2021 SHP commencement

Published on: December 21, 2021 By: Samantha Pruser

Master of Clinical Nutrition graduate Daileen Rodriguez (center), with Tad Campbell, M.C.N., RDN, LD, Instructor of Clinical Nutrition (left), and Lona Sandon, Ph.D., RDN, LD, Associate Professor of Clinical Nutrition

Congratulations to the School of Health Professions’ 2021 graduates. The commencement ceremony, held Dec. 12, marked the school’s first class to graduate in person since the pandemic began. Access highlights from the ceremony in the photo gallery below.

The UT Southwestern School of Health Professions has more than 50 years of experience in educating students for careers in health care. Part of UT Southwestern – one of the nation’s premier academic medical centers – the School of Health Professions provides students with a highly distinguished faculty, top-tier facilities, and dynamic training methods across five program tracks. Students enjoy a 100% employment rate within six months of graduation. Over 88% of faculty members are practicing care providers. Of the programs, UT Southwestern’s Physician Assistant Program was ranked #7 in U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Graduate Schools 2020.”

Prospective students are encouraged to learn more about the School of Health Professions and can access a virtual tour of the UT Southwestern campus.

Select an image to begin the slideshow.

Master of Physician Assistant Studies graduate Stephanie Powdar (center) with her parents

Master of Prosthetics-Orthotics graduates Ashton Blasingim (first row, second from left) and Ariel Fortenberry (first row, second from right) and their families

Taking a selfie: Veronica Coleman, M.P.A.S., PA-C, Assistant Professor/Director of Admissions for Physician Assistant Studies

Karen Brewer-Mixon, Ph.D., CRC, Associate Professor, Applied Clinical Research (left); graduate Chung Lin Kew, Ph.D., Applied Clinical Research (center); and Shannon Juengst, Ph.D.

Front row (l-r): Suzette Smith, Director, Office of Student Life, Bryan Williams, M.D. Student Center; Kim Hoggatt Krumwiede, Ph.D., M.A., Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, School of Health Professions; and Megan Sellers, Program Coordinator for Student Affairs and Digital Marketing, School of Health Professions. Back row: Geoffrey Grabow, Manager, Dean’s Office, School of Health Professions

UT Southwestern and School of Health Professions leaders come together after the commencement ceremony.

Cameron Ward (left), Tim Williamson (center), and Pooja Venkatesh of Student Life welcome and assist guests in finding their seats prior to the ceremony.

Gordon Green, M.D., previous Dean of the School of Health Professions

W. P. Andrew Lee, M.D., Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Provost, and Dean of UT Southwestern Medical School (left), and Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D., President of UT Southwestern

Jon Williamson, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Health Professions, delivers welcome remarks.

Carolyn Bradley-Guidry, Dr.PH., M.P.A.S., PA-C, Assistant Dean for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Affairs and Associate Professor of Physician Assistant Studies

Eric Peterson, M.D., M.P.H., Vice Provost and Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Research at UT Southwestern, delivers the commencement address.

Brittany Nicole Wright (left) and Chung Lin Kew wait to cross the stage to receive their Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate Susie Kim

Sarah Meng (left) and Yinying Wei, Master of Clinical Nutrition graduates

Doctor of Physical Therapy graduates (l-r): Shana John, Shraddha Bista, Shivani Patel, and Tricia Interino

16. Doctor of Physical Therapy graduates Madison Boule (left) and Maghan Martz

Monica Yousef, Master of Physician Assistant Studies graduate, and her sister

Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate Alex Wiebold and his family

Alexandra Harris (left) and Victoria Gonzalez, Master of Physician Assistant Studies graduates

Shraddha Bista (left) and Tricia Interino, Doctor of Physical Therapy graduates

Master of Physician Assistant Studies graduates (l-r): Nawal Suleman, Cameron Orme, and Niveen Joulani

Master of Physician Assistant Studies graduate Kavia Gupta and her family