20
May 16, 2020 A Virtual Commencement
May 16, 2020A Virtual Commencement
Processional Pomp and Circumstance, Edward Elgar
Welcome Rhonda McIntyre, MBBS, FAAP, FRCP (C) AssociateDean,MedicalSciences
MessagefromRUSM Susan Groenwald, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAANBoardofTrustees ChairmanoftheRUSMBoardofTrustees
MessagefromProvost James M. Record, MD, JD, FACP ChiefAcademicOfficerandProvost RossUniversitySchoolofMedicine
Commencement Claire Pomeroy, MD, MBA, President,Address AlbertandMaryLaskerFoundation
ConferralofDegreesforRoss James M. Record, MD, JD, FACPUniversitySchoolofMedicine ChiefAcademicOfficerandProvost RossUniversitySchoolofMedicine
PresentationofGraduates
RecitationoftheModified Raquel Dardik, MD, MsEd, FACOGOathofGeneva Professor&Chair,Obstetrics&Gynecology
Hedda Dyer, MB CHB Ed, MRCS Ed, MBA AssociateProfessor,Departmentof ClinicalFoundations
Ricardo Hood, MD Chair, DepartmentofClinicalFoundations
Sarvotham Kini, MD, FACS, FACEP Professor&DirectorofSeniorElectives
Eric Neilson, MD, AssistantProfessor, DepartmentofClinicalFoundations
Michael Rosenblum, MD, FACP Professor&Chair,InternalMedicine
AlumniCouncilAddress Panagiotis “Taki” Galanopoulos, MD, MSc, FAAFPRUSMClassof2007 PresidentRUSMAlumniCouncil
NewGraduateAddress Rida Jamal, MD, RUSMClassof2020
ClosingRemarks James M. Record, MD, JD, FACP ChiefAcademicOfficerandProvost RossUniversitySchoolofMedicine
Recessional Triumphal March, Giuseppe Verdi
Commencement 2020 Program
1
2
RICHARDCARMONA,MD,MPH,FACS17thSurgeonGeneraloftheUnitedStatesDistinguishedProfessor,UniversityofArizona
SHARONTHOMAS-PARROTTRetiredSeniorVicePresidentExternalRelationsandGlobalResponsibilityDeVryEducationGroupFoundingPresident,TheDeVryFoundation
AMYE.POLLACK,MD,FACOG,FACPMDirector,Maternal,Newborn&ChildHealthBill&MelindaGatesFoundation
JOHNB.PAYNE,MBACEOandFounder,PetHealthInnovations
GLENF.HOFFSIS,DVM,MS,DACVIM
THOMASG.HOLLINGER,PHDChairEmeritusEmeritusAssociateProfessorDepartmentofAnatomyandCellBiologyUniversityofFlorida,CollegeofMedicine
SUSANGROENWALD,PHD,RN,ANEF,FAANChairman
RUSM Board of TrusteesConferral of Degrees for Ross University School of Medicine
2
3
I solemnly pledge to dedicate my life to the service of humanity; The health and well-being of my patient will be my first consideration; I will respect the autonomy and dignity of my patient; I will maintain the utmost respect for human life; I will not permit considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient;
I will respect the secrets that are confided in me, even after the patient has died; I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity And in accordance with good medical practice; I will foster the honour and noble traditions of the medical profession;
I will give to my teachers, colleagues, and students the respect and gratitude that is their due I will share my medical knowledge for the benefit of the patient and the advancement of healthcare;
I will attend to my own health, well-being, and abilities in order to provide care of the highest standard; I will not use my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat; I make these promises solemnly, freely, and upon my honour
Modified
OATHOFGENEVA
4
Keynote Commencement Speaker
ClairePomeroy,MD,MBAPresident,AlbertandMaryLaskerFoundation
Claire Pomeroy is president of the Albert and Mary
Lasker Foundation. She serves as chief executive officer
of the Foundation and is responsible for advancing the
Foundation’s mission to “improve health by accelerating
support for medical research through recognition of
research excellence, education and advocacy.”
An expert in infectious diseases, Dr. Pomeroy is a long-
time advocate for patients, especially those with HIV/
AIDS, and public health. She passionately supports
ongoing investment in the full range of research. She has
a special interest in health care policy, with a focus on the
importance of the social determinants of health. She has
published more than 100 articles and book chapters and
edited three books.
Dr. Pomeroy serves on the Board of Trustees for the Morehouse School of Medicine and
the Board of Directors for the Science Philanthropy Alliance; the Sierra Health Foundation;
the Foundation for Biomedical Research; iBiology, Inc.; New York Academy of Medicine;
Haemonetics Corporation; and for Becton Dickinson & Company. Dr. Pomeroy was inducted into
the National Academy of Medicine in 2011.
Dr. Pomeroy received bachelors and medical degrees from the University of Michigan and
completed her residency and fellowship training in internal medicine and infectious diseases at
the University of Minnesota. She earned an MBA from the University of Kentucky. She received
an honorary Doctor of Science degree from University of Massachusetts Medical School in
2016. She has held faculty positions at the University of Minnesota, University of Kentucky and
University of California (UC) Davis. Dr. Pomeroy was chief of infectious diseases and associate
dean for research and informatics at the University of Kentucky. She joined UC Davis in 2003
as executive associate dean and served as vice chancellor and dean of the School of Medicine
from 2005 through 2013. She became president of the Lasker Foundation in June 2013.
Alumni Council Commencement Speaker
Panagiotis“Taki”GalanopoulosMD,MSc,FAAFP,RUSMClassof2007PresidentRUSMAlumniCouncil
5
Dr. Panagiotis (Takis) Galanopoulos is a dedicated family physician operating Blue Water Medical, his multi-provider outpatient family medicine practice, located in Vancouver, Canada. In addition to running his clinic, he currently serves as a clinical instructor in the Department of Family Practice at the University of British Columbia School of Medicine
(UBC). He also teaches nurse practitioner students from both the University of Victoria and UBC.
Dr. Galanopoulos began his journey in medicine with the completion of both an undergraduate and a master’s degree from the School of Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University (SFU). His passion for science and teaching led him to be an instructor at various academic institutions, including SFU, the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and the Open Learning Agency.
When he decided that medical school was his next goal, Dr. Galanopoulos flew to Dominica to poll students about their experience at Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM), and likely was one of very few prospective students who requested to be interviewed on the island. His unorthodox approach ultimately landed him back on Dominica in 2003, when Dr. Galanopoulos began his first semester at Ross University School of Medicine.
Following his graduation from RUSM, Dr. Galanopoulos completed his residency at the University of Louisville Department of Family and Geriatric Medicine and served as co-chief resident during his final year. Throughout his time at U of L, he was the U.S. resident representative on the board of the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG), a research-oriented organization, which allowed him to combine his interests in clinical and research medicine.
Hopkinsville, Kentucky, was his next destination. Where, in 2011, Dr. Galanopoulos helped to start a hospital-owned, hybrid primary care practice and walk-in clinic. During this time, he also participated in the primary care arm of a community mental health center, working alongside psychiatry colleagues in a team-based, patient-centered health clinic. This experience opened an opportunity for him to serve as the Chief Medical Officer of a new federally-qualified health center.
After over a decade of experience in serving community health care needs in many parts of the United States, Dr. Galanopoulos made the decision to return back home to Vancouver, Canada. He transitioned to the Canadian medical system in primary care and also as lead physician at the BCIT student health center for a number of years before opening a practice of his own.
Throughout his academic and professional careers, Dr. Galanopoulos has maintained a strong and active relationship with Ross University School of Medicine. He has served as junior faculty, as well as medical director on Campus. He has been a proud Alumni Association member since graduation and has been President of the Alumni Association since the fall of 2019.
Letter to Graduates
6
Dear Graduates,
Congratulations to you all, our graduating class of 2020, and welcome to the Ross University School of Medicine Alumni Association.
There are few moments in your life such as this one. Today is a day to recognize and acknowledge the tremendous effort that you have made to achieve this remarkable goal. It is a time to reflect on the choices that brought you here. To hold space for both the challenging and exciting moments throughout your journey. It is also an occasion to thank all the people in your world who supported you every step of the way. Today is truly a day of celebration. You deserve it.
This graduating class is unique in many ways. Together you experienced first-hand, the devastating effects of hurricane Maria. You were relocated and thrusted into a new learning environment, multiple times. And now, you are about to graduate from medical school in the middle of a global pandemic outbreak, the likes of which have not been seen for over a century. Your ability to focus and persevere under extraordinary circumstances will serve you well. The adaptability and resiliency you have demonstrated will be invaluable in your tomorrow.
Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow you begin the next part of your journey. There will be new challenges, new exciting moments and a renewed effort to reach your next goal. As you ready yourself for residency, your relationship with the Ross University School of Medicine changes. You are now a member of the Alumni Association and are instantly a part of a global network of highly skilled, intelligent, and compassionate physicians.
The Alumni Association will be an invaluable resource for you as you continue on your journey. For nearly four decades, the Association has fostered and continues to grow a network of Alumni members who take great pride in being Ross University School of Medicine graduates. Through our programs and events, we aim to provide opportunities to forge strong relationships among alumni, students, faculty and friends.
I encourage you to be active in the Alumni Association through both participation in events and programs, and also through the many ways to volunteer. For more details on what the Alumni Association can provide you and how you can get involved, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations or visit our website at https://medical.rossu.edu/alumni/.
As Alumni members, we are ambassadors of our alma mater, strengthening its reputation with all of our collective professional achievements and accolades. I invite you to continue the Ross University School of Medicine legacy as an educational leader through your active participation as an Alumni Association member. Tomorrow marks the start of the next chapter in your story. But for today, let me once more give you enthusiastic congratulations.
Sincerely,
Panagiotis(Taki)Galanopoulos,MDMScFAAFPCCFP President, Ross University School of Medicine Alumni Association
@RossMedAlumni
754-707-5549
@RUSMalumni
Dr. Nikka Isabella AbariciaDr. Kalkidan AbebeDr. Roux Barron AbubakarDr. Jerma Caren AdamsDr. Nana Afua Akyaa AddoDr. Manar Toum AdemDr. Monisola AdesanyaDr. Oluwadamilola Adedoyin AdeyemoDr. Akua Awuku AdinkrahDr. Yonatan Adler with High HonorsDr. Marwa Afridi with High HonorsDr. Syed Muhammad Azeem Afzal
with Highest HonorsDr. Adelaide Afua AgyepongDr. Syed Zubair AhmadDr. Adeel Ahmed with HonorsDr. Faraaz Ahmed with Highest HonorsDr. Amir AhmedDr. Hoda Haydari AhwaziDr. Destiny AighobahiDr. Ehiwe AkhigbeDr. Fadi AlbahraDr. Awad AlbogaDr. Eric Raymond AlcornDr. Sunu AlexanderDr. Ayman Shabib AlhadheriDr. Syed Numahair AliDr. Hyder AliDr. Madiha Amjad AliDr. Klaudio AllaDr. Omar Mohammad AllauddinDr. Anasheh AlmasiDr. Ahmed AlnahhasDr. Lubna AmanDr. Darnelle Nimalka AmboDr. Shyam Amin with HonorsDr. Raha AminiDr. Samia AmjadDr. Kristianne Marie Amurao with HonorsDr. Derrick AnannabDr. Steven Blaine AndersonDr. Torri C Anderson with Highest Honors
Dr. Ryan Paul Anderson with Highest HonorsDr. Pamela Annetta AngeloDr. Glory Chioma AniDr. Kofi Ntow Ansah with High HonorsDr. Dubem Fernandez AnumbaDr. Anna Axentiev with High HonorsDr. Rojin ArefiDr. Iesha ArfeenDr. Victoria Lynn ArsenaultDr. Sheikh Iqbal ArshadDr. Tamara AvezbadalovDr. Diego Alonso-Dulkis AvilesDr. Chady AwadDr. Raheel AwanDr. Oyinkansola Chelsea Awodiya with
High HonorsDr. Marco Ayad with HonorsDr. Victoria AyalaDr. Monazza AzamDr. Kirandeep Kaur Bains with Highest HonorsDr. Mandeep Kaur BajwaDr. Atlee Tyler Baker with Highest HonorsDr. Elnaz BalashiDr. Matthew Philip BalatbatDr. Amarah Baluch with Highest HonorsDr. Jasira BarrientosDr. Samariah Bautch with Highest HonorsDr. Blirjon Baxhija with HonorsDr. Victoria BeataDr. David Thomas BellDr. Brian Victor BenderDr. Bryan Andrew BennettDr. Melanie BernardesDr. Meera BhalaniDr. Kishley Bhalla with Highest HonorsDr. Mohit BhallaDr. Kaamya Bhandari with High HonorsDr. Neal Kumar BharadwajDr. Sahebjit Singh BhasinDr. Naren Bhupatiraju with High HonorsDr. Samay Bhushan with High HonorsDr. Peter John Biggane
Degree Candidates | Doctor of Medicine7
DoctorofMedicine
Degree CandidatesClass of 2020
Degree Candidates | Doctor of Medicine
Dr. Ahmad BilalDr. Francesca Helena Blazekovic with
High HonorsDr. Andrew Bleinberger with Highest HonorsDr. Vera BoatengDr. Alexander McDonell BoazDr. Stephen Rupert BocarroDr. Barisere Bodo with High HonorsDr. Elizabeth Joyce BogatyDr. Arinze Nelson Bosah with Highest HonorsDr. Julia BottoniDr. Samantha Boustani with High HonorsDr. Ty Alexander BowmanDr. Robin Anna Marie BoyerDr. Preeti BrarDr. Amanda Renee BrennerDr. Evan Daniel BrochinDr. Zachary Thomas Brown with High HonorsDr. Naomi Safiya BrownDr. Marcus Tyler BrownDr. Kayla Michelle BrubakerDr. Mara Nicole BryanDr. Faith Buchanan with High HonorsDr. Brandon Christopher BuchelDr. Taylor Howell BuckDr. Hubby BuehlerDr. Nadara Kimberly Ann BunchDr. Alexandra Nicole BurkichDr. Nimerta Kaur BurmhiDr. Cassandra Terri-Lynn Butt with
Highest HonorsDr. Andres CamachoDr. Christiam CamperoDr. Etny CandelarioDr. Stephanie Jean Carro-KowalcykDr. Nicklaus CarrothersDr. Leonardo Vidal Cartagena-MendezDr. Bradley Casey IIIDr. Krystal CastanedaDr. Alexander Nguyen CastilloDr. Alvaro Castro with Highest HonorsDr. Francesca Maria Ceci with Highest HonorsDr. Carmen Stephanie Ceron VelasquezDr. Lia Nadine CesarDr. Grant Champlin ChambersDr. Alan Chan with High HonorsDr. Kipson Richard CharlesDr. Alix Jr CharlesDr. Giovanni Charles with High HonorsDr. Akriti Chaudhry
Dr. Hunza ChaudhryDr. Zubair Rafiq ChaudryDr. Raul Enrique ChavarriaDr. Ayesha Sarfraz CheemaDr. Miao ChenDr. Deepvansh Chandradeep ChopraDr. Manik Bir ChowdhryDr. Felix ChuangDr. Lindsey ClarkDr. Edwin Efren Climaco FelicianoDr. Jonathan Martins CoelhoDr. Lee Thomas Colaianni with Highest HonorsDr. Jason Alexander Cooper HonorsDr. Nicholas CooperDr. Terrell Deandre CoringDr. Matthew Alexander Cornacchia with
High HonorsDr. Ronald Owen CrandallDr. Alben Eli Cuevas GonzalezDr. Jared Ray Curtis with High HonorsDr. Denise Sarah DaileyDr. Jordan DaloyaDr. Laurene Adjoa DampareDr. Zaki Krishan DardDr. Yoness Mark DarouichiDr. Jeremy Allen DavisDr. Carolyn DavisDr. Polly Ann DavisDr. Samantha Maria D’CostaDr. Patricia De La CabadaDr. Juan Carlos De La Cruz MayhuaDr. Anthony G De LeonDr. Peter De Mola with Highest HonorsDr. Nathalie De PazDr. Benjamin Johnny DelgadoDr. Chardiel Janice Delgado MirandaDr. Adriana Lynn DelmonicoDr. Tervicine DelvaDr. Zoe Demarest with High HonorsDr. Jennifer Kate DemuroDr. Michael Derogatis with Highest HonorsDr. Krutika R DesaiDr. Taylor Renee DesormeauxDr. Mahdi DiabDr. Cem DikengilDr. Jacob Kiley DixonDr. Soraya DjadjoDr. Ashley Renee DohlmanDr. Serena Meighan DonahueDr. Christina Marie Donath with High Honors
8
Dr. Thai Tosakul Donenfeld with High HonorsDr. Christopher DongDr. Laurena Nelly Dongmo FotsingDr. Laxmi Priya Dongur with High HonorsDr. Miriam Donis-Garcia with High HonorsDr. Jesse DoyleDr. Molly Ann DrlikDr. Rachel Danielle DucoteDr. Derek Stephen DueyDr. Shadrack Kwaku DugbateyDr. Martin DukajDr. Sandi Nichole DunnDr. Sophie Thu Thuy DuongDr. Patrick Alain Duplan with High HonorsDr. Jazmine Socorro DuranDr. Chanelle DurandDr. Javon Joshua DurleyDr. Jessica Lynn Eastwood with
Highest HonorsDr. Jeffrey EbinDr. Jeremy A EckesDr. Ihinosen Lydia EdgalDr. Joel Nathaniel Edwall with HonorsDr. Peter N EgwomDr. Kimberly Nichole EideDr. Zachary Thomas Einwechter with
Highest HonorsDr. Chibuzor Chika EjikeDr. Meriam ElahmadDr. Letty John Elengical with Highest HonorsDr. Sarah Ayman El-Halees with High HonorsDr. Miguel Andres ElizondoDr. Afroditi D. EmporelliDr. Christopher EndresDr. Mattie Larae ErbyDr. Rex Kelechukwu EsochaghiDr. Daniel Ayomidotun Fadare with
Highest HonorsDr. Sarah Faheem with Highest HonorsDr. Michael FalahatDr. Alyssa Lee FarinaDr. Elie FegahliDr. Brittany Ciera-Denise FieldsDr. Sean Patrick FitzmorrisDr. Kathryn Amalia Fivelstad with
Highest HonorsDr. Julia Flum-StockwellDr. Brian James Foster with HonorsDr. William Read FoundsDr. Cody Keith Fox
Dr. Nicole T FrancisDr. Michele Yvette FratesDr. Thomas Lance FulghumDr. Sebastian GallegoDr. Nithya GandhamDr. Fabian Garcia with Highest HonorsDr. Ishan GargDr. Kristoff Jerome GayleDr. Ayomide Omolayo GbenleDr. Garrick David GeeseyDr. Ramir Cayanan GeluzDr. Gabrielle GerbinoDr. Maria Gabriella Gerew with Highest HonorsDr. Samuel Ghencian with High HonorsDr. Priyanka Deepak GianchandaniDr. Joseph Salvatore GiannettaDr. Matthew Bryan GilbertDr. Michael George GindiDr. Joshua Matthew GleasonDr. Jaskaren GohalDr. Ariana Candace GoldsteinDr. Jonathan GomezDr. Jonathan GomezDr. Ashley Summer Goodwin with
Highest HonorsDr. Natalie Danielle Gordon with High HonorsDr. Salvatore Anthony GrassoDr. Jehovany Edward GratiaDr. Andrea Green with High HonorsDr. John Thomas GreenfieldDr. Gilda-Rae GrellDr. Christopher John GrenzDr. Christopher Eric Grippo with HonorsDr. Yana Davidovna Gristan with High HonorsDr. Merna GuirguisDr. Siddhant Gupta with High HonorsDr. Elvis Emil Guzman with High HonorsDr. Mena Fayez Habib MorcosDr. Aarash Habibi with Highest HonorsDr. William Louis Hall with High HonorsDr. Erin Elizabeth HallDr. Rewaida Hall with High HonorsDr. Mohamad Talal HamadeDr. Michal Leigh Hammond with
Highest HonorsDr. Christopher Paul HammondDr. Vincent Najah HannoshDr. Jaclyn Marie HansenDr. Mitchell Dean Hare with HonorsDr. Abishek Hariharan
Degree Candidates | Doctor of Medicine9
Dr. Samar Mohammed HarounDr. Stephen Brooks HarperDr. Sarah Louise HarperDr. Ryan Hartle with High HonorsDr. Farhad Ahmad HashmiDr. Shawn Wesley HaynesDr. Akash Dayasagar Hazari with High HonorsDr. Travis Carl Helberg with Highest HonorsDr. Mary HenaryDr. Nathan Alexander HicksDr. Brian James HillaryDr. Brett Carl HinsleyDr. Su Myat HlaingDr. Raymond Elliot HoDr. Ryan Anthony HolbrookDr. Timothy Eugene HollowedDr. Justin Alvarez HolmesDr. Jennifer Lydia HorawskiDr. Bobby Terrell HoustonDr. Timothy HsuDr. Eric S HsuDr. Maria Elizabeth HuaringaDr. Jessica Kate Hudson with Highest HonorsDr. Eric Blaine HummelDr. Jonathan David HundDr. Rahbia HusseinDr. Thanh Cong HuynhDr. Caleb Alan Hyde with Highest HonorsDr. Chukwuemeka Igwe with High HonorsDr. Fady IkladiousDr. Oludolapo Oyetola IloriDr. Farwa Ilyas with HonorsDr. Marialla InoyatovDr. Kerelos Magdy IsacDr. Lincoln IslamDr. Osman IsmaeelDr. Saat Imade Itaman-GallienDr. Karishma Iyer with High HonorsDr. Courtney Marie JacksonDr. Christopher Thomas JacobDr. Roshan JacobDr. Rachel Ivey JacobsDr. Amir JadidianDr. Atousa JahanshahiDr. Renuka Sachdeva JainDr. Rida JamalDr. Nida JamiDr. Ami Jayesh JaniDr. Zainub JavedDr. Derianne Nancy Jeff-Eke
Dr. Ji-Il JeonDr. Silpa Sree JettyDr. Elisee Jionang DapeuDr. Djamel JoachinDr. Todd David JohnsonDr. Nicole JohnsonDr. Timothy Vettiyanickal JosephDr. Jessica Saji JosephDr. Kessy JosephDr. Abhijeet JoshiDr. Marek JucovicDr. Sashika S KalansuriyaDr. Amira Sneha KambojDr. Joshua James Kaminski with High HonorsDr. David Young KangDr. Habibullah KarimiDr. Patricia KatribDr. Sarah Michelle KaufmanDr. Gurwinder KaurDr. Jasmine KaurDr. Lakhvir Kaur with Highest HonorsDr. Chelsae Patricia KeeneyDr. Akinwunmi Michael KehindeDr. Noor M Ketana with High HonorsDr. Mustafa Hani Khalaf with HonorsDr. Amir Arshad Khalil with Highest HonorsDr. Amrit Kaur KhalsaDr. Navid Khamooshi with High HonorsDr. Akbar U KhanDr. Faraad KhanDr. Muzaffar Mohammed KhanDr. Noreen Amber KhanDr. Irfan KhanDr. Manisha KhanalDr. Sonya KhimaniDr. Nida A Khokhar with High HonorsDr. Waleed Shaheen Khokher with
Highest HonorsDr. Nakisa Chantel Acosta KiaiDr. Cheyenne Kidder with Highest HonorsDr. Matthew Roger KileyDr. Hyonju KimDr. Sujith KochatDr. Pracheeta KrishnanDr. Marcel KroschkDr. Yun-Wei KuoDr. Gabrielle LaFaveDr. Pascale Gloria LafortuneDr. Cynthia Megan LaiDr. Eric Landa
Degree Candidates | Doctor of Medicine 10
Dr. Kenneth LauDr. Pasquale LavegliaDr. Ricardo Leante BoneDr. Michael William LeeDr. Heidi Lynn LentzDr. Amy Marie LeurindaDr. Christian Roberto LeurindaDr. Brian Ting-Cheung LiDr. Autumn LindsayDr. Daniel Yang LiuDr. Kuang Chuen LiuDr. Amina Lleshi with High HonorsDr. Madeline Elaine Lodeiro with
Highest HonorsDr. Rabeea Rafiq LodhraDr. Angela Briyanka LoweDr. Kenneth LubericeDr. Bea Sheridan LucasDr. Sparghai Sahar LudinDr. Sabra Simindra LukeDr. Ariana Marie Lundquist with HonorsDr. Bailin LuoDr. Hillery Anna LutzowDr. Rafael Vidal Rosacia MacaraegDr. Tommy MaciasDr. Raffaele Angelo MacriDr. Ryan Peyton MaddoxDr. George Micheal MadkourDr. Thamara MagloireDr. Sujeivan MahendramDr. Andrew MahesanDr. Esha MahmoodDr. Faraz MahmoodDr. Olabisi Makanjuola with Highest HonorsDr. Antony Vincent MancherilDr. Joshua Nasen ManiamDr. Arawins Andrew Manoharan with
High HonorsDr. Nadia ManzoorDr. Arilda MargjoniDr. Iris Grisselle Marin RiveraDr. Gibson Henry MarsenatDr. Shemika MartinDr. Justin Michael Martin-WhitlockDr. Anthony Michael MartzDr. Robert Paul MasDr. Ramez Adel Massoud with High HonorsDr. James MathewDr. Saman MattiDr. Namita Kaur Mattu with High Honors
Dr. Christopher Lance MayfieldDr. Sanoara MazidDr. Odera Ogugua MbanugoDr. Yvonne Sarah Adjua MbindaDr. Eric Ngalle MbuaDr. James Daniel McCaffertyDr. Jason McDonaldDr. Jennifer Leigh McDougallDr. Amir McPhearsonDr. Cykeithia Sharona McphersonDr. Richard Medina PerezDr. Serguei Medvedev with Highest HonorsDr. Akanksha MehlaDr. Joshua Daniel MejiaDr. Ana Maria Mejia CardenasDr. Faizan MemonDr. Christian Manuel Mendez with
Highest HonorsDr. Omar Mohammad MerchantDr. Bryan D MerckelDr. Asima Tabasum MianDr. Zachary MilcawichDr. Leah Nicole MillerDr. Colee Michelle MitchellDr. Sadio Ahmed MohamedDr. Fahma Osman MohamedDr. Nazira MojadidiDr. Angela Maria Montoya with Highest HonorsDr. Patrick Devins MooneyDr. Matthew Carlton Gordon MorganDr. Elizabeth A Morrison with High HonorsDr. Makenzie Rhea Morrissey with
Highest HonorsDr. Kelsey Lynn MoweryDr. Mashrur MoyeedKurt Mintlow Dr. Josephine MoyoDr. Makayla Grace MozeyDr. Dwaipayan MuhuriDr. Michael Alejandro Munoz with HonorsDr. Aye Aye Myint with Highest HonorsDr. Saadia Bibi NabiDr. Suchitra NairDr. Abhijeet Satish NamjoshiDr. Nafisah Serwari NaqviDr. Areeba Nasir ZamarDr. Arezou NazaryDr. Jean-Yves Reshad Nazroo with
Highest HonorsDr. Claudius Ndifon NdigamkongDr. Dilasha Neupane
Degree Candidates | Doctor of Medicine11
Dr. Kedon Arthur NewtonDr. Karl K NgDr. Vincent Trung Huu Ngo with
Highest HonorsDr. Doan Vo-Bao NguyenDr. Jimmy Ta Nguyen with Highest HonorsDr. Ifesinachi Celestina NnajiDr. Crystal Williams NockDr. Benjamin O NolascoDr. Soroush Nomigolzar with High HonorsDr. Robert Kenneth NovakDr. Thomas Forbah-Sama NubongDr. Tatiana NunezDr. Kelechi Udodi Nwabara with High HonorsDr. Agnes Emilie NyeckDr. Beverly NyokabiDr. Chidimma Erimma NzehDr. Jessica Ekomerei ObiDr. Kelly O’BoyleDr. Ivory Gray OchoaDr. Victoria Odeleye with Highest HonorsDr. Brentwood M OftedalDr. Stephen Sigungu OgwangDr. Kasiemobi Bernice OkonkwoDr. Amarachukwu Nnenna Okoye with
Highest HonorsDr. Yuliya OliferDr. Foluwakemi Omololu OlufehintiDr. Burcu OnbasiDr. Ephraim Chinenyeze OparaDr. Matthew Evan Osborn with Highest HonorsDr. Brenton Kyle OteyDr. Eugide K OthepaDr. Stephanie Chidinma OtuwaDr. Jason Oum with High HonorsDr. Maria Augusta PalaciosDr. Christine Enriquez PalmaresDr. Abdullah PanchbhayaDr. Aneta W Panczak-FilipDr. Emilin PandianDr. Deshanki Naishad PandyaDr. Aseem Prakash ParasherDr. Richard Grove Pardo with HonorsDr. Aisha PariharDr. Domonique ParkesDr. Vrajesh ParmarDr. Sara Dinnell Parmiter with HonorsDr. Dennis PaskalDr. Nilesh Rajnikant PatelDr. Deep Patel
Dr. Mruna J Patel with High HonorsDr. Mallika PatelDr. Mohini Ajay PatelDr. Niyanta Himanshu PatelDr. Ria Deepak PatelDr. Parth Rajen Patel HonorsDr. Priya PatelDr. Himax Patel with High HonorsDr. Kunjal PatelDr. Priya PatelDr. John Wesley PatresanDr. Eric Riley PattenDr. Taimi PerezDr. Giselle PerezDr. Jesse PerezDr. Tommy Duong PhamDr. Jimmy PhanDr. Caleb Wayne Phillips with Highest HonorsDr. Myat PhyoDr. Conlan Joseph PierceDr. Yeoshina PillayDr. Anthony PolesDr. Christopher Luis PolonioDr. Ektor PolykandriotisDr. Desmond Recardo PonderDr. Anand Pooleri with HonorsDr. Catherine PorrasDr. Erica Marie PottsDr. Lina PourmehrDr. Joshua Blake PowellDr. Meagan Brandy Powers with
Highest HonorsDr. Brianna Lindsay ProbascoDr. Luv PurohitDr. Miriam Emad QuinlanDr. John Joseph Quinlan with Highest HonorsDr. Alexander Gregory Garnett Quinn with
Highest HonorsDr. Brady Lawerence RadmallDr. Danny Yaspaul RamDr. Monica RamaswamyDr. Jose Carlos RamosDr. Oswald Alejandro Ramos TuarezDr. Haris Ali RanaDr. Simranjit Singh RandhawaDr. Rohit Rangroo with High HonorsDr. Mohammad RaoDr. Shoaib RashidDr. Rakin Muhammad RashidDr. Samantha Ratnayake with High Honors
Degree Candidates | Doctor of Medicine 12
Dr. Raghav Anjan RavuriDr. Keirsten Michelle ReillyDr. Isaac ReinherzDr. Dixie Bettel ReinosoDr. Brian RennerDr. Katherine Paige ReyburnDr. Nader Magdy RezkallaDr. Oleg Edward Reznik with High HonorsDr. Nathan RichardsDr. Rasheeda Shaakira Rickman with
High HonorsDr. Christopher Jon RiderDr. Jarryd Rivera with HonorsDr. Jose Daniel Rivera RoblesDr. Kayla Shereece Robinson with
Highest HonorsDr. Vanessa Carolina Rodriguez Fuenmayor
with Highest HonorsDr. Alexandra Esther Rodriguez-PerezDr. David Leigh RoehrichDr. Marianela Rosales Gerpe with
High HonorsDr. Desmond Munnerlyn Rowe with
High HonorsDr. Ariana Ruiz SanchezDr. Alejandro Ruiz-CastanedaDr. Gohar Rundhawa with High HonorsDr. Danny Drew Russell with High HonorsDr. Yousaf SaeedDr. Nana SafoaahDr. Amit Kumar Sah with High HonorsDr. Marc-Edwin Gabriel Saint-LouisDr. Michael Olanrewaju SalakoDr. Mario Antonio Saldana with High HonorsDr. Kanwar Prabhjot SandhuDr. Manbir Kaur SandhuDr. Michael Sandhu with Highest HonorsDr. Christopher Marsh Sangster with
Highest HonorsDr. Elio SantoDr. Marianna SarkissyanDr. Kaviya SathyakumarDr. Leslie SchierDr. Monica Segura with High HonorsDr. Harvey Sekhon with Highest HonorsDr. Amara ShafiDr. Moksha ShahDr. Zainab Syeda ShahDr. Shahzeb ShaheenDr. Maryam Shaheen
Dr. Anjali Kala ShahiDr. Elika ShahkamraniDr. Moomal ShaikhDr. Sufyan Adnan ShaikhDr. Mehek ShaikhDr. Sanskriti SharmaDr. Namgyal Phurba Sherpa with High HonorsDr. Monica Shifman with Highest HonorsDr. Salem ShihadehDr. Keisha Crystal ShortDr. Prabina ShresthaDr. Brandon ShunDr. Peter SiclariDr. Hana SiddiqueDr. Parneeta SinghDr. Rajvinder SinghDr. Kanwardeep SinghDr. Chanpreet SinghDr. Jai Karan SinghDr. Gurjant SinghDr. Ranbir SinghDr. Amandeep SinghDr. Brianna Lynn SkrzypcakDr. Mohammed SleimanDr. Rebecca Elizabeth SmidyDr. Wilson T. SmithDr. Robert Alexander SmithDr. Nicole Cedar Smith with Highest HonorsDr. Maria Manuela Snyder with High HonorsDr. Corey Aaron Snyder with High HonorsDr. Caroline SongDr. Carly Renee SooDr. Sam Scott Sorrentino with Highest HonorsDr. Amira Mahadie SoubianeDr. Melissa F SparacioDr. Gergana Stancheva with Highest HonorsDr. Robert Logan Staples with High HonorsDr. Ahja Dominique SteeleDr. Martin Christopher Steele with High HonorsDr. Ryan Jason Stempniak with High HonorsDr. Jessica Michelle StephensDr. Alexandra Erinn Stiegler with High HonorsDr. Frank Anthony StrnadDr. Blake Michael Studer with Highest HonorsDr. Shruthi Vinayaga SubramaniamDr. Anita Meenakshi SubramanianDr. Christina SugirtharajDr. Mark Fru SullendefruDr. Khurram Karim SuraniDr. Chetana Suresh
Degree Candidates | Doctor of Medicine13
Dr. Shadi SwaidaniDr. Ganesh Subrahmanya SwamyDr. Sean Walter SwerdanDr. Semeon Bruke Tadesse with
Highest HonorsDr. Ronak Harish TailorDr. Isaac Olabode TaiwoDr. Steven TanDr. Gokhan Emre TaskaleDr. Brian Austin TaylorDr. Jaquellah L TaylorDr. Asa Ali ThompsonDr. Aprylle Mesha-Gail ThompsonDr. Ryan ThompsonDr. Georgina Alejandra Toledo with
Highest HonorsDr. Ly Thao TonDr. Adrian Rivera TorbelaDr. Ivonne Marie Torres BaezDr. Tyler J TorricoDr. Phong T TranDr. Nafissatou TraoreDr. Nguwah TunDr. Priscilla TutuDr. Priyana TweetDr. Sayam Fawad UddinDr. Virginia Amanda UlloaDr. Maxwell J UschukDr. Samuel Chukwumdike Uzosike
with HonorsDr. Marcos Eduardo Valentin with
Highest HonorsDr. Grace Kelly VallejoDr. Amy VanDr. Tyler Vanadurongvan with Highest HonorsDr. Matthew Nishan VartanianDr. Larry Jovan VazquezDr. Shamili Krishna VemulapalliDr. Denisse Viamonte with Highest HonorsDr. Erika VigandtDr. Nilesh Karam Vir Virmani with Honors
Dr. Alyssa Marie VitaleDr. Samantha VouyiouklisDr. Quan Minh VuDr. Chiraag Rajesh VyasDr. Natasha Vyas with High HonorsDr. Samira Hina WaheedDr. Ato Tafarra WallaceDr. Huijuan Wang with Highest HonorsDr. Ashley Renay WayDr. Andrew Frank Westfall with Highest HonorsDr. Sandra Apeksha WijekularatneDr. Edward Lee WilliamsDr. Stainley WilliamsDr. Whitney Nicole WilliamsDr. Whitney Denise WillsDr. Christian Heinrich WirtzDr. Nashua WisdomDr. Christopher Martin Woodard with
Highest HonorsDr. Andrea Zijing WuDr. Gregory WuDr. Cheng Ying Wu with High HonorsDr. Hsiang-yi WuDr. Ornogeah Wurah with High HonorsDr. Arpita Singh YadavDr. Ziran YangDr. Mehdi YavariDr. Majid YavariDr. Fiteh Kinde YelekalDr. Yunjoo YimDr. Michael S. YouDr. Kate Ingrid YoungDr. Andrew Vincent Yurkonis with
Highest HonorsDr. Anisha ZamanDr. Zachary Daniel ZarzourDr. Yanling ZhengDr. Nothando ZibanayiDr. Sarah Marie ZitoDr. Julia Zorko
Degree Candidates | Doctor of Medicine 14
The 2020 Commencement Ceremony Program was printed prior to the clearance of all eligible graduates. The Honors distinction has therefore only been noted for graduates who were cleared prior to Friday, May 1, 2020. Students cleared on, or after Friday, May 1, 2020 may participate in the 2020 Commencement Ceremony without the Honors distinction noted. However, the Honors distinction should be noted for these students in the 2021 Commencement Ceremony, should they qualify for it.
Student Commencement Speaker
RidaJamal,MD’20Surviving Hurricane Maria and a semester at sea, Rida Jamal, MD’20, is well armed to share her perspective of life at Ross University School of Medicine to her graduating class in mid-May. “It is truly an honor. I feel like our journey is so unique – the hurricane, studying on a ship and then being thrust into rotations – it will be fun to retell.”
Experiences on the Caribbean island of Dominica and working a rotation in New York when COVID-19 hit will give Rida the edge needed to begin her internal medicine residency in the intensive care unit at Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit, in July.
“I was in a pathology rotation when COVID began so I didn’t have any direct patient contact,” Rida said, describing the temperament shift during her last two weeks. “There was a lot of fear because of the uncertainty.”
But now that she’s no longer a student, the front-line view has changed. “I am excited to put my knowledge and skills to use even though starting residency during a global pandemic is not an ideal situation for learning. Still, I can’t wait to provide even a little relief to all the physicians who have been fighting tirelessly thus far.”
Born in Pakistan and immigrating to Canada with her family as a toddler, the avid hiker and fiction reader wasn’t sure of her career path. “Being a doctor was always in the back of my mind,” especially when she recounted the stories from her mom who practiced medicine in Pakistan. “I liked science and helping people and it became the perfect fit – the best of both worlds.”
Rida spent her first rotation in internal medicine and was immediately hooked, using it as the measuring bar for all other specialties. “You’re a bit of a detective – you have a problem you’re trying to solve and I appreciate the diagnostic approach behind it.”
The second oldest of five children in her family, Rida said working clinicals was better than she ever imagined. “Each patient interaction is so unique and can change a person’s life. To see it play out is great – it’s all your hard work coming to fruition.”
Over the last couple years, Rida has had some memorable patient connections. One teenage patient was deemed noncompliant with medications because of her age and immaturity. But Rida had a hunch there might be more to the diagnosis so she investigated further and ended up being right. “Sometimes you have to think outside the box. It was so gratifying to be that missing link.”
During Rida’s obstetrics rotation, she became the emotional support for a young woman in labor who came to the hospital alone. Over two shifts, Rida stood by her through labor and then performed the newborn check-up. “It was such a personal experience. To be a complete stranger 24 hours before and then to be part of one of the most important, intimate and memorable experiences of her life… that feeling is unparalleled. That’s what I was talking about – that amazing patient connection.”
15
A blue and green cord worn over the neck is recognition of a recipient who has
shown academic achievement and a dedicated desire to succeed. The cords
represent commitment and perseverance in overcoming obstacles on the
path to completing their degree. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 or
higher must have been maintained to receive this scholarship award. The
Empower Scholarship Fund Board of Directors and donors send their sincere
congratulations to these remarkable graduates, and wish them continued
success in their future endeavors.
The Empower Scholarship Fund is a 501(c)(3) charity that works in concert with Ross University School of Medicine but as a separate entity supporting student success.
Dr. Abdulla Alobaidi with High Honors
Dr. Ryan Anderson
Dr. Anna Axentiev
Dr. Sameera Baig with High Honors
Dr. Kirandeep Bains
Dr. Devin Scott Caugh
Dr. Mark Dedvukaj with Honors
Dr. Peter Egwom
Dr. Letty Elengical
Dr. Daniel Fadare
Dr. Savannah Milan Dewames Gowan
Dr. Erik Thomas Keim with Highest Honors
Dr. Kongmany Luangrath with Highest Honors
Dr. Peter De Mola
Dr. Victoria Odeleye with Highest Honors
Dr. Caleb Phillips
Dr. Meagan Powers
Dr. Kush Purohit
Dr. Armein Rahimpour
Dr. Jessica Stephens
Dr. Semeon Tadesse
Dr. Donna Zarandi with Highest Honors
Empower Scholarship Fund Award
16
Our Missionis to prepare highly
dedicated students to become competent and caring physicians.
©2020 Ross University School of Medicine. All rights reserved.
Tag us to share your Commencement memories.
#RUSM
Like us on Facebook or YouTube to access the CommencementLivestream.
LIVE
