More than 100 graduate from School of Health Professions
By Lin Lofley
The UT Southwestern School of Health Professions graduated more than 100 students at its annual commencement exercise, held Dec. 7, 2014 in the Tom and Lula Gooch Auditorium.
Dr. David Russell, Vice Provost and Dean of Basic Research for the Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, conferred degrees or certificates to the 118 graduates who completed their studies during the 2014 calendar year.
Dr. Raul Caetano presided over the event, his final commencement as Dean of the School of Health Professions before his retirement.
School of Health Professions alumnus Dr. Raymond Devanna, a Dallas physical therapist, offered opening remarks for the packed Gooch Auditorium gathering. Dr. Kim Hoggatt Krumwiede, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Educational Technology, presented program descriptions and recognized department chairs.
Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, a 1988 graduate of UT Southwestern Medical School and now Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the American Heart Association (AHA), delivered the commencement address and spoke warmly of his memories of medical school, and about the mission of the AHA.
He also offered a tribute to the late Dr. Ron Anderson, longtime CEO of Parkland Health & Hospital System, who passed away in September 2014. Recalling the words of Dr. Albert Schweitzer – “At times our own light goes out, and is rekindled by a spark from another person” – he spoke of how Dr. Anderson had “lit many a flame.”
Dr. Sanchez dedicated his remarks to Dr. Anderson, “a teacher, mentor, leader, and colleague,” and offered three examples to follow.
“Dream big,” Dr. Sanchez said. “Do extraordinary things. Make a difference.”
Marshals for the event were Jacqueline Adolph, Instructor of Health Care Sciences, and Dr. Edward Mulligan, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy and Orthopaedic Surgery.
###
Dr. Russell holds the Eugene McDermott Distinguished Chair in Molecular Genetics.
