On Dec. 12, National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) celebrated the hard work and accomplishments of the Fall 2025 graduating class. Graduates received diplomas in biomedical sciences, advanced clinical practice, acupuncture, oriental medicine, chiropractic medicine and naturopathic medicine.
Alumnus Rand Swenson, DC’ 76, MD, PhD delivered the commencement keynote address. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Swenson has served as the chair of several departments and committees, including the department of anatomy and the department of medical education, as well as the admissions committee and the faculty lead of the medical school accreditation committee. Additionally, he served as a member of the National Board of Medical Examiners Task Force on Neurology and Neuroscience for six years. He is now an emeritus professor of neurology and medical education at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.
In his address, Dr. Swenson emphasized the importance of the graduates’ connections with each other and their loved ones. He encouraged them to cherish and nurture those relationships, as they will play a vital role in their success.
“You’re going to find that your classmates are the pillar of support and 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 into maintaining and establishing those relationships and nurturing them will be repaid tenfold.”
Valedictorians of the biomedical sciences, acupuncture, Oriental medicine, chiropractic medicine and naturopathic medicine programs shared their words, memories and insights.
Aaron Juarez, valedictorian for the biomedical sciences class, shared that finding out about his achievement gave him a deep sense of belonging. He acknowledged that this achievement is the result of determination and unwavering support of loved ones. “Our resilience brought us to this moment, but we didn’t get here alone. Our success was built on the support of our family, friends, teachers and 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, distress and determination that no one else saw. That’s where our strength came from, and that’s what we carry with us into our futures.”
Rebecca Radford, valedictorian for the master of science in acupuncture program, recognized and thanked her parents, her partner, her three children and her patients as they all contributed to supporting her journey in 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 the master of science in Oriental medicine program, Eddy Toulassi-Dijinan reflected on the graduates shared journey shaped by purpose and passion. She encouraged the class to continue to support and uplift one another as they move forward. “As we step into the next chapter, may we carry forward the lesson we’ve learned to serve with integrity, to love without condition and to never stop learning. Here’s to the long nights that became mornings, to the friendship that became family and to the calling that became our purpose. Congratulations, class of 2025. We made it by grace, perseverance and love.”
Mikaela Crocker, valedictorian for the chiropractic medicine program, stepped onto the stage with gratitude, pride and a touch of disbelief. As she was drawn to pursuing a holistic approach to medicine later in life, she stood reflecting on the journey that fulfilled her calling. “Today marks the culmination of years of effort, resilience and growth. It is a celebration not only of our academic achievements, but also of the dedication, sacrifices and unwavering support of everyone who helped us reach this milestone. I hope we carry forward both the craft we’ve excelled 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’ve made it, and I cannot wait to see the impact each of you will make in the world.”
Kristen Couture, valedictorian for the naturopathic medicine program, used a quote by Maya Angelou to encapsulate what 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 responsibility entrusted to us. May we walk forward with humility, courage and 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’re going to take care of many of people, and they’re going to change our world.”
On behalf of the faculty, staff and administration of National University of Health Sciences, congratulations to the Fall 2025 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
Annaleah Louise 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
Kevin Rosario………………………………………………………………………………………………….New York
Mitchell Charles Adrian……………………………………………………………………………………Wisconsin
Jordan Taylor Corey…………………………………………………………………………………………..Indiana
Benjamin Ezsias………………………………………………………………………………………………..Illinois
Mikaela Lynn Crocker………………………………………………………………………………………….Texas
Joseph Anthony Kernes………………………………………………………………………………………Illinois
Michael Patrick Murphy……………………………………………………………………………………….Illinois
Jesse Thomas Mingalone…………………………………………………………………………………New Jersey
Luis Germano Buranello Neves………………………………………………………………………………..Brazil
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 T Ogoudou…………………………………………………………………………………………………..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
