PCOM Georgia Graduate Program 2020 Commencement program

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine welcomes you to the Commencement Ceremony of PCOM Georgia honoring the Classes of 2020

Doctorate in Pharmacy Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Master of Science in Health Sciences Physician Assistant Studies July 29, 2020

Program Invocation and Introduction .......................................................................... Kenneth Veit, DO Provost, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs The Star-Spangled Banner ..................................................................Taylor Bailey, PharmD ’20

Greetings ...................................................................................................... Jay S. Feldstein, DO President and Chief Executive Officer

Board of Trustees Remarks ................................................................................. John P. Kearney Chairman, Board of Trustees

School of Pharmacy Remarks ..................................................................... Shawn Spencer, PhD Dean and Chief Academic Officer, School of Pharmacy Presentation of Candidates for Degrees in Course Doctorate of Pharmacy Conferring of the Degrees ........................................................................................Dr. Feldstein

School of Health Sciences Remarks ..................................................... Gregory McDonald, DO Dean, School of Health Sciences Presentation of Candidates for Degrees in Course Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Master of Science in Health Sciences Physician Assistant Studies Conferring of the Degrees ........................................................................................Dr. Feldstein

Oath of a Pharmacist................................................................................................. Dr. Spencer School of Pharmacy Student Address ........................................... Obinna Ekechukwu, PharmD

School of Health Sciences Student Address ...................................................Skyler Tuholski, PA

Closing Remarks ............................................................................................................. Dr. Veit

Georgia Campus 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, which has a storied history as a premier osteopathic medical school.

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,” PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the wider community.

PCOM extended its commitment to the Southeast 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. In addition, a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences will be offered beginning in August 2020. e College is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which granted recognition in 2004 to PCOM Georgia as an approved branch campus. PCOM Georgia is authorized by the Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission of Georgia as a branch campus of PCOM. e College, its branch campus and its additional location are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. PCOM Georgia’s programs hold specialized accreditations through the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

Doctorate of Pharmacy 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.

2020 DOCTORATe Of PHARMACY

DeAN’S CITIZeNSHIP AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated exemplary service and engagement as a citizen of PCOM. James McGary III

MOST IMPROveD AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated the most improved academic performance.

Lindsay Teresa Hall

MYLAN PHARMACeuTICALS exCeLLeNCe IN PHARMACY AWARD Awarded to the graduating student who has demonstrated high professional motivation, academic excellence and the intent to enter practice upon graduation.

Brandon Khoa Dang

PROfeSSIONALISM AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated the most professional conduct or professional contributions to the profession. vy i Khanh Pham

Awards PHARMACeuTICAL SCIeNCeS ReSeARCH AWARD Awarded to the graduate who is recognized for excellence in research in the area of pharmaceutical sciences.

Jonathan Park Anuj Anun Patel

PHARMACY PRACTICe ReSeARCH AWARD Awarded to the graduate who is recognized for excellence in research in the area of pharmacy practice.

Mathew C. Tran

APPe STuDeNT Of THe YeAR Awarded to the graduate who is recognized by preceptors and faculty for demonstrating excellence during advanced pharmacy practice experiences.

Lucy Moua Yang

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 thereon.

Janine Ariel Miller

MeRCK ACADeMIC exCeLLeNCe AWARD Awarded to two students who have displayed superior scholastic and professional achievement, desirable qualities of professional leadership and ethical conduct.

Arrington Dierre Mason-Callaway Janine Ariel Miller

Awards COMMuNITY SeRvICe AWARD Awarded to the graduate who has demonstrated exemplary engagement, time engagement, time donations and service to the broader external community, locally or nationally.

Samantha Marie Sabada

LeADeRSHIP AWARD Awarded to the graduate who has exemplified leadership qualities within PCOM and the profession.

Mathew C. Tran

PCOM GeORGIA PHARMACY STuDeNT AWARD î “is award recognizes the graduate who has attained the highest scholastic average.

Colten Ryan

JOHN C. KeRMODe AWARD Awarded to the student who best demonstrates genuine sincerity, compassion, positive attitude and willingness to help and motivate others.

Obinna Curtis ekechukwu

Awards MASTeR Of SCIeNCe IN BIOMeDICAL SCIeNCeS 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 thereon.

Anne Kathryne Aballe Belocura BIOMeDICAL SCIeNCeS LeADeRSHIP AWARD This award recognizes the student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership. The awardee was nominated by peers for general leadership characteristics, high academic achievement, and the ability to effectively represent the class in College and community affairs.

Danielle 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.

Michael Tucker 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.

Philip A. Wang 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.

Devika Kataky

Awards MASTeR Of SCIeNCe IN BIOMeDICAL SCIeNCeS THe PROvOST'S AWARD fOR ACADeMIC exCeLLeNCe The Provost’s Award recognize academic excellence and potential for contributions to the field of study and profession.

Nasheed Rashad Burgess 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.

Maza Rose Tchedou THe DeAN’S AWARD IN BIOMeDICAL SCIeNCeS This award recognizes the student who achieved the highest academic level within the graduating class by earning the top grade point average over the two years of the program.

Crisjana Aliese Bellamy

Awards MASTeR Of SCIeNCe IN HeALTH SCIeNCeS PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STuDIeS THe PROvOST’S AWARD The Provost’s Award recognizes academic excellence and potential for contributions to the field of study and profession.

Skyler Tuholski

fACuLTY ReCOGNITION AWARD fOR OuTSTANDING CLINICAL ACHIeveMeNT This 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.

Rachel Norris Westerbeck

Degrees in Course July 29, 2020

Degrees in Course DOCTORATe Of PHARMACY Rahil Abedmoulaie

Rick IďŹƒe ejifoma

Alyssa Beltran Lupoli

Benard Boadi Afriyie

Obinna Curtis ekechukwu

Arrington Dierre Mason-Callaway

Winifred ugonna Ajaegbo

Albert Horace felder III

James McGary III

Richard Bradford Allgood

Behrang Kian foroughian

Janine Ariel Miller

Jonas Arthur

Sewit T. Geda

Izuchuchukwu Nnanyelu Mogbo

Taylor Reed Bailey

Cassandray Jenneciah Gosa

Justin Jiwhan Moon

Krishan Andrew Bajnath

Musawenkosi valentine Gwebu

Cornelius Morkeh

Nieku Bakhtiari

Lindsay Teresa Hall

Andrew David Mote

Barbara Chanele Bazille

Makeisha Tanae Haygood

Kevin Wai Moy

Casey Benefield

unaleesha S. Henry

Christopher Wayne Mullins

Radhika Dharmesh Bhakta

uyen Ho Hernandez

Sakeena Sayeda Muneer

Austin Michael Billings

James Hohenstern

An Phuoc Nguyen

Mildaly Del Carmen Blanco

Chau Tran Huynh

Huy Hoang Quoc Nguyen

Gobong Choi

Nkasiobi Alexandria Ifeadike

Linh My Nguyen

Ryan Clark

Darren Marshall Ingram

Love Bertha Takem Nkamnyi

Cassandra Cornillaud

Mureja Shiberu Keraga

Katrina Myat Noe

Ryan West Coulter

Cuong Trong Khong

Nnenna uzoma Obiora

Timothy David Coyle, Jr.

Hyun Kim

Gifty Aku-Dede Odonkor

Brandon Khoa Dang

Charles Taylor Kuang

Osaretin Peggy Omoregie

Anand Mahendra Dullabh

Ashley Danielle Land

Jonathan Jongwon Park

My Hanh i Duong

uju Pamela Love

Ankita Ishvar Patel

Anuj Arun Patel

Brandon Michael Rush

Anisha omas

Nisha Mukurkumar Patel

Colten Ryan

Allana Cara ompson

Rachna Dhirubhai Patel

Samantha Marie Sabada

Taylor or

Shaina Sunil Patel

Sarah Sheahon

Jennifer Tran

Tiffany Marie Peters

Katherine Marie Skersick

Mathew C. Tran

vy i Khanh Pham

Pierce Wyland Skersick

Amy Jennifer Tuhlei

Alexis Gabrielle Pompey

Margaret R. Still

Lawrence Chukwuemeka uwaeke

Reshad Rahaman

John Albert Sutak

Olivia Cherrie Ward

Alexandro Ramirez

Katherine Whitwell Sweet

Lucy Moua Yang

William Robert Robinson

Charlene Anthonette Terry

Annie Haejin Yoon

Allison Amber Rowell

Kaleb Zhang

Degrees in Course MASTeR Of SCIeNCe IN BIOMeDICAL SCIeNCeS Monisha Y. Amin

Gabrielle Sade Johnson

Shirali Patel

Caleb Anim-Andoh

Megan elizabeth Jones

Tanha Patel

Aditya Atkuru

Devika Kataky

Rachel May Philip

Charles Howland Gilmore Bates

Mohammad Mujibuddin faisal Khan

Marisela Rae Plascencia

Crisjana Aliese Bellamy

Burke ernest Langham III

Mychelayne M. Rattes farias

Anne Kathryne Aballe Belocura

Joneh Marhefka

Sabih Rehman

Nasheed Rashad Burgess

Lincy elizabeth Mathew

Shelly Oriel Restificar

Savion Carswell

Melissa Ann Michotek

Brianne Richardson

Kenny S. Cruz

Collin Morris

Kourtney Taylor Richardson

T’Mora Dorsey

Tanzim Abdal Mridha

Randall Morris SheďŹƒeld

Mustafa elhallaoui

Danielle Myara

Maza Rose Tchedou

Jad Hassan elkhalil

Jeremy DongDuyHien Nguyen

Kelly Tchemi

Drew Sanford Garber

Najiullah Mostofa Noor

Michael Tucker

Jared Alexander Gordon

Jai Mahesh Patel

Philip A. Wang

Jay Arvindkumar Patel

Degrees in Course MASTeR Of SCIeNCe IN HeALTH SCIeNCe PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STuDIeS Saniya M. Ahmed

Nicholas L. Caputo

Carolynn Saba

James Michael Allen

Kimberly Ann Carroll

Ashlyn Coffey Smith

Nathan J. Ambrose

Shannon Dieffenderfer

Lauren Annette Tanna

Kenneth Alfred Anderson Jr.

Linh Ngan

Skyler Tuholski

emily Patricia Andreano

Stephanie anh Nguyen

Bobbi Webb

Stephanie Michelle Arkin

Yeimi Ortiz-Chavez

Rachel Norris Westerbeck

Cara Nell Blenke

Annabeth Dora Pruett

Amber Rose Wobma

Sara Brewer

Lyndsey Ann Rodabaugh

Abigail Marilyn Zora

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 and Chief Financial Officer

Peter Doulis, CPA

Chief Legal Affairs Officer

David F. Simon, JD

Chief Advancement Officer

Carrie Collins, JD, PhD

Chief Diversity and Community Relations Officer

Marcine Pickron-Davis, PhD

Interim Dean and Chief Academic Officer Osteopathic Medical Program – PCOM Georgia

Joseph M. Kaczmarczyk, DO ’82***

Dean and Chief Academic Officer Osteopathic Medical Program PCOM South Georgia

H. William Craver, III, DO ’87***

Dean, School of Pharmacy – PCOM Georgia

Shawn Spencer, PhD***

Chief Campus Officer – PCOM Georgia

R. Bryan Ginn, Jr.***

Executive Assistant to the President and Secretary

Lavinia Lafferty

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 Mr. Matthew O. Elkes Jay S. Feldstein, DO ’81 Stephanie H. Felgoise, PhD* Julie R. Fox, MBA Mr. omas J. Gravina *Faculty Representative **Alumni Representative ***These individuals are members of the PCOM Board only

Jerel A. Hopkins, Esquire Mr. John P. Kearney Vincent Lobo, DO ’65 Suzanne S. Mayes, JD Mr. R. David McCleskey A. Scott McNeal, DO ’88 Dana C. Shaffer, DO ’85** Mr. Wayne T. Sikes 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 Linda R. Adkison, MS, PhD Associate Provost for Accreditation, Growth and Development Sheree J. Aston, OD, PhD Interim Associate Provost for Accreditation, Academic Growth and Development H. William Craver III, DO Dean and Chief Academic Officer, Osteopathic Medical Program, PCOM South Georgia Robert DiTomasso, PhD Dean, School of Professional and Applied Psychology Joseph M. Kaczmarczyk, DO, MPH, MBA Interim Dean and Chief Academic Officer Osteopathic Medical Program, PCOM Georgia Gregory McDonald, DO Dean, School of Health Sciences Shawn Spencer, PharmD Dean and Chief Academic Officer School of Pharmacy, PCOM Georgia Adrianne Jones, MLS Chief Admissions Officer Carrie Collins, JD, PhD Chief Advancement Officer Jane Z. Dumsha, PhD Chief Research and Sponsored Programs Officer Stephanie ferretti, MLS Chief Library Services Officer Mindy George-Weinstein, PhD Chief Research and Science Officer R. Bryan Ginn, Jr. Chief Campus Officer, PCOM Georgia erik Langenau, DO, MBA Chief Academic Technologies Officer Margaret McKeon, BSN, esq.

Chief Compliance Officer

Patience Mason, Med Chief Student Affairs Officer Samuel A. Matheny, Med, MA Chief Student Services Officer, Financial Aid and Interim Registrar Christina Mazzella, MS Chief Human Resources Officer Marisa Niedbalski, MBA Chief Information Security Officer Marcine Pickron-Davis, PhD Chief Diversity and Community Relations Officer Wendy W. Romano Chief Marketing and Communications Officer David Simon, JD Chief Legal Affairs Officer Richard T. Smith, MBA Chief Technology Operations Officer frank H. Windle Chief Facilities Officer Pat Wolf Chief of Safety and Security Officer Arthur Sesso, DO Senior Associate Dean of Osteopathic Curricular Innovation and Oversight and Chair, Surgery Bonnie A. Buxton, PhD Associate Dean, Osteopathic Curriculum and Chair, Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, Osteopathic Medical Program, PCOM Georgia Kerin fresa, PhD Associate Dean, Osteopathic Curriculum, Philadelphia Campus Naushad M. Khan Ghilzai, PhD Associate Dean for Academics, School of Pharmacy, PCOM Georgia David Kuo, DO Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education and Director of Medical Education Michael Becker, DO, MS Assistant Dean, Clerkship Education Marla Golden, DO Director of Clerkship Academics, PCOM Georgia, PCOM South Georgia Chair of Clinical Education, PCOM South Georgia Michael Lee, PhD Assistant Dean, Professional and Student Affairs, School of Pharmacy, PCOM Georgia

Administration (continued) Julie Wickman, PharmD Assistant Dean, Clinical Education School of Pharmacy, PCOM Georgia Joanne M. Jones, MBA Campus Officer, PCOM South Georgia Brian Balin, PhD Chair, Department of Bio-Medical Sciences Stephanie H. felgoise, PhD, ABPP Chair, Department of Clinical Psychology elizabeth A. Gosch, PhD, ABPP Chair, Department of Counseling, PCOM Jessica Glass Kendorski, PhD, NCSP, BCBA-D Chair, Department of School Psychology, PCOM

Laura Levy, DHSc, PA-C Chair, Physician Assistant Studies PCOM and PCOM Georgia Phillip Palmer, PT, PhD Chair, Physical Therapy, PCOM Georgia Avadhesh C. Sharma, PharmD, PhD Chair, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, PCOM Georgia John Tovar, PharmD Chair, Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, PCOM Georgia

Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine Alumni Association 2020 Council Members

executive Council

Professional Careers Council

William B. Swallow, DO ’79 – President

Prerakkumar Adhuria, PharmD ’17

Paul J. LaPoint, DO ’90 – President-Elect

Jennifer Alvarado, MS/FM ’08

Amanda S. Murphy, MS, PA ’02 – Secretary

Christopher W. Brown, MS/CCHP ’11

Shanda D. Lucas-O’Dennis, MS/ODL ’09

Madeleine L. Brown, MS/Biomed ’18

Awards Committee Chair Jennifer A. Dwyer, DO ’08 Nominating Committee Chair Melissa Schwartz, DO ’91 – Past President

Krystal N. Carter, MS/CCHP ’10 Ashara Cashaw, MS, PsyD ’13 Rashim Lancit, EdS ’13 Ruark Lanham, MS/ODL ’07 David M. Poponi, PsyD ’09 Preston Williams, MS/PA ’07

DO Council Michael Becker, DO ’87

Trainee Council

James M. Bonner, DO ’86

Sarah C. Hryzak (DO ’18), Resident

Gretta A. Gross, DO ’97

Samuel Berding (DO ’22), Student Rep,

Ricky P. Lockett, DO ’84 Joseph Nyzio, DO ’00 Ositadinma O. Opara, DO ’99 William J. Pesce, DO ’89 Elsira M. Pina, DO ’89

PCOM Georgia Jazmone Kelly (DO ’23), Student Rep, PCOM South Georgia Jacob Stein, MS/Biomed ’19 (DO ’23), Student Rep, PCOM

Howard M. Robinson, DO ’90 Alumni Association Board Representative to PCOM Board of Trustees Dana C. Shaffer, DO ’85 PCOM President & CeO Jay S. Feldstein, DO ’81 Senior Manager, Alumni Special Services Pamela J. Ruoff, MS

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

The Mace and Baton The College Seal The Academic Costume Oath of a Pharmacist

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.

Oath of a Pharmacist “I promise to devote myself to a lifetime of service to others through the profession of pharmacy. In fulfilling this vow: I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering my primary concerns.

I will apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal outcomes for my patients.

I will respect and protect all personal and health information entrusted to me.

I will accept the lifelong obligation to improve my professional knowledge and competence.

I will hold myself and my colleagues to the highest principles of our profession’s moral, ethical and legal conduct.

I will embrace and advocate changes that improve patient care.

I will utilize my knowledge, skills, experiences, and values to prepare the next generation of pharmacists.

I take these vows voluntarily with the full realization of the responsibility with which I am entrusted by the public.”