Graduates in the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2020 were urged to embrace their journey and show compassion in their work during the program's Commencement ceremony on Feb. 29.
The Elon Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program celebrated the Class of 2020 for its two years of hard work and dedication to providing exceptional care to patients during the program’s Commencement ceremony on Feb. 29.
The 36 members of the graduating class were honored in front of an audience of friends and family inside Whitley Auditorium as each received academic hoods and diplomas from Dean of the School of Health Sciences Becky Neiduski and Elon President Connie Ledoux Book. Each hood donned the colors Kelly green, to represent the field of physician assistant studies, and maroon and gold, signifying the group’s Elon education.
The Elon PA program, housed in the School of Health Sciences, is a 24-month, full-time program that aims to prepare graduates to think critically and act skillfully to meet expanding health care needs in local and global communities. Elon PA curriculum is based on active learning strategies through collaborative work with Elon’s faculty, scholars and practitioners in the field. Students emerge from the program ready to employ the most current knowledge to care for patients’ physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs.
Graduates heard a Commencement address from Valerie A. Leschber, chief medical information officer at Cone Health and medical director of Elon’s Department of Physician Assistant Studies, who spoke to the newly designated physician assistants about “why today matters.”
“How will you remember the honor of this day – your graduation from PA school,” Leschber asked. “This is the day you earned the right to be a prescriber, a healer, a unique medical professional in this complex and ever-changing world of American health care.”
Leschber told graduates about the importance of relying on teamwork and not fearing failure. She also reminded the class to take time to talk to patients and show them compassion in an age of medicine where technology is constantly changing the way medical professionals interact with the people for whom they provide care.
“I want you to know one element of care that machine learning and artificial intelligence will never replace is your ability to provide empathetic care,” Leschber said. “Be human and listen to what is unsaid, as well as what is spoken aloud, and show compassion and demonstrate respect in addition to practicing clinical excellence during your interactions with others.”
During the Commencement ceremony, five graduates – Caroline Cheek, Caroline McBane, Hayley Swatzel, Kelsey Thomas and Hunter Vila – were honored for their induction into the Pi Alpha Honor Society, the national honor society for the physician assistant profession. Dr. Yun Boylston was also announced as an honorary inductee into the society. The Pi Alpha Honor Society recognizes students who have achieved a 3.5 GPA and possess a high standard of conduct and character. Only 15 percent of each graduating class is eligible for membership in the society.
The inductees represented the Class of 2020’s passion for excellence as each graduate prepares to apply their years of work and education to their future careers in hopes of providing the best possible care to patients around the globe.
“Be proud, be inspired and be authentic,” Leschber told the graduates. “Your world and your patients expect nothing less of you.”
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2020
Meredith Abernethy – B.S., North Carolina State University
Taylor Alexandra Babin – B.S., Sacred Heart University
Maria Andreyevna Belaya – B.S., College of William & Mary
Morgan Elise Bestenlehner – B.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison/M.S., Illinois State University
Brianna Marie Henson Brooks – B.S., North Carolina State University
Blaine Kenfield Brown – B.S., Bates College
Beatriz Elena Bustamante – B.S., University of Central Florida
Caroline Baldwin Cheek*† – B.S. Wake Forest University
Samantha Ann Couillard – B.S., Boston College
Shannon DeFillipo – B.S., Clemson University
Travis Andrew Ford – B.S., University of South Carolina
Cadence Hilary Furth – B.S., New Mexico State University
Garrett Lee Green – B.S., Elon University
Kristin Hancock – B.S., University of Central Oklahoma/M.S., University of Central Oklahoma
Melissa Anne Haug – B.A., The College of Wooster
Priscilla Helen Haug – B.A., The College of Wooster
Candice Ann Hayes – B.A., North Carolina State University
Deeyon Fraser Kamtarin – B.A., Capital University
Jennifer Rose Baker Koebert – B.S., University of Florida/M.P.H., University of Florida
Naomi Penelope Sorenson Landry – B.S., Utah State University
Alice Bartram Maddux – B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Evelyn Liszeth Martinez – B.S., South Carolina State University
Caroline Nelson McBane*† – B.S., North Carolina State University
Canaan Mekonnen – B.S., North Carolina State University
Rebecca Lee West Mitchell – B.A., The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Robert George Nelson – B.S., North Carolina State University
Kevin Dathien Nguyen – B.S., University of California-Davis
Bashia Sheila Oudmayer – B.S., Elon University
Matthew James Scheeler – B.S., College of Charleston
Hayley Elizabeth Swatzel*† – B.S., Furman University
Jo-Ku Teng – B.S., University of Connecticut
Kelsey Elyce Thomas*† – B.S., Michigan State University
Hunter Rae Vila* – B.S., Florida State University
Destiny Deonna Walters – B.S., Winston-Salem State University
Max E. Wilmot – B.A., Georgia State University
Johanna Christine Young – B.S., The University of North Carolina at Charlotte/MBA, Campbell University
*Pi Alpha Honor Society
† Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society