College of Dental Medicine-Illinois 2020 Commencement
Midwestern University Tomorrow’s Healthcare Team
College of Dental Medicine–Illinois 2020 Commencement
Midwestern University • Downers Grove Campus Friday, the Twenty-Second of May, Two Thousand and Twenty
1 Officers and Administrators of Midwestern University
Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D. President and Chief Executive Officer
Gregory J. Gaus Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Joshua C. Baker, O.D., M.S. Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, Optometry, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Education
Theresa Welch Fossum, D.V.M., M.S., Ph.D., DACVS Vice President of Research and Strategic Initiatives
Karen D. Johnson, Ph.D. Vice President, University Relations
Mary W.L. Lee, Pharm.D., BCPS, FCCP Vice President, Special Assistant to the President
Dean P. Malone, M.B.A. Vice President, Finance
Angela L. Marty, M.A., PHR Vice President, Human Resources and Administration
Barbara L. McCloud, J.D., M.B.A. Vice President and General Counsel
Dennis J. Paulson, Ph.D. Retiring Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, Medical, Dental, and Veterinary Education
Kathleen N. Player, Ed.D., M.S.N., M.B.A., M.S.C. Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, Medical and Health Sciences Education, and Vice President, Clinic Operations
Kyle H. Ramsey, Ph.D. Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, Dental and Graduate Studies Education
2 Officers and Administrators of Midwestern University
Thomas A. Boyle, D.O., M.B.A., FACOEP, FACEP Dean, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Mitchell R. Emerson, Ph.D. Dean, Chicago College of Pharmacy and Dean, College of Pharmacy-Glendale
Alicia E. Feis, O.D. Dean, Arizona College of Optometry
Thomas K. Graves, D.V.M., Ph.D., DACVIM Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine
Harold J. Haering Jr., D.M.D. Dean, College of Dental Medicine–Illinois
Lori A. Kemper, D.O., M.S., FACOFP Dean, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Ross J. Kosinski, Ph.D. Dean of Students and Director of Community Outreach, Downers Grove and Glendale Campuses
Fred D. Romano, Ph.D., FASAHP Dean, College of Health Sciences, Downers Grove Campus
Jacquelyn M. Smith, Ph.D. Dean, College of Health Sciences, Glendale Campus
P. Bradford Smith, D.D.S. Dean, College of Dental Medicine–Arizona
Melissa A. Suckow, O.D., FAAO Dean, Chicago College of Optometry
Yir Gloria Yueh, Ph.D. Dean, College of Graduate Studies, Downers Grove and Glendale Campuses
3 Please share your family hooding photos, and well wishes to your class at the following Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CDMICommencement2020/ #CDMIGrad2020 #MWUGrad2020
4 Order of Ceremony
Opening Music Pomp and Circumstance by E. Elgar
Welcome Address Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D. President and Chief Executive Officer
Oath of a Dentist Harold J. Haering Jr., D.M.D. Dean, College of Dental Medicine–Illinois
Presentation of Graduates Dr. Haering
Conferral of Degrees Dr. Goeppinger
Announcement of Names Kevin Van Kanegan, D.D.S., M.P.H.E. Director, Preclinical Faculty
President’s Presentation of Midwestern University Coin Honoring Our Military Graduates
Student Remarks Nicholas Branham Class of 2020 President
Closing Remarks Dr. Goeppinger
Benediction Dr. Goeppinger
Please share your family hooding photos, and well wishes to your class at the following Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CDMICommencement2020/ #CDMIGrad2020 #MWUGrad2020
5 College of Dental Medicine - Illinois Class of 2020
Doctor of Dental Medicine Class of 2020
Nicolette Abate Julissa Burgos Washington Twp, MI Boynton Beach, FL
Taylor Abbott Stacy Caldwell Bloomfield Hills, MI Terre Haute, IN
Ryan Adams Christina Cardenas Watkinsville, GA Indianapolis, IN
Haneen Afaneh Mitch Carpenter-Thompson Flint, MI Lake City, MI
Hussien Ahmad Rhett Cater Chicago, IL Lombard, IL
Juma Al Jariri Yuen Ting Chan Locust Grove, VA Burlingame, CA
Jamila Aladin Sean Chechang Lombard, IL Wheeling, IL
Adil Ali Hannah Cho Glenview, IL Fonthill, ON
Aaleeyah Alim Wooyoung Choi Miami, FL Los Angeles, CA
Anissa Anast Jonathan Colucci Elmwood Park, IL Carol Stream, IL
Ryan Arima Michael Cosmos Valencia, CA Naperville, IL
Bhupinder Bahia Ashley M. Culver Hughson, CA San Antonio, Texas
Umaima Bharmal Ryan Davis The Woodlands, TX Houston, TX
Yousif Bolus Natalie Do Sterling Heights, MI Fountain Valley, CA
Nicholas Branham Ramsey El Benni St. Louis, MO McAllen, TX
Nicole Bundy Amin Elsaeed Flushing, MI Chicago Ridge, IL
6 Midwestern University Downers Grove, Illinois
Francisco Enverga Marya Ijaz Chino Hills, CA Springfield, VA
Julissa Burgos Dulguun Erdenebileg Paul Ingles Boynton Beach, FL Los Angeles, CA Port Huron, MI
Stacy Caldwell Amy Fedeson Shilpa Joshi Terre Haute, IN Belmont, MI Wheaton, IL
Christina Cardenas Tyler Flynn Amrit Kapil Indianapolis, IN Mackinaw, IL San Jose, CA
Mitch Carpenter-Thompson Alexandra Fushi Negah Karimpour Talebi Lake City, MI Glenview, IL San Francisco, CA
Rhett Cater Colby Gerth Maliha Khan Lombard, IL Dieterich, IL Chicago, IL
Yuen Ting Chan Miguel Guzman Usamah Khan Burlingame, CA Naples, FL Lombard, IL
Sean Chechang Renee Habbal Zoha Khatoon Wheeling, IL Palos Heights, IL Blaine, MN
Hannah Cho Sarah Hamad Sean Killpack Fonthill, ON Oak Brook, IL Poplar Bluff, MO
Wooyoung Choi Jin Han Natalie Kirkman Los Angeles, CA Chicago, IL Summerfield, NC
Jonathan Colucci Brandon Hanna Caitlin Kompanowski Carol Stream, IL Oakland Township, MI Arlington Heights, IL
Michael Cosmos Ahmad Hasan Candace Kountz Naperville, IL Orland Park, IL Seattle, WA
Ashley M. Culver Kevin Hathorne Ashley Lau San Antonio, Texas Ann Arbor, MI Danville, CA
Ryan Davis Lauren Herba Landon Leavitt Houston, TX Crystal Lake, IL Cardston, AB
Natalie Do Marissa Hilliard Shiting Liao Fountain Valley, CA Fruitport, MI Hayward, CA
Ramsey El Benni Anh Ho Jeffrey Ly McAllen, TX Lombard, IL San Jose, CA
Amin Elsaeed Shahvar Hussain Nardeen Malak Chicago Ridge, IL Skokie, IL Orange County, CA
7 College of Dental Medicine - Illinois Class of 2020
Faisal Malik Steven Owczaruk Algonquin, IL Naperville, IL
Morgan McCall Oriana Pacheco Oak Park, IL Miami, FL
Blegina Miraka Krizia Venice Pallarca Warren, MI Niles, IL
Seyed Mirzamani Krina Patel Chicago, IL Albany, GA
Jeffrey Misner Rajan Patel Boise, ID Oklahoma City, OK
David Monin George Paul Albany, NY Farmington Hills, MI
Naznoush Motahari Susan Plager Houston, TX Palatine, IL
Zachary Murphy Erica Pollaccia Columbus, GA Macomb Township, MI
Alexandria Newton Elizabeth Potee Whitesboro, NY Noblesville, IN
Andrew Nguyen Patrycja Radon Houston, TX Norridge, IL
Ashley Nguyen Rita Dee Raffoul Liverpool, NY Tampa, FL
Lisa Nguyen Inas Rahima Atlanta, GA Orland Park, IL
Ngoc Nguyen Safa Rashid Springfield, VA Ramallah, West Bank
Umair Niazi Meghan Reilly Bloomfield Hills, MI Woodbury, MN
Linora Nissan Manuel Rodriguez Morton Grove, IL Tucson, A Z
Shayan Nizami Alexander Rud Plano, TX Lakeville, MN
Mollie Norton Jaime Ruiz Jr. Monroe, WI Orlando, FL
8 9 Midwestern University Downers Grove, Illinois
Steven Owczaruk Mahmoud Salameh Lorena Valenti Naperville, IL Orland Hills, IL Wellington, FL
Oriana Pacheco Christine Sarmiento Daniel Veerkamp Miami, FL San Francisco, CA Fort Wayne, IN
Krizia Venice Pallarca Nihar Shah Christopher Villaflor Niles, IL Lindenhurst, IL Glenview, IL
Krina Patel Ahmed Shareef Geoffrey Whitney Albany, GA Woodridge, IL Huron, SD
Rajan Patel Priyanka Sikka Jay Wickersham Oklahoma City, OK Rhinelander, WI Tampa, FL
George Paul Tatiana Skylar Morgan Williams Farmington Hills, MI Deerfield, IL Danville, VA
Susan Plager Jack Snow Christopher Woodard Palatine, IL Springfield, MO Spokane, WA
Erica Pollaccia Daniel Spencer Christie Wright Macomb Township, MI Frankfort, IL Garner, NC
Elizabeth Potee Nicolette Spencer Anthony Yaldo Noblesville, IN Naperville, IL West Bloomfield, MI
Patrycja Radon Reama Srour Kayla Yip Norridge, IL Bridgeview, IL Edmonton, Canada
Rita Dee Raffoul Saba Tareen Jardin Yousef Tampa, FL Colleyville, TX Mount Prospect, IL
Inas Rahima Riley Teuscher Paldin Yousef Orland Park, IL Elburn, IL Mount Prospect, IL
Safa Rashid Amy Tils Melissa Yousefi Ramandi Ramallah, West Bank Chico, TX Zurich, Switzerland
Meghan Reilly Michael James Toledo Omran Zarou Woodbury, MN Jacksonville, FL Hebron, Palestine, West Bank
Manuel Rodriguez Yousif Tolla Tucson, A Z West Bloomfield, MI
Alexander Rud Tyler Tran Lakeville, MN Plainwell, MI
Jaime Ruiz Jr. Howard Tsoi Orlando, FL Mountain View, CA
9 College of Dental Medicine - Illinois Class of 2020
Oath of a Dentist
As I continue my career in dental medicine, I pledge to abide by the following precepts: I understand and accept that my primary responsibility is to my patients and I shall dedicate myself to render, to the best of my ability, the highest standard of oral healthcare. All who seek my assistance should feel safe and be confident in the knowledge that their total health and well-being are my first considerations. I will embrace scientific knowledge, as I continue to expand my experience and skills in dentistry. I will engage only in those procedures for which I am prepared, in order to maintain the trust expected of a healthcare professional and I will never take advantage of the patient-provider relationship. I will respect the patient’s right to privacy and I will embrace the diversity of my patients and my colleagues and treat all people with respect, for the betterment of my community and for the benefit of all society. I will recognize my weaknesses and strengths and strive to develop those qualities that are expected of me by my patients, my colleagues, my family and myself. I will continue this learning through all the days of my life. All this, I pledge with pride in my commitment to the profession and the public which it serves.
10 Academic Regalia and Processional Gown The gown is the cornerstone of the academic costume that has its origins in 12th and 13th century Europe, a period when universities were being formed. Today, Midwestern University follows guidelines established by the American Council on Education. All graduates wear black gowns, with the front panels of the doctoral gown trimmed in black velvet. Each sleeve of the doctoral gown is adorned with three bars of black velvet with bell-shaped wrist ends. The master’s gown is unadorned, with the wrist ends of the sleeve open oblongs that extend beyond the hand.
Chicago College of College of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine–Illinois Osteopathic Medicine Occupational Therapy Program Discipline Color: Lilac Discipline Color: Kelly Green Discipline Color: Sage Green Liner Color: Navy Liner Color: Black Liner Color: Navy Chevron Color: Gold Chevron Color: Gold Chevron Color: Gold Chicago College of Optometry Chicago College of Pharmacy College of Health Sciences Discipline Color: Seafoam Discipline Color: Olive Clinical Psychology Program Liner Color: Navy Liner Color: Light Purple Discipline Color: Gold Chevron Color: Gold Chevron Color: White Liner Color: Navy Chevron Color: Gold College of Graduate Studies College of Health Sciences Biomedical Sciences Program Physician Assistant Program College of Health Sciences Discipline Color: Gold Discipline Color: Gold Speech-Language Pathology Program Liner Color: Navy Liner Color: Navy Discipline Color: Crimson Chevron Color: Gold Chevron Color: Gold Liner Color: Navy Chevron Color: Gold College of Health Sciences Physical Therapy Program Discipline Color: Teal Blue Liner Color: Navy Chevron Color: Gold
Presidential Medallion The official symbol of authority of the office of the President of Midwestern University is the presidential medallion. Worn around the neck of the President at all University commencements, the medallion, imprinted with the University seal, is attached to a chain of office featuring tiles with the names of all nine leaders of MWU and its Founding College. The 24-karat gold-plated medallion and its chain were originally crafted in 1988 for the inauguration of the first President of the newly established Midwestern University. A new medallion was crafted in 1995 for the inauguration of Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D., the ninth University President, featuring the seal of Midwestern University on the obverse. In 2003, a new University seal was created, which still retains elements of the 1995 redesign, namely, the Bell Tower, representing the focal point of the Downers Grove Campus; the Staff of Asclepius, the symbol of the medical profession; Trees, symbols of learning with branches representing the many educational opportunities available at MWU; and the Date of 1900, the year the first college of the University was founded. Engraved on the nine golden tiles that comprise the 36-inch chain are the names of the current President and her eight notable predecessors.
Midwestern University Coins A custom minted coin is a military tradition to recognize achievement, create incentive, improve safety, or show appreciation for duty, dedication, or a job well done. Midwestern University proudly presents graduates who are in the military or entering the military following graduation with a coin to honor their service to our country.
11 History of Midwestern University
Midwestern University has a proud and impressive history. Founded in 1900 as the American College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery by J. Martin Littlejohn, Ph.D., D.O., M.D. (1865–1947), the organization was incorporated in Chicago, Illinois, to train physicians in a not-for-profit environment.
Dr. Littlejohn hired talented faculty that enabled the College to establish a reputation as a leader in medical education, research, and clinical practice. The early faculty mentored their students in the art and science of osteopathic medicine while teaching surgery, the principles and practices of osteopathic medicine, anatomy, and basic science.
The growth of the osteopathic college is intertwined with that of the osteopathic medical profession itself. Ever since 1874 when a country doctor, Andrew Taylor Still, announced his new theory of treating patients and began the first college in 1892, the profession has grown in reputation and acceptance around the country and international settings.
The Downers Grove Campus was purchased in 1986, and the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine moved from its prior home in Hyde Park, Illinois, to this western suburb of Illinois. Following the relocation of the College, the Board of Trustees voted to begin the development of new academic programs within the health sciences. The Chicago College of Pharmacy began in 1991, and the College of Health Sciences began in 1992. In 1993, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved a single educational mission for the institution, and Midwestern University emerged. In 2009, the College of Dental Medicine–Illinois began. In 2014, the Chicago College of Optometry was founded, and in 2018, the College of Graduate Studies began. The Downers Grove Campus, located on 105 acres, has buildings that include academic classrooms, laboratories, a state-of-the-art library and auditorium building, and student housing. The Midwestern University Multispecialty Clinic was established in 2013 and includes the Dental Institute, a Family Medicine Practice, the Speech-Language Institute, the Physical Therapy Institute, the Eye Institute, and other health services designed to meet a wide range of healthcare needs.
The Glendale Campus was established in 1995 when the Board of Trustees approved the purchase of land and the building of a new campus in Arizona. The Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine was founded in 1995, the College of Health Sciences in 1996, the College of Pharmacy–Glendale in 1998, the College of Dental Medicine–Arizona in 2006, the Arizona College of Optometry in 2008, the College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012, and the College of Graduate Studies in 2018. The campus has seen rapid growth in the number of buildings, academic programs, faculty, staff, and students. The Glendale Campus, located on 156 acres, has buildings that provide for academic classrooms, state-of-the-art laboratories, and student housing. Five Midwestern University Clinics provide quality care for the community: the Multispecialty Clinic, which opened in 2007; the Dental Institute and the Eye Institute, which opened in 2010; the Animal Health Institute—comprised of the Companion Animal Clinic (opened 2014), Equine and Bovine Center (opened 2015), and Diagnostic Pathology Center (opened 2016); and the Therapy Institute, which opened in 2020.
Midwestern University is still governed by the strong principles of the founding administration and faculty. An independent, not-for-profit corporation organized primarily to provide graduate and postgraduate education in the health sciences, the University is dedicated to the education and development of its students, faculty, and staff in an environment that encourages learning and personal development.
12 13 Midwestern University Tomorrow’s Healthcare Team Downers Grove Campus 555 31st Street | Downers Grove, IL 60515 www.midwestern.edu