New Graduates Set to Embark on Careers in Health Professions

By 
Joe Lang

 

Nearly 190 Pacific University College of Health Professions degree candidates took part in the university's summer commencement exercises on Saturday, Aug. 9 to the delight of professors, friends and family members.

A slight breeze and shade from towering oak and fir trees tempered bright sunshine to provide ideal conditions for the several hundred supporters on hand for the mid-morning ceremony.

Following are the number of participants and the award winners by school:

School of Professional Psychology
Doctor of Psychology - 43

  • Outstanding Practitioner-Scholar Award - Ainara Echanove
  • Community Service Award - Adrian Sanchez 
  • Dean's Award: Excellence in Dissertation Research - Lynette Hamilton
  • Alumni Association Outstanding Graduate - Ross Bartlett

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology - 29

  • Outstanding Practitioner-Scholar Award - Elizabeth Cloud, Marie-Louise Russell
  • Alumni Association Outstanding Graduate - Sean Clark

Master of Clinical Psychology - 18

School of Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies - 43

  • Academic Excellence Award - Gabrielle Gonzales
  • Clinical Excellence Award - Tyler Ogden
  • Alumni Association Outstanding Graduate - Jason Olson

School of Dental Health Science
Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene - 32

  • Director's Award - Tulsi Patel
  • Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals STAR Award - Paula Byun
  • American Association of Public Health Dentistry Recognition Award for Achievement in Community Dentistry & Dental Public Health - Alison Noble
  • Hu-Friedy Golden Scaler Award - Alma Vera
  • Dr. Gaither Johnson Preventive Oral Health Care Award - Marrissa Kaili-Frank
  • Oregon Dental Hygienists' Association Future Leader Award - Sally Wiedeman
  • Restorative Dentistry Award - Kelsey Mitchell
  • Sigma Phi Alpha National Honor Society Membership Award - Brittany Colwell, Kimberly Knaupp, Tulsi Patel, Kimberly Ralston.
  • Alumni Association Outstanding Graduate - Britta Riley

School of Healthcare Administration & Leadership
Master of Healthcare Administration - 17

  • Academic Achievement - Nicole Aaltonen
  • Capstone Achievement Award - Kyle Johnstone
  • Contribution to MHA Program Award - Sue Xiong
  • Contribution to the Professional Community - Joshua Cobb
  • Professional Development - Melissa Nelson
  • Alumni Association Outstanding Graduate - Kristen Mathis
Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014