National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) honored its Summer 2026 graduating class on Friday, August 21. Graduates received diplomas in biomedical science, advanced clinical practice, acupuncture, chiropractic medicine and naturopathic medicine.
The commencement keynote address was delivered by Executive Director of the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC) JoAnn Yánez, ND, MPH, CAE. Dr. Yánez earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from Sonoran University, her Master of Public Health from Des Moines University and holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential. Additionally, she serves as a Professional Member of the Public Health Academy of the National Academies of Practice and has received several awards, including Physician of the Year from the New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians and Alumni Legacy Award from Sonoran University of Health Sciences.
In her address, Dr. Yánez reminisced on her experiences from when she was a student, highlighting that there’s beauty in not knowing every step of the way. She encouraged graduates to have courage, to take risks and to always continue to learn more.
“There are going to be moments where you feel totally prepared, and there will be plenty when you don’t. Move forward anyway,” Dr. Yánez advised. “I hope you have courage to take on the hard assignments… and use what you learned here not simply to build a successful career, but to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Graduates, congratulations on everything you have earned and accomplished. The road ahead is yours.”
Valedictorians from the graduating programs also shared reflections with their classmates, focusing on the friendships and memories formed at NUHS, the hard work and resilience that helped them reach graduation, and the importance of continuing to learn and serve patients with compassion, humility and integrity.
In his concluding remarks, NUHS President Joseph P.D. Stiefel, MS, EdD, DC, honored the graduates one more time as they ended this chapter of their lives. “Sometimes it’s not the great big things, but sometimes it’s the littlest things that create the largest spark. Congratulations, graduates!”
On behalf of the faculty, staff and administration of National University of Health Sciences, congratulations to the Summer 2026 graduating class!
Summer 2026 National University of Health Sciences Graduates
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences
Jaz Autumn Culpepper, Illinois
Sierra M. Wells, Illinois
Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine
Ciara J. Atkinson, Florida
Julia Rose Atkinson, Illinois
Mayra Barajas, Mexico
Brayden Carson Casper, Indiana
Timothy Edmund Curtin, New Hampshire
Samuel L. A. Gibbs, Canada
Bryce Daniel Goeden, Florida
Martha Georgena Kalyvas, Florida
Salah Mohammed Khan, Illinois
Sofia Kharkover, New York
Natasha Owens Mathis, Texas
Brandon J. McCorriston, Canada
Magdalena Ramirez, Florida
Jacob Thomas Rivard, Michigan
Gabrielle Danielle Smith, South Carolina
Austin Marsden Tchikatilov, Florida
Paige Weyer, Wisconsin
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Deborah Lynne Christensen, Pennsylvania
Diana My Dao, California
Alexandra Rebecca Livesay Duke, Indiana
Zoey Amber Freund, Wisconsin
Ahmed Saeed Habib, Canada
Kendra Nicole Hill, Tennessee
Sydney Danielle Kerzie, California
Sierra Camelia Kim, Texas
Tatiana Kojo, Illinois
Jamie Malinda-Maria McClain, Alabama
Samantha Molda-Zachary, Illinois
Yetunde Omotola Oyenuga, Nigeria
Keyzamar L. Roman-Ramirez, Puerto Rico
Angela R. Weber, Wisconsin
Master of Science in Advanced Clinical Practice
Tyree Devonte’ Allen, Alabama
Doctor of Acupuncture
Christine Elizabeth Geberbaue, Illinois
Lauren Elizabeth Warner, Ohio
Gyorgy Schrader Polczer, Pennsylvania
Master of Science in Diagnostic Imaging
Ayla May Osborn, Texas
Master of Science in Oriental Medicine
Yelitza E. Franco Perez, Puerto Rico
