(instrumental music) - Greetings.

I'm Dr. Andrea Amalfitano, dean of the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

It is my pleasure to serve as the dean and welcome all of you to our commencement ceremony.

You will see nearly 300 students of our class of 2021 graduate today as doctors of osteopathic medicine from our three sites, at East Lansing, Detroit Medical Center and the Macomb University Center.

I'd like to recognize first each of our military graduates, so we can acknowledge their dedication and service to our country.

Captain Michael D. Czarnecki, US Army.

Captain Kelsy M. Dimeff, U.S. Air Force.

Captain Crystal G. Donders, U.S. Army.

Captain Ryan M. Hodgeman, U.S. Army.

Captain John Jensen, U.S. Army.

Lieutenant Christa E. Kerbow, U.S. Navy.

Lieutenant Christian Blair Przeslawski, U.S. Navy.

Captain Maithri Reddy, U.S. Army.

Captain R. Corinne Rezentes, U.S. Air Force.

And Captain Steven B. Siemieniak, U.S. Air Force.

Please join in the singing of "America the Beautiful".

You'll find the lyrics in the program.

(piano music) ♪ O beautiful for spacious skies ♪ ♪ For amber waves of grain ♪ ♪ For purple mountain majesties ♪ ♪ Above the fruited plain ♪ ♪ America America ♪ ♪ God shed His grace on thee ♪ ♪ And crown thy good with brotherhood ♪ ♪ From sea to shining sea ♪ ♪ Shining sea ♪ - We will now be welcomed by MSU's president, Samuel L. Stanley.

- Hello, Spartan graduates.

I wish I could be here today to share this joyful milestone with you.

But I'm so pleased we can offer you an in-person ceremony after a very challenging year.

I know you've put in a lot of hard work getting to this day and I salute your dedication.

It's also a happy occasion for Michigan State.

A great university and its world-class education stem from the efforts of many dedicated people, starting with the family and friends who supported you through your years here.

And with your degree, you validate the contributions of our community, of faculty, staff, alumni, and stakeholders.

It affirms MSU's commitment to making a positive difference in the world.

You become the next generation of contributors, creators, and problem solvers.

Your MSU degree energized with your determination is a lifelong asset and platform for success.

It is also a source of affiliation that can support an engaged and rewarding life.

You now join a network of more than a half, a million Spartan alumni around the world.

So congratulations.

Go forth with confidence.

And Go Green.

- I would now like to introduce members of the platform party who have played an important role in the education of our graduates.

Dr. Norman J. Beauchamp Jr., executive vice president for health sciences.

Dr. Katherine Ruger, associate dean, admissions and student life and assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry.

Dr. Kirsten Waarala, associate dean, medical education and associate professor osteopathic medical specialties.

Dr. Susan M. Enright, assistant dean, clerkship education and associate professor osteopathic medical specialties.

It's now my honor to introduce our commencement speaker.

Dr. Karen Nichols is a groundbreaking leader, a history maker, and an inspiration to generations.

Her medical career began in Arizona, where she graduated from Arizona State University with an undergraduate degree in medical technology.

She went on to earn a master's degree in management with a specialty in healthcare administration from Central Michigan University, and later earned her doctorate from the University of Health Services, better known as Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1981.

Dr. Nichols practiced general internal medicine in geriatrics in Mesa, Arizona for 17 years before serving as dean of Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine from 2002 to 2018.

Currently as a professor of internal medicine at Midwestern University in both the Chicago and Arizona colleges of osteopathic medicine.

She is the first woman to serve as president of the American College of Osteopathic Internists, the American Osteopathic Association, and the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association, and holds honorary doctorates with a number of osteopathic medical schools across the country, including A.T.

Still University, as well as Philadelphia and DeBusk Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

She's a fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Internists, and is a seminal figure in osteopathic medical education, health policy development, and then working to build diversity and inclusion in the health professions.

In additions to her stellar career, she's currently chair elect to the Board of Directors for the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, and is one of the first four DOs to be elected to this board.

It is truly my great privilege to welcome Dr. Karen Nichols.

- I bet you thought you were done taking tests for awhile, but I've got one more for you.

Three questions a section, two sections.

Now I'm recording this a few weeks before graduation.

So right now, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are heavy in the news and Prince Harry has a brother, Prince William, and he and his wife, Kate have three children.

Can you name all three children?

Extra credit if you got their middle names as well.

Second question.

Name the last three vice presidents of the United States.

Kamala Harris doesn't count.

And last question, we're also in the middle of March madness, the NCAA basketball tournament.

Can you name the last three winners of the NCAA basketball tournament?

And extra credit if you can name the winners who are in the men's tournament and in the women's tournament.

So how do you do?

Now if we were in-person, I would ask people to raise their hands for everybody who got all the questions right.

And you can assume how many people have been able to do that.

So let's see how you do on section two.

Name three people that you called when you got into Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Secondly, name three people that you studied with when you had a particularly demanding exam coming up.

And last, name three people who you consulted when you were trying to figure out what your specialty should be.

So how do you do on that?

Well, of course you did great.

But what about that first group?

Those people were in the news for days, if not weeks.

And how come you didn't get those answers right?

Well, you know you don't care about them, and frankly they don't care about you.

But that second group, those are people you care about very, very much.

And that's the essence of my talk.

That being a good physician means that you have mastered that body of knowledge that you have been studying for the last four years.

Being a great physician is when you learn how to care.

Now, Francis Peabody addressing the Harvard Medical School students in 1925 said, "The secret of caring for the patient is in caring for the patient."

So I have three stories I want to relate to you from my own personal experience and perspective.

The first one was when I was a third year medical student and I had a three month rural rotation in Joplin, Missouri, and a woman came in under her own power, but just barely.

And she had had a massive myocardial infarction and had suffered a significant congestive heart failure episode.

And in a very short period of time, she died.

And the husband and the sons were out in the waiting room and the physician went out to give them the news.

And I tagged along, 'cause I'd never seen anyone deliver such dreadful news.

And the physician said, "Mrs. Jones came in with a very serious heart attack and we did everything we could, and I'm sorry to tell you, she's deceased."

Family didn't say a word.

The doctor shook hands all around and left and the family still stood there in stunned silence as I did.

And then the husband leaned down to me and he said, "But is she gonna make it?"

And I shook my head, no.

They did not know what the word deceased meant.

And I swore then I would always emphasize communication so that my patients understood everything that was going on with their medical situation.

Now, the second story I want to tell you is not exactly a medical story, but it does make my point.

Daniel Schorr was a famous political commentator.

Long gone now.

But I heard him being interviewed one time.

And the interviewer said, "So tell me the best piece of advice you ever got."

And he said, "Oh, I can reflect on that one."

He said, "When I was a cub reporter, I went to my first editor and I said, 'can you tell me what I have to do to be a really good reporter?'

And the editor said, 'Oh, that's easy.

You have to be sincere.'

He said, 'If you're not sincere, you're not going to get the story accurately from the people you're interviewing.

And when you're presenting the story later, as a reporter, if you're not sincere, people are not really going to understand what's going on.'

He said, 'Sincerity, that's the secret.

When you can learn to fake that, you'll be fine.'"

Well, of course you can't.

Studies have shown that patients make a decision about the patient physician interaction and the ability to trust that physician based on their sincerity in working together in the first 18 seconds.

So communication and sincerity are very important parts of caring.

I had a OB-GYN professor in Kansas City who said, "Your patients don't care what you know, until they know that you care."

What about that third story?

Well, I've changed it up based on the situation that we're in.

This is a story about a man who was a vocal abolitionist.

And he lived in a state where slavery was legal.

He perfected his craft as a physician in the Civil War.

His first wife died of complications of childbirth, and ultimately he buried four of his young children.

Now you know who I'm talking about, Andrew Taylor Still, the father of our profession.

And you probably know those facts, but you may not know these.

He and his family donated almost 500 acres to Baker University to start that institution in Kansas.

And when Dr.

Still was not busy seeing patients, he was milling wood to make lumber to build the buildings at Baker University.

But when he applied to give a public lecture, discussing his concepts about the osteopathic thought, Baker University refused.

They called him a lunatic.

They called him a heretic.

He was ostracized.

He was run out of town, two towns, but he developed something very important, resilience.

Because of his resistance and his work and dedication, he developed a uniquely American healthcare brand and approach.

And it has spread worldwide.

Now, you're caught up in something else that has spread worldwide, the pandemic.

And I would say, just as Dr.

Still developed resilience and built this wonderful profession, you have developed resilience.

And that is why you are here today in this ceremony.

So resilience, caring, what does that have to do with each other?

Obviously communication and sincerity are important parts of caring.

I am going to submit that you are going to be even better doctors because of the experiences that you have gone through.

Since time in memorial physicians have led their patients through change.

The patients have had to face uncertainty in the changes of their life plans and have developed a fresh appreciation of the healthcare risk.

And now you are entering a profession where the physicians are leading in change, and we are facing uncertainty in life plans, and are facing a fresh appreciation of health risk.

And I would submit that you are learning how to relate better to your patients because you are experiencing what they experience.

Those of us who learned our medical craft in an easier time, salute you.

So your next stop is residency.

By being resilient, you will continue to rise to the challenge to perfect your knowledge and skills for the ultimate purpose of every physician, caring for our fellow human beings.

So you've dedicated your hands and your minds to this important purpose, but much more importantly, you have dedicated your hearts and it's okay.

You're ready.

Congratulations, class of 2021.

- You will now receive greetings from MSU Board of Trustees, Chairperson, Ms. Dianne Byrum.

- Hello.

On behalf of the Michigan State Board of Trustees, I want to welcome our graduates, their families and friends that are joining us today.

Under the Michigan constitution, the Board of Trustees is the governing body of the university by whose authority degrees are awarded.

Today's ceremony represents the culmination of your academic achievement.

It honors those that have supported and encouraged you.

Our wish is that you will use your intelligence and knowledge to improve the lives in your community and to advance the common good.

Along with our faculty and administrators, MSU's trustees are proud of you.

Please let us add our congratulations.

Thank you.

And Go Green.

- You will now receive a greeting from MSU provost and executive vice president of academic affairs, Dr. Teresa K. Woodruff.

- Many thanks to everyone joining us today for the celebrative occasion.

To our graduates, congratulations on your scholarly success.

Commencement serves as a marker of both your academic accomplishment and your transition to a world of new opportunities.

Since my August arrival, as provost, I've been impressed by your hard work and tenacity.

Even during times of unprecedented adversity, you have shown great resilience and resolve to continue forward in your studies.

I know that you will go forward in the same spirit and continue that good work, whatever you do, and wherever you go.

Each of you graduating today has acquired a unique combination of knowledge and skills during your time here at Michigan State University.

Your coursework, extracurricular activities and experiences over the years have culminated in a synergy of unique assets and capabilities that differentiate you from other graduates.

The individual strengths of each of you and the collective power of all of you, the class of 2021 are bound to make an extraordinary impact.

As our newest graduates, you are abundantly equipped to tackle the seemingly intractable problems of our day.

We are all counting on you to become the thought leaders and doers of the 21st century, who will lead our world to a better place.

Congratulations, and best wishes for your onward journey.

- You will now hear remark from Ms. Deanna Ingrassia Miano, president class of 2021.

- Welcome from my living room to yours.

And most of all, congratulations to our class of 2021.

Before I get started, I want to take a moment and thank all the family and friends who are not only celebrating with us today, but who have allowed us to lean on them a little extra over the last few years.

For some, this moment may be just as meaningful for you as it is for us.

I can speak not only for myself, but for many colleagues, in saying this degree may not have been possible without you.

So cheers to you all.

Secondly, I'd like to recognize Dr. Amalfitano, Dr. Ruger, Dr. Waarala, Dr. Enright, Dr. Beauchamp, and the countless other faculty and staff here at MSUCOM.

You all have demonstrated unbelievable leadership and support throughout our tenure.

As we leave here today, we hope to carry on the MSUCOM legacy and keep you proud.

Now, for the guests of honor, that will be us, our MSUCOM class of 2021, just take a moment, take this in, and then think back to where we started.

How did we get here?

Maybe you come from a family of healthcare providers and today you're carrying on that honorable torch, or perhaps you broke barriers and pioneered your path to medicine, embarking on an adventure you hadn't quite stumbled upon until later in life.

Regardless of circumstance, regardless of which city, state, or even country you may originate from, our paths all intersected here, at one of the most prominent osteopathic medical schools in the nation.

We've grown immensely since our early years and the hours and pages endured are immeasurable.

With each course in rotation, came both knowledge and sacrifice, but by no surprise, this group made it to the other side.

I think it's safe to say we started school both naive and nervous.

The whole scope of learning changed.

I remember asking, so there's a thoracic duct, a bile duct, and a pancreatic duct.

And to be clear, they're not the same thing, right.

And we learned that the piriformis is a muscle, good thing.

Because if you'd asked me what the piriformis was a few years back, I would have told you it was a name of a Greek God.

These questions were never ending, yet the uncertainty was common to us all.

Hours spent in the classroom with one another may outweigh time spent with family and friends in the outside world.

Yet it's here where community bound together for the first time.

And we developed a network of colleagues, which would not only carry us through medical academia, but remain with us for the duration of our careers.

Second and third year brought about new challenges too, board exams, your first hospital shift as a doctor in training, learning how to not break the sterile field.

We learned to integrate a working schedule with an academic schedule as we balanced shifts and studying.

We adapted from a life of pure book study to a live action style of learning.

I think we soon realized the hours spent in the library weren't necessarily the finish line, but rather a foundation which would prepare us for a career inclusive to a lifetime of learning.

These hospital experiences guided us to find who we are as clinicians and surgeons and trained us to have an ambition, unlike anything we carried in our previous life.

That very ambition, however, was put to the test at the start of our final year or so.

And as we reflect back on medical school now, and in the future, it may be difficult for us to disallow 2020 from being the most prominent memory for MSUCOM tenure.

Please know, that as difficult as this time may have been for us, we shouldn't minimize the dedication, support and efforts put forth prior in order to get here today.

We had family who sustained us, a college which guided us, classmates who remained alongside us, and most of all, each of us had a sense of grit and tenacity for all those years, which played a part in preparing us for the unexpected.

Yet it's still difficult to inclusively answer as to how we made it through this unique year.

What did we do differently, if anything at all?

I thought about this a lot, and I tend to look back to something my college Lacrosse coach used to say to the team, I'm gonna share it with you today.

During difficult times, she'd remind us to control the controllable.

Three little words, yet they truly made all the difference back then, and especially now.

Ultimately, it means we will never have a say as to what life brings us, yet we will always have the ability to shape the outcomes we seek through our own actions.

And that's exactly what we've done to you guys.

Rather than succumbing to challenge, we rose to the occasion and picked up momentum during a time where the world around us seemingly appeared still.

As we prepare to enter one of the most competitive job markets in the nation, alongside unexpected turbulence in our academic, social, political, and personal lives, we continue to strive forward towards our goals.

As the life we once knew transitioned into something restlessly unfamiliar, we shifted our strategy and overcame each and every hurdle which came our way.

We not only persevered professionally while interviewing in our best suit tops and pajama bottoms, but we also went the distance and further extended ourselves into society as we volunteered on the front lines in advocated for our communities.

This year, we cultivated a new dimension of understanding, perhaps not only in medicine, but even in life as a whole.

As graduates, this added layer of wisdom is unique to our cohort.

So someday, when the dust settles and you think back to your how, remember this momentum, remember this drive and never let it go.

Because the next time we'll have to dig this deep, it won't only be for ourselves but for the wellbeing of our patients.

Some heavy stuff, right, but it's totally true.

Yet we've already proven to ourselves that we can handle challenge, and despite hardship, we're able to attain our ambitions.

So please remember this moment of fulfillment and realize now, and for the rest of our careers, that this degree has been undeniably earned by each of us.

So if you remember anything I say today, anything at all from the girl with the clear glasses and squeaky voice, I ask you to remember this, remember our motivations which led us here, remember our support systems which carried us through, and lastly, remember how each and every one of us controlled the controllable to achieve all that we have here today.

On behalf of the entire 2021 E-board, and from the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you to each of you.

Thank you for allowing us to be your voice through both difficult and triumphant times.

Kyle, Megan, Ryan, Allie, Bohdan, Nick, Leana and Evan have been fabulous leaders and teammates.

The strides made would not have been possible without their efforts.

As we leave here today, I can only hope we've positively impacted your MSUCOM student experience.

For me personally, no words can truly express my appreciation for you all and the impression you've forever left in my medical career.

I am and always will be honored to have been your president.

It has been an amazing ride.

2021, I want to wish everyone the best of luck as we move forward.

I truly hope we cross paths again sometime soon.

Go Green.

- Thank you, Deanna.

I ask our graduates to please stand.

On behalf of the president, who has delegated to me the authority of the State of Michigan, vested in the MSU Board of Trustees, I confer upon all of you the degree for which you have been recommended with all the rights and distinctions to which they entitle you.

According to customer, you may now move your tassels from the right side of your caps to the left.

And congratulations Spartan doctors, and now MSU alumni.

Congratulations.

This act represents the conclusion of a great achievement and marks the beginning of a lifetime of dedicated service to the communities where we live and work.

It's an achievement worthy of celebration and we are here today to celebrate this fact with you.

We are grateful to be able to recognize this class with both in-person ceremonies this year, in addition to a virtual celebration, which gives us the opportunity to celebrate the class of 2021 and all they have achieved in these various ways.

We recognize that the past year has been difficult and has presented many challenges, but the will and determination of this class is evident.

Even more so, many have stepped up to help and put to work their unique medical knowledge and qualifications during a time when their communities needed them most.

Something that further demonstrates compassion and commitment to the profession.

Our graduating students have exemplified what it means to be an osteopathic physician and how important the profession is.

Not just in times of crisis, but in everyday life.

Recognize, while we don't know what the future holds, we are confident that this class will help lead the way and make us and the osteopathic profession proud.

We would now like to present each of our graduates from the class of 2021.

Mr. Jody Knol from MSU WKAR Radio will be presenting the graduates today.

- [Jody] Nabiha Adams, D.O.

Vito Matteo Agrusa, D.O.

Jatin Ahluwalia, D.O.

Kinza Ahmed, D.O.

Juliana M. Alessio-Bilowus, D.O.

Donald Allen, D.O.

Andy Ainajjar, D.O.

Braxton Anderson, D.O.

Evan Arbit, D.O.

Andrew Awabdeh, D.O.

Leah Babiarz, D.O.

Rachel Lynn Babiarz, D.O Ramanpreet Bajwa, D.O.

Amanda Kaye Baker, D.O.

Eric Ballard, D.O.

Brooke L. Bannon, D.O.

Pannya Bansal, D.O.

Lekha Bapu, D.O.

Yasmeen Basal, D.O.

Jasdeep Singh Bathla, D.O.

Hassan Bazzy, D.O.

Yusef Allie Bazzy, D.O., MBA.

Joshua C. Beal, D.O.

Eleisha T. Bell, D.O.

Jacob S. Best, D.O.

John Bills, D.O.

Daniel Bjeijeh, D.O.

Tristan Blanchette, D.O.

Lucy Rose Bolerjack, D.O.

Erica L. Bolz, D.O.

Alphonso Bond, D.O.

Brittany M. Borto, D.O.

Justin Lee Bouma, D.O.

Bohdan L. Boytsov, D.O.

Ryan Brandt, D.O.

Thomas M. Brennan, D.O.

Lexi Brown, D.O.

Jessica Brownstein, D.O.

Melissa Patricia C. Bucheli, D.O.

Steven Douglas Buchowski, D.O.

Lauren Rehe Burmann, D.O.

Evan Bylett, D.O.

Samantha Capatina, D.O.

Christine K. Carline, D.O.

Megan Carrillo, D.O.

Abigail Carroll, D.O.

Marian-Alexandria Catalan, D.O.

Brook 0.

Centofanti, D.O.

Christopher Cenzer, D.O.

Matthew Charlick, D.O.

Aubrey Chartier, D.O.

Surya Chennupati, D.O.

Jeffrey Allen Chiambretti, D.O.

James G. Chirackal, D.O.

Neil Chitnis, D.O.

Lauren Chorny, D.O.

Call Coddington, D.O.

Matthew Commet, D.O.

John Wesley Constantakis, D.O.

Tristan Cooper-Roth, D.O.

Devyn T. Cope, D.O.

Kelsey A. Crowell, D.O.

Erin E. Cuddeback, D.O.

Captain Michael D. Czarnecki, U.S. Army, D.O.

Walter Czop, D.O.

Leana Danesh, D.O.

Brandon Darling, D.O.

Ethan Dawson-Baglien, D.O.

Jessica DePetro, D.O.

Nathan Dills, D.O.

Captain Kelsy M. Dimeff, U.S. Air Force, D.O.

Dayna Dines, D.O.

Captain Crystal G. Donders, U.S. Army, D.O.

Lauren Mari Donley, D.O.

Brandon Duprey, D.O.

Rina Edelson, D.O.

Robert Edwards, D.O.

Eli Benchell Eisman, D.O., Ph.D. Rami El-Baba, D.O.

Nadine Elhage, D.O.

Trevor R. Evans, D.O.

Marisa Fallone, D.O.

Usama Faraj, D.O.

Jennifer Fiasky, D.O.

Alex Flor-Henry, D.O.

Mackenzie Fountain, D.O.

Jeremiah Fowler, D.O.

Morgan Fox, D.O.

Lauren Elizabeth Friebe, D.O.

Esther Funez Castro, D.O.

Tiffany Garcia, D.O.

Jordan Gates, D.O.

Monica Gentchev, D.O., M.P.H.

Ayóegül Gezer, D.O., Ph.D. Has completed the College of Osteopathic Medicine dual D.O., Ph.D. program.

Ph.D., cell and molecular biology.

Dissertation, sex-specific effects of developmental dieldrin exposure on synucleinopathy.

Advisor, Alison Bernstein, Ph.D., assistant professor, translational neuroscience.

Akbal Gill, D.O.

Kelly Giuliani, D.O.

Ryan G. Golenick, D.O.

Branden M. Goller, D.O.

Rebecca Anne Gerz, D.O.

Hannah Greenberg, D.O.

Samuel Gregerson, D.O.

Nicholas Blake Gregory, D.O.

Salina Halliday, D.O.

Brandon Hana, D.O.

Katie Hanlon, D.O.

Renee Mary Hanna, D.O.

Stacy Hatcher, D.O.

James F. Hebden, D.O.

Eyad Helwany, D.O.

Elizabeth Henley, D.O.

Alexandra M. Heriford, D.O.

Benjamin Heriford, D.O.

Noah B. Hochstetler, D.O.

Captain Ryan M. Hodgeman, U.S. Army, D.O.

Ryan Hook, D.O.

Charles A.

Hunter, D.O.

Angelina lafano, D.O.

Mina Rafed Ibrahim Azzawi, D.O.

Alex Ismail, D.O.

Jaclyn Israel, D.O.

Leah Jackson, D.O.

Nisha Jambulingam, D.O.

Alessandra Jannette, D.O.

Allison Jennens, D.O.

Captain John Jensen, U.S. Army, D.O.

Daniel A. Jiménez, D.O.

Dominique Latrice Johnson, D.O.

Jannet Jones, D.O.

Steven D. Jones, D.O.

Megan Kabara, D.O.

Anita T. Kano, D.O.

Lauren Kassab, D.O.

Michael Maher Kattula, D.O.

Suraj Kaushal, D.O.

Sonal Kaushik, D.O.

Marie E.B.

Kenny, D.O.

Lieutenant Christa E. Kerbow, U.S. Navy, D.O.

Atia Khandaker, D.O.

Angela Khidhir, D.O.

Zachary C. Koch, D.O.

Abhay Kommana, D.O.

Zachary M. Kranz, D.O.

David Kuo, D.O.

Minette C. Lagman, D.O.

Hannah M. R. Laur, D.O.

Kelsey R. Lawrence, D.O.

Matthew W. Lederer, D.O.

Josh Lee, D.O.

Brooke Lenz, D.O.

Nicholas Leventis, D.O.

Noble Lewallen, D.O.

Ryan Li, D.O.

Nicholas J. C. Liquigli, D.O.

Andrew Stephan Loginsky, D.O.

Kassem Makki, D.O.

Maya Maliekal, D.O.

Aarthi Manjunathan, D.O.

Tedd March, D.O.

Allison Matte, D.O.

Matthew Mayeda, D.O.

David McClendon, D.O.

Matthew McClure, D.O.

Cameron McKenney, D.O.

Seema Mehta, D.O.

Alex Meisel, D.O.

Matthew Meranda, D.O.

Jordan Meyer, D.O.

Deanna Ingrassia Miano, D.O.

Cristian Mihaltan, D.O.

Rita Mihaltan, D.O.

Rebecca Mills, D.O.

Katrina Minutello, D.O.

Alejandro Miranda, D.O., M.P.H.

Daniel Kumar Misra, D.O.

Wassim Mohamad-Said, D.O.

Nicholas V. Moore, D.O.

Rebecca M. Moorhouse, D.O.

Harrison Morgan, D.O.

Kristopher Mosier, D.O.

Sravya Motheramgari, D.O.

Hamza Muhammad, D.O.

Tiffany Murphy, D.O.

Dana Nachawati, D.O.

Aakash Naik, D.O.

Allison Nastally, D.O.

Andrew Nathanson, D.O.

Juliano Ndoj, D.O.

Cire A. Nemeth, D.O.

Trevor Nessel, D.O.

Nam Tran Nguyen Lam, D.O.

Ariel Niederhauser, D.O.

Brian Nohomovich, D.O., Ph.D. Has completed the College of Osteopathic Medicine dual D.O., Ph.D. program.

Ph.D., microbiology and molecular genetics.

Dissertation, the microbiome during acute bacterial gastroenteritis and the functional role of intestinal bacteriophages.

Advisor, Shannon Manning, Ph.D., associate professor, microbiology and molecular genetics.

Nina Odish, D.O.

Jerry Oommen, D.O.

Serene Ozeir, D.O.

Bhavana Pabbati, D.O.

Ricki Pad, D.O.

Alexander Parker, D.O.

Austin Parsons, D.O.

Evan Pasternak, D.O.

Parth Patel, D.O.

Ronak H. Patel, D.O.

Ronak R. Patel, D.O.

Kaitlyn Rose Perkins, D.O.

Chanel Perkovic, D.O.

Jennifer Leigh Philburn, D.O.

Reilly Philliben, D.O.

Alex J. Pittman, D.O.

Michelle Plassman, D.O.

Lieutenant Christian Przeslawski, U.S. Navy, D.O.

Emily Ann Ptasnik, D.O.

Swati Putcha, D.O.

Urvi Rana, D.O., MSc.

Chelsea Marie Rawe, D.O.

Captain Maithri P. Reddy, U.S. Army, D.O.

Jessica Reid, D.O.

Captain Corinne Rezentes, U.S. Air Force, D.O.

Adam S. Rhein, D.O.

Lauren Ripley, D.O.

Megan Ross, D.O.

Eden Roth, D.O.

Jasmine I. Rudolph, D.O.

Kazi Russell, D.O.

Zoe H. Russell, D.O.

Khadije Imad Saad, D.O.

Neha Saini, D.O.

Alexander Joseph Samborski, D.O.

Kali Marie Sanford, D.O.

Tayla M. Sarna, D.O.

Brett W. Sassack, D.O.

Luke T. Schichtel, D.O.

Devin Schlossberg, D.O.

Samuel Schotten, D.O.

Colin Seitz, D.O.

Madeline Adele Sesselmann, D.O.

Alyssa Sethi, D.O.

Christopher Shackleford, D.O.

Zaid Shareef, D.O.

Codi A.

Sharp, D.O.

Mackenzie Leigh Shattuck, D.O.

Mitchell Shecter, D.O.

Damansher Sidhu, D.O.

Captain Steven Siemieniak, U.S. Air Force, D.O.

Kent Simmonds, D.O., Ph.D. Has completed the College of Osteopathic Medicine dual D.O., Ph.D. program.

Ph.D., epidemiology.

Dissertation, use of administrative claims data to design and emulate a clinical trial in acute stroke patients comparing rehabilitation at inpatient rehabilitation facilities with skilled nursing facilities.

Advisor, Mat Reeves, BVSc, Ph.D., professor epidemiology.

Brahm Singh, D.O.

Gursimran Singh, D.O.

Varinder Pal Singh, D.O.

Amanda Sion, D.O.

Theresa Sitto, D.O.

Ryan A. Skowronek, D.O.

Lauren Smith, D.O.

Baily Sopjes, D.O.

Adrienne Spring, D.O.

Alexandra Stapleton, D.O.

Amanda Stark, D.O.

Michael Sterner, D.O.

Lianne Strimpel, D.O.

Kyle Sugg, D.O.

Michael Anthony Supanich, D.O.

Ahmad Tahawi, D.O.

Amar Takrani, D.O.

Panteha Tavassol, D.O.

Jared Tippett, D.O.

Amanda Tobin, D.O.

Alexander David Toloff, D.O.

Nicholas Tomasi, D.O.

Quincy Tran, D.O.

Jeffrey Michael Tremblay, D.O.

Ellen Elizabeth Tumbarella, D.O.

Lauren Turner, D.O.

Rachel VanCoillie, D.O.

Megha Vashi, D.O.

Amber Rose Vocelle, D.O., Ph.D. Has completed the College of Osteopathic Medicine dual D.O., Ph.D. program.

Ph.D., physiology.

Dissertation, using biomechanics to understand the effects of aging and exercise on osteoarthritic and healthy hands.

Advisor, Tamara Reid Bush, Ph.D., professor, mechanical engineering.

Hayley Wallace, D.O.

Anna Ward, D.O.

Nikolas Ward, D.O.

Harrison Wermuth, D.O.

John Westfall, D.O.

Mitchell Westrick, D.O.

C Kenyatta Whittington, D.O.

Michael Wilcox, D.O.

Julie K. Wolf, D.O.

Alyssa Wood, D.O.

Tristan Worthington, D.O.

Charlie Wu, D.O.

Dillon Anthony Yaldo, D.O.

Wei-Jen C. Yankelevich, D.O., Ph.D. Sarah Yates, D.O.

Ersida Zerdelija, D.O.

Bo Ren Zhang, D.O.

And Zachary Zurla, D.O.

- Ladies and gentlemen, the class of 2021.

The vice presidents of the class, Megan Marie Carrillo, D.O., Captain Ryan M. Hodgeman, D.O, and Kyle A. Sugg, D.O., will now administer the osteopathic pledge to their peers.

The osteopathic pledge was administered to these three before the commencement ceremony.

- Class of 2021, please follow along with your Eboard, as we recite the osteopathic pledge.

- As members of the osteopathic medical profession, in an effort to instill loyalty and strengthen the profession, we recall the tenets on which this profession is founded.

- The dynamic interaction of mind, body, and spirit.

The body's ability to heal itself.

The primary role of the musculoskeletal system and preventative medicine, as the key to maintain health.

- We recognize the work our predecessors have accomplished in building this profession.

And we commit ourselves to continuing that work.

I pledge to provide compassionate quality care to my patients, partner with them to promote health.

- Display integrity and professionalism throughout my career, advance the philosophy, practice and science of osteopathic medicine, continue lifelong learning.

Support my profession with loyalty in action, word and deed, and live each day as an example of what an osteopathic physician should be.

- We will now present the award recipients from last week's class of 2021 award ceremony.

(instrumental music) - Congratulations to all of our award recipients.

Doctors, please at this time, think about and send along your appreciation to the college and staff, not only for their months of preparation for this year's multiple graduation ceremonies, but also as well for their years of dedication to the class of 2021.

I also ask that you acknowledge the tremendous faculty members in our college who have also imparted upon you all they know to make you the great physicians, we all know you will become.

I always ask at this time that we contemplate and acknowledge the pledge that we have just made and how important those words truly are.

Clearly if a single physician chooses not to uphold the tenets of our pledge, real harm can result both to the individual, as well, the profession as a whole.

So please keep this pledge front of mind.

I'm also here to confidently proclaim that our profession and this college are thriving.

We continue to have record numbers of applicants to our college.

In fact, look around you, this year, there were more than 8,000 applicants asking our college for the privilege to be where you are now.

Think about that.

And congratulations.

Why is it that so many wish to be in your shoes right now?

Well, we as a college became recognized as a national leader choosing to educate our medical students in the holistic osteopathic approach to promoting optimal health, to those who seek us out in mind, body and spirit.

As part of this, I am even more confident that MSUCOM is a place where the science of medicine has not forgotten the art of medicine.

What is the art of medicine?

Well, I think Dr. Nichols clearly spoke to what is the art of medicine.

It's a result of your education here at MSUCOM and all the osteopathic colleges across the nation.

Our college has taught you how to integrate compassionate care and understanding with the cumulative knowledge and practices gathered from the experiences and teachings of all of our MSUCOM faculty.

As a result, you are now poised to become world-class physicians.

For example, you now have the knowledge to understand health and disease at the molecular, in fact, atomic level, as well, how that impacts the mind, body, and spirit of those who come to you for their healthcare.

You can now begin to provide guidance to preserve best health, but if necessary diagnose incredibly complex diseases by merely asking a few questions, utilizing your physical exam skills, and if necessary, request lab tests, or use imaging technologies to confirm what you already know to be true.

And confidently share your knowledge with the individuals, families, and communities you will now engage with, but now as a physician.

Our profession, and yes, our society demands that medical treatment follow this holistic approach.

Though some may claim to offer a holistic approach to care, we as graduates of MSUCOM and as osteopathic physicians have been united in an unwavering commitment to pursuing health for the whole person.

This is not a passing fad as confirmed by the explosive growth of the osteopathic profession over the past 130 years, and by the presence of MSUCOM for more than 50 years now.

I also ask you not to forget what your medical school has provided to you as you proceed into your careers and enter your residency programs.

In fact, I'm telling you, you need to stay in touch with your medical school from this day onward.

Why?

You will learn as I have, and as countless alumni before you have learned that most everything you accomplish professionally going forward, the good deeds, the significant impact, the gratitude you receive, that these accomplishments will all be due to the efforts this college has made to educate you these past years.

There can be no denying this fact.

Given that we need your help, you should not forget us, and you need to find ways to keep in contact with us and help us as we together, you and I, and the rest of the faculty come together as colleagues and plan to train the next 50 years of world-class physicians and provide those future physicians every increased levels of expertise and experiences.

Similar to the efforts we undertook on your behalf during your education here at MSUCOM.

With those thoughts, I offer you my sincere congratulations, and I wish you all good luck.

And Go Green.

(instrumental music) ♪ MSU, we love thy shadows ♪ ♪ When twilight silence falls ♪ ♪ Flushing deep and softly paling ♪ ♪ O'er ivy covered halls ♪ ♪ Beneath the pines we'll gather ♪ ♪ To give our faith so true ♪ ♪ Sing our love for Alma Mater ♪ ♪ And thy praises, MSU ♪ ♪ When from these scenes we wander ♪ ♪ And twilight shadows fade ♪ ♪ Our mem'ry still will linger ♪ ♪ Where light and shadows played ♪ ♪ In the evening oft we'll gather ♪ ♪ To pledge our faith anew ♪ ♪ Sing our love for Alma Mater ♪ ♪ And thy praises, MSU ♪ (instrumental music) ♪ Go right through for MSU ♪ ♪ Watch the points keep growing ♪ ♪ Spartan teams are bound to win ♪ ♪ They're fighting with a vim ♪ ♪ Rah rah rah ♪ ♪ See their team is weakening ♪ ♪ We're going to win this game ♪ ♪ Fight fight ♪ ♪ Rah, team, fight ♪ ♪ Victory for MSU ♪ (instrumental music)