medical career journey New graduate, Jessica Engle, D.O., spent one year in LECOM’s Post-Baccalaureate program before devoting four years to medical school training. “I am so excited and so proud,” she declared. “I am going to be the first doctor in my family and it is a momentous day for all of them,” she said pronouncing it to be “one of the happiest days of my life!” Dr. Engle is among many LECOM graduates who will be the first physicians in their families. Each year, Dr. Silvia Ferretti asks the graduating class if they are to be the first generation of physicians in their family and each year she is met with a sea of out-stretched hands raised in proud acknowledgement. Christine Haverkos, Pharm.D., a new graduate, reflected upon LECOM Erie’s accelerated three-year pharmacy program. “It has been three years of hard work,” she announced. “I couldn’t have made it without the friends that I met here and without my family support; I’m very proud; I’m proud that my friends made it, and proud of myself.” LECOM Bradenton held its fourth commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 5 at the Manatee County Convention and Civic Center in Palmetto, Florida. The Bradenton campus also graduated its first class of new pharmacists. The college awarded professional degrees to 145 medical students and to 77 pharmacy students. LECOM President, John M. Ferretti , D.O. made a special presentation of the President’s Distinguished Citizen Award to Wayne Krueger, Ph.D., who retired this year as Assistant Dean of Preclinical Education. Dr. Krueger had taught anatomy for more than 40 years at medical colleges in North Carolina, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Florida. This year’s commencement ceremony held exceptional meaning for the inaugural graduating class from the School of Pharmacy. “This class has a special bond and our classmates became like family for many of us during pharmacy school,” said Alvana Nicaj, Pharm.D. Erika Olson, Pharm. D., did not have to travel far from her family in Bradenton to attend pharmacy school and to meet new colleagues. She is a graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School located only one block away from LECOM. “This was a great opportunity for me,” she affirmed, “since I watched the college grow near my home and I realized that this would be a great place to learn the skills I need to begin my new career.” Hershey S. Bell, M.D., M.S., LECOM Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the School of Pharmacy, led the Oath of the Pharmacist, which calls upon the new Doctors of Pharmacy to apply
the knowledge that they have gained for the welfare of humanity, the relief of suffering, and to assure optimal outcomes for their patients. “On behalf of our superb faculty and staff, it is a great honor to graduate our first class of Doctors of Pharmacy in Bradenton,” said Dr. Bell. “These future leaders will impact their communities by providing high quality patient-centered care and by furthering the LECOM mission of providing care in the spirit of the osteopathic philosophy that serves as the foundation for all of LECOM’s activities.” LECOM stands proudly with the 2011 graduating class as they carry forth the purpose of their calling into the next generation of medicine. This new beginning for the Class of 2011 will be sustained by an optimism that leads to achievement, a faith that looks through challenges, and a strength that finds opportunity in every difficulty. LECOM physicians and pharmacists need not fear the challenges of the wind as they set their sails for a bright future in medicine.
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