2021 PCOM Georgia Graduate Programs Commencement program

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine welcomes you to the Commencement Ceremony of PCOM Georgia honoring the Classes of 2021

Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Master of Science in Health Sciences Physician Assistant Studies Tuesday, July 27, 2021

The Star-Spangled Banner Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there.

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Francis Scott Key September 1814

Program Faculty Marshals .....................................................................................James Garrett, MPAS, PA-C Francis E. Jenney, PhD *Invocation Chief Campus Officer, PCOM Georgia ..................................................................R. Bryan Ginn, Jr. *The Star-Spangled Banner ...................................................................................PCOM Pulmonics Introduction Dean, Health Sciences ...................................................................................Gregory McDonald, DO Welcome President and Chief Executive Officer ..................................................................Jay S. Feldstein, DO Remarks Chairman, Board of Trustees .......................................................................................John P. Kearney Director, MS Program in Biomedical Sciences ....................................................Lori Redmond, PhD Chairperson and Program Director, Physician Assistant Program, PCOM ...........................................................Laura Levy, DHSc, PA-C Presentation of Candidate for Honorary Degree...........................................................Dr. Feldstein Conferring of the Degree ................................................................................................Mr. Kearney DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS, HONORIS CAUSA John Fleischmann, EdD, MBA, MPA Founding PCOM Georgia Chief Executive Officer Address ......................................................................................................................Dr. Fleischmann Presentation of Candidates for Degrees in Course ..................................................................................................Dr. McDonald Conferring of the Degrees ..............................................................................................Dr. Feldstein Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Hooding of Graduates ..................................................................................................Dr. Redmond Presentation of Candidates for Degrees in Course ..................................................................................................Dr. McDonald Conferring of the Degrees ..............................................................................................Dr. Feldstein Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant Studies Hooding of Graduates .....................................................................................................Dr. Thomas Closing Remarks Dean, Health Sciences...................................................................................................Dr. McDonald *Recessional *Audience please rise

PCOM Georgia Overview Established in 2005, PCOM Georgia is a private, not-for-profit, accredited institute of higher education dedicated to the healthcare professions. e Suwanee, Georgia, campus is affiliated with Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, a premier osteopathic medical school with a storied history.

PCOM Georgia offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy and graduate degrees in biomedical sciences and physician assistant studies. Emphasizing “a whole person approach to care,” the Suwanee campus focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the wider community.

PCOM extended its commitment to the Southeast in 2019 by establishing PCOM South Georgia, an additional teaching location in Moultrie, Georgia, which offers a full four-year medical program leading to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree and a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences. e College is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which has recognized PCOM Georgia as a branch campus since 2004. e campus is authorized by the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission as a branch campus of PCOM. e Middle States Commission on Higher Education accredits the College, its branch campus, and its additional location.

In addition, PCOM Georgia’s programs hold specialized accreditations through the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, and the Commission on Accreditation in Physical erapy Education.

Commencement Speaker JOHN FLEISCHMANN, EdD, MBA, MHP With a demonstrated commitment to quality performance and leadership in education, John Fleischmann, MGA, MBA, EdD, had a 30-year career which included extensive experience working with university administrators, faculty, staff and students, as well as state and local governments, federal agencies, and the State of Georgia Board of Regents.

He served as the founding chief executive officer for PCOM Georgia from its inception in 2004 to 2012. In this position, he was instrumental in establishing institutional relationships, assessing new professional program feasibility, and establishing new program training opportunities.

Prior to his position at PCOM Georgia, Dr. Fleischmann served as a college administrative officer at the Georgia State University College of Education from 1999 to 2004. He also worked as a system-wide director of personnel management for the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia from 1986 to 1999. In addition, he held several positions in human resources, finance, operations, student services and teaching at Georgia State University from 1970 to 1976.

After serving from 1967 to 1999, Dr. Fleischman retired from the US Army with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Adjutant General Corps. He served as the senior human resource management officer and the senior finance officer.

Dr. Fleischmann earned an EdD in Higher Education Administration in 1990 from the University of Georgia in Athens. His dissertation was entitled “Demographics of Feeder Counties as Predictors of Black Faculty within Public Higher Education in Georgia.

He earned an MBA in 1979 from Georgia State University, Atlanta, and an MGA in Public Administration from Georgia State University in 1975, where he also earned his undergraduate degree.

Dr. Fleischmann has been a member of a wide variety of organizations including the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Osteopathic Medical Association, the Georgia Pharmacy Association, the Association of University Administrators, the American Association of University Professors, and the USA Reserve Officers Association.

He is a member of the Northeast Georgia Council Boy Scouts of America Eagle Club, the Rotary Club of Gwinnett, and the Statewide AHEC Steering Committee. A Braselton resident, he is married and has two daughters.

Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Master of Science in Health Sciences Physician Assistant Studies

Awards

Awards

W

e congratulate all of our award recipients for their distinguished academic performance and service to the College and community.

2021 MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

DEAN’S AWARD IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES Awarded to a member of the graduating class who attained the highest scholastic average.

Samah Rabeya Khan

DEAN’S AWARD IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES MEDICAL SIMULATION CONCENTRATION Awarded to the student with academic excellence and potential for contributions to the field of study and profession.

Langston Marshall Scott

BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES LEADERSHIP AWARD This award recognizes the student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership. The student was nominated by peers for general leadership characteristics, high academic achievement, and the ability to effectively represent the class in College and community affairs.

Jessica Musette Myara

THE FACULTY AWARD IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES THESIS TRACK Awarded to the graduate in the thesis track who is recognized by the faculty for outstanding academic achievement and who represents the highest ideals of the graduate program.

Hunter Alberto Vasquez

Awards THE FACULTY AWARD IN BIOMEDICAl SCIENCES NON-THESIS TRACK Awarded to the graduate in the non-thesis track who is recognized by the faculty for outstanding academic achievement and who represents the highest ideals of the graduate program.

Jessica Musette Myara

THE FACULTY AWARD IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONCENTRATION Awarded to the graduate in the Organizational Leadership track who is recognized by the faculty for outstanding academic achievement and who represents the highest ideals of the graduate program.

Korticia Nichole Howard

PRESIDENT’S LEADERSHIP AND DIVERSITY AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has made a unique contribution to create an environment of shared responsibility and ownership for diversity and inclusion at PCOM, as well as demonstrating emerging and sustained commitment thereto.

Jeisson David Garcia

Awards MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HEALTH SCIENCES PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES PROVOST AWARD e Provost’s Award recognizes academic excellence and potential for contributions to the field of study and profession.

Kaitlyn Ann Gresko

FACULTY RECOGNITION AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CLINICAL ACHIEVEMENT is award is presented to a student who, while on rotations, consistently showed eagerness to learn clinical medicine while maintaining respect for patients, preceptors, fellow healthcare workers and other students.

Kelley Noel Davis

FACULTY RECOGNITION FOR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AWARD This award is presented in recognition of outstanding leadership contributions to the community, the College, and to colleagues in the Physician Assistant Program.

Victoria Martell

SARA SOMERS RUPERT HUMANITARIAN AWARD This award is presented to a senior physician assistant student who has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to those in need. The recipient exemplifies the philosophy of health care service and compassion above self.

Judi Fusco

Degrees in Course July 27, 2021

Degrees in Course MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES Akosa Charles Akpom

Korticia Nichole Howard

Shereen Minza Mohammed

Erin Rachael Anderson

Ashley Nicole Ilderton

Danielle Denise Morian

Ciara Onecia Ann Burgess

Morgan J. Ilgenfritz

Brandi Nichelle Muldrow

Isaac Cenescar

Daryl Bashon Jackson Jr.

Jessica Musette Myara

Madison Gail Cohen

Jade Alexandria Johnson

Jeremy-Anson DongDuyHien Nguyen

Vikas Damineni

Gloria Joseph

Hope Vbenaye Osemwengie

Monique Tania Daniels

Yuhyun Kang

Michelle Lynn Peppers

Ni'Asia Keonna Douglas

Matthew P. Kayal

Tuan anh Pham

Evan Griffin Folsom

Samah Rabeya Khan

Yenamala Ushasri Reddy

Taylor Ramon Ford

Laurie'l Je'Mera Latimer

Langston Marshall Scott

Lauren Beth Gaddis

Samuel Gerhardt Latzsch

Randall Morris Sheffield

Jeisson David Garcia

Latiffa L. Liburd

Allison Hope Smith

Bhavika Goyal

Jaclyn Locigno

Barkley Di'ann Lynn Smith

Courtney Michelle Green

Nayo Euphemia Macauley

Britney Nicole Stewart

Alec omas Hash

Rula Masoud

Hunter Alberto Vasquez

Alexis Christina Henderson

Madiha Fatima Master

Bethany Marie Watson

Keyana Shanae Matthews

Degrees in Course MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HEALTH SCIENCES PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES Courtney Michaela Avra

Judi Lynn Fusco

Lauren Kristine Miller

Keelia Benner

Kelsie Shea Godward

Vy y Ngo

Rachel Bennett

Kaitlyn Ann Gresko

John Hugh Price III

Rachael Leah Brooks

Kassie Anne Howard

John Michael Rutledge

Elisabeth Grace Cawley

Madison Paige Joiner

Dane Patrick Shell

Taelor Kimberly Cichanski

Sonia Lal

Holly Rose Sperry

Ngoc Tram Vu Dang

Jessica Irene LaRosa

Abbey Morgan Stewart

Kelley Noel Davis

Kyle Matthew Mace

Jessica Lynn Vaverka

Abegail Tate Dismukes

Victoria Pinchera Martell

Savannah Carole Willbanks

Allison Camille McCharen

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Boards of Trustees Administration Alumni Association

Boards of Trustees Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Foundation and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine – Officers Chairman of the Board

John P. Kearney

Vice Chairman

Thomas J. Gravina

President and Chief Executive Officer

Jay S. Feldstein, DO ’81

Provost, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean

Kenneth J. Veit, DO ’76, MBA

Vice President for Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Peter Doulis, CPA

Chief Legal Affairs Officer and Assistant Secretary

David F. Simon, JD

Chief Advancement and Strategic Planning Officer

Carrie Collins, JD, PhD

Chief Diversity and Community Relations Officer

Marcine Pickron-Davis, PhD

Chief Campus Officer – PCOM Georgia

R. Bryan Ginn, Jr.***

Executive Assistant to the President and Secretary

Lynn A. Kush

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Foundation and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine James H. Black, DO ’62, LLD (Hon.) John B. Bulger, DO ’95, MBA Timothy P. Burgess, MPA Joseph A. Dieterle, DO ’70 elma Dye-Holmes, PhD Matthew O. Elkes Jay S. Feldstein, DO ’81 Julie R. Fox, MBA Marla Golden, DO * omas J. Gravina

*Faculty Representative **Alumni Representative ***These individuals are Members of the PCOM Board only

Jerel A. Hopkins John P. Kearney Vincent Lobo, DO ’65 R. David McCleskey A. Scott McNeal, DO ’88 Dana C. Shaffer, DO ’85 ** Wayne T. Sikes Virginia A. Stallings, MD Kenneth J. Veit, DO ’76, MBA

Administration Jay S. Feldstein, DO President and Chief Executive Officer Kenneth J. Veit, DO, MBA Provost, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean Peter Doulis, CPA Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer David Simon, JD Chief Legal Affairs Officer R. Bryan Ginn, Jr. Chief Campus Officer, PCOM Georgia

Michael Becker, DO, MS Associate Dean of Clinical Education PCOM Bonnie A. Buxton, PhD Associate Dean, Cross Campus Coordination and Professional Development Kerin Fresa, PhD Associate Dean, COMLEX Readiness and Quality Assurance Naushad M. Khan Ghilzai, PhD, BPharm Associate Dean for Academic Affairs School of Pharmacy, PCOM Georgia

Carrie Collins, PhD, JD Chief Advancement Officer

Marla Golden, DO Associate Dean of Clinical Education PCOM Georgia, PCOM South Georgia

Marcine Pickron-Davis, PhD Chief Diversity and Community Relations Officer

David Kuo, DO Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education and Director of Medical Education

Robert DiTomasso, PhD, ABPP Dean, School of Professional and Applied Psychology

Nikita Mirajkar, PhD, BVSc, AH Associate Dean, Curricular Execution

Gregory McDonald, DO Dean, School of Health Sciences

Michael Lee, PhD Assistant Dean, Professional and Student Affairs, School of Pharmacy, PCOM Georgia

Shawn Spencer, PharmD Dean and Chief Academic Officer, School of Pharmacy, PCOM Georgia

Julie Wickman, PharmD Assistant Dean, Clinical Education, School of Pharmacy, PCOM Georgia

Linda R. Adkison, PhD, MS Associate Provost, Accreditation, Growth and Development

Brian Balin, PhD Chair, Department of Bio-Medical Sciences PCOM

Andrea Mann, DO, FAAP Dean and Chief Academic Officer, Osteopathic Medical Program, PCOM Georgia

Elizabeth A. Gosch, PhD, ABPP Chair, Department of Counseling, PCOM

H. William Craver III, DO Dean and Chief Academic Officer, Osteopathic Medical Program, PCOM South Georgia

Jessica Glass Kendorski, PhD, NCSP, BCBA-D Chair, Department School Psychology, PCOM Laura Levy, DHSc, PA-C Chair, Physician Assistant Studies PCOM and PCOM Georgia

Joseph Kaczmarczyk, DO, MPH, MBA Vice Dean, School of Medicine, PCOM

Avadhesh C. Sharma, PharmD, PhD Chair, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, PCOM Georgia

Arthur Sesso, DO Senior Associate Dean of Osteopathic Curricular Innovation and Oversight and Chair, Surgery

John Tovar, PharmD Chair, Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, PCOM Georgia

Administration (continued) Richard White, PhD, FAHA Chair & Professor Osteopathic Curriculum, PCOM Georgia Patience Mason, MEd Chief Student Affairs Officer Samuel A. Matheny, MEd, MA Chief Student Services Officer, Offices of Financial Aid and Registrar Jane Z. Dumsha, PhD Chief Research Operations Officer

Mindy George-Weinstein, PhD Chief Research and Science Officer Erik Langenau, DO, MS Chief Academic Technologies Officer Brian Mann, MA, PA-C Chief Simulation Operations Officer Persko J. Grier Interim Chief Library Services Officer Maureen O’Mara Carver Registrar

The PCOM Alumni Association 2021 Council Members

Executive Council

Professional Careers Council

William Swallow, D.O. ’79, President

Prerakkumar Adhuria, Pharm.D. ‘17

Paul LaPoint, D.O. ’90, President-Elect

Jennifer Alvarado, M.S./F.M. ’08

Amanda Murphy, M.S./P.A. ’02, Secretary

Christopher Brown, M.S./C.C.H.P. ’11

Shanda Lucas, M.S./O.D.L. ’09, Awards

Madeleine Brown, M.S./Biomed ’18

Committee Chair Jennifer Dwyer, D.O. ’08, Nominating Committee Chair Melissa Schwartz, D.O. ’91, Past President

Krystal Carter, M.S./C.C.H.P. ’10 Ashara Cashaw, Psy.D. ’13 Rashim Lancit, Ed.S. ’13 Ruark Lanham, M.S./O.D.L. ’07 David Poponi, Psy.D. ’09 Preston Williams, M.S./P.A. ’07

D.O. Council

Trainee Council

Michael Becker, D.O. ’87

Elisa Giusto, D.O. ‘18

James Bonner, D.O. ’86

Anthony Sciuva, (D.O. ‘24), Student Representative

Dipan Desai, D.O. ’02 Gretta Gross, D.O. ’97 Ricky Lockett, D.O. ’84 Jessica Masser, D.O. ’07 Joseph Nyzio, Jr., D.O. ’00

PCOM South Georgia Scott Rosen, (D.O. ’24), Student Representative PCOM Colin Roozbehi, (D.O. ’24), Student Representative PCOM Georgia

William Pesce, D.O. ’89 Elsira Pina, D.O. ’89 Howard Robinson, D.O. ’90

Alumni Association Board Representative to PCOM Board of Trustees Dana C. Shaffer, D.O. ’85 PCOM President & CEO Jay S. Feldstein, D.O. ’81 Deputy Chief Advancement Officer Necie Steward, M.S./O.D.L. ‘20

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

The Mace and Baton The College Seal The Academic Costume

The Mace and Baton Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Georgia Campus academic processions are led by the bearer of the College mace, who precedes or accompanies the president of the College.

The bearers of the mace and baton serve as marshals of faculty.

The medieval mace was first a protective device for the clergy, who were not allowed to carry swords. Later, the mace became ceremonial and is carried today in the Houses of Parliament in England and also in the United States House of Representatives where, when in position to the right of the Speaker of the House, it is a symbol of his or her authority.

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine’s original mace and baton were designed by Paul T. Lloyd, DO ’23, and created by William F. J. Ryan of New York, a member of the International Academy of Heraldry. The mace and baton were presented to the College by the Alumni Association in 1972. Faculty marshals in all academic processions since that time have carried them.

The mace and baton were replicated for PCOM Georgia by Henry Hopkins, III, a silversmith of Baltimore, Maryland. They were formally presented to President Matthew Schure on May 14, 2009, by Paul Evans, DO ’79; H. William Craver, III, DO ’87; Gary H. Watson, PhD; and the Alumni Association of PCOM, whose generous contributions made the replication of the mace and baton possible.

A sphere with a golden crown tops the mahogany staff heralding sovereign authority of the College to grant academic degrees by virtue of the powers given it by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Engraved on the sphere is the caduceus, the symbol of medicine. The caduceus represents the staff of Aescsulapius, the Latin name for Askelepios, the Greek god of medicine, son of Apollo and the nymph Coronis. A snake is entwined on the staff ’s branch because the serpent was held sacred to the gods and was an early symbol of medicine.

Three coats of arms appear on the upper of the two hexagonal modes: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (directly beneath the caduceus), the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the City of Philadelphia (the locale of the College since its founding in 1899). PCOM’s coat of arms is engraved on the top of the marshal’s baton, a symbol of authority in keeping with the title and office held by the marshal.

The metallic elements of the mace, to wit the hexagonal modes and the globe, are bronze-based with heavily plated rhodium. The coronet is gold-plated and the staff is South American mahogany.

The College Seal

The College seal first appeared in 1925 embossed on the cover of The Synapsis, the College’s first yearbook. Volume One of The Synapsis was published by the junior class of Philadelphia College of Osteopathy in honor of the graduating class of 1925. The first seal incorporated the College motto mens et manus, “mind and hand.” The seal’s origin is unknown, as is its designer.

In 1938, Edgar O. Holden, DO ’22, dean of the College from 1924 to 1943, and Russell C. Erb, PhD, associate dean from 1937 to 1943, proposed and designed a coat of arms. The coat of arms appeared for the first time in the 1938 alumni magazine and featured a heraldic design that applies to the osteopathic profession. The three triangles are symbolic of the three segments of the vertebral column, which has a significant part in the science of osteopathic medicine. The hand emerges from a noble crown indicative of the regal aspect and dignity, as well as the healing powers of the human hand when applied to the art and science of osteopathic medicine. The College motto was retained and the coat of arms was utilized as the College seal in various motifs through the mid-1980s.

An adaptation of the first College seal was re-introduced in 1986. Today’s College seal, similar to the original, was adopted following the College’s Centennial Celebration in 1999.

The seal features a centrally placed shield within which are shown a scroll and a flaming torch of knowledge. Immediately above is the College motto, reflecting the College’s osteopathic origin.

Uppermost and arranged in a radial pattern are streaks of solar brilliance. Separated from either side of the shield are branches of laurel joined and bound together at the center, close to the base of the shield. These components exemplify teaching, learning and the attainment of knowledge leading to successful careers in the healthcare professions. The name of the College and the year of its founding encircle the seal.

The Academic Costume The history of academic costume originated in medieval times and stems from the early days of the oldest universities. It is thought that long gowns were first worn for warmth in the cold lecture halls. And hoods may have covered the tonsured head (shorn crown) of priests and monks who made up the faculty. One university insisted on the tonsure for scholars. The hoods were replaced by the skull cap, which in turn was displaced by a headgear somewhat like that worn today.

The faculty and students of European universities still wear a diversity of academic regalia.

However, in 1893, a United States intercollegiate commission dictated a uniform code that has been accepted by most American colleges and universities.

The commission devised three types of gowns and three types of hoods for the bachelor’s, the master’s and the doctorate degrees. All gowns are black except for the associate in arts degree, which is gray.

The bachelor’s gown features pointed sleeves and is worn closed; the master’s gown has an oblong sleeve and may be worn open or closed. The gown for the doctorate degree has bellshaped sleeves slashed with three velvet bars. The front of the gown is faced with velvet and is worn either open or closed.

The colorful hoods are lined with silk in the color or colors of the institution granting the degree (PCOM’s colors are maroon and gray). In addition, the hood is trimmed with velvet facing representing the academic discipline in which the degree has been granted: white for arts; letters or humanities; golden-yellow for science; purple for law; lemon-yellow for library science; sapphire-blue for commerce or business; light blue for education; brown for fine arts, dark blue for philosophy; green for medicine–the color of life and growth (Fellows of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons wear hoods trimmed with crimson). The length of the hood varies according to the degree: short for the associate and bachelor’s degree, medium for the master’s and long for the doctorate.

Mortarboards are generally recommended for caps, although soft, square-topped caps are permissible. Tassels may be black or gold and are usually gold for the doctorate degree. While there is no rule for the position of the tassel, many colleges and universities (including PCOM) request the candidates to wear the tassel on the right side and to shift it to the left at the moment the degree is awarded.