her family, and encouraged gratefulness in her classmates. "Let
those who have gotten you to this point know just how much their
sacrifices mean to you. We have been immensely prepared to be
doctors. But the work doesn't end here. We must continue to love
and treat patients with the utmost respect and concern. And we must
become those doctors that finally change the way the world looks at
chiropractic medicine. Love your practice. Be grateful for your
patients. And be the light the world currently needs."
Kamila Bafia, naturopathic medicine
valedictorian acknowledged the difficult year behind the
graduates, and urged her classmates to take charge of their
experiences and memories. "Whether we have an in-person ceremony or
a virtual ceremony, we should be so incredibly proud of ourselves
for this huge accomplishment. What kind of experiences will you
create for yourself? What kind of memories will you make? When
things do not go quite as planned in life, how you handle the
roadblocks and challenges determines the experiences that you will
have and the memories you will make. Congratulations to the
graduating Class of 2020!
GRADUATES OF THE MASSAGE THERAPY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Jean F. Mueller
Klaudia K. Rusin
Jonathan Skonie
Charles Stewart, Jr.
GRADUATES OF THE ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE IN MASSAGE
THERAPY PROGRAM
Sasha Dofflemeyer
Brandon Joda
GRADUATES OF THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
PROGRAM
Liyna Demirelv
Velemira Gecheva
GRADUATES OF THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ACUPUNCTURE PROGRAM
Sarah Ann Ghekierevu
Christopher M. Hartmanu
Ashley Lopez-Maldonado
Taylor R. Tesar
GRADUATES OF THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ORIENTAL MEDICINE
PROGRAM
Tipsukhon Calfa
Yang Caov
Sul Heo
David Vang
GRADUATES OF THE CHIROPRACTIC MEDICINE PROGRAM
Allison Nathan Ailor
Jennifer Amaro
Thomas J. Ambrose
Viktoria Lubomirova Andonova
Ryan Bengtson
Daniel Cano
Anmol Chandock
Whitney Dunlop
Brandon Jacob
Andrew Kammerer
Thomas A. Kinney
Benjamin LaGard
Thomas Ermscher Marciano
Shane G. Martin
Damon Meixsell
Steffan Milleru
Dana Demenico Muligano
Daniel Neikens
Cody L. Noyes
Sergio Ortega-Marquez
Addison A. Ozakyol
Kristi Pajcini
Justin Phillip
Gytis Savukynas
Paul Daniel Shirk
Garrett Zavesky
GRADUATES OF THE NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE PROGRAM
Kamila Monika Bafia
Tolulola Bayode
Aquilla Anita Braxton
Princess L. Burnett
Konrad Chojnowski
Kamilah Hamilton
Kelsie Herrera
Megan Lester
Jasmine Renee Morris
James C. Morton, Jr.
Crystal Lynn Sciarini
Mari Rosa Seda Sánchez
David Vang