Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine 2021 Commencement
Midwestern University Tomorrow’s Healthcare Team
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine 2021 Commencement
Midwestern University • Downers Grove Campus Friday, the Twenty-Eighth of May, Two Thousand and Twenty-One
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
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
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, College of Pharmacy Downers Grove and Glendale Campuses
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
Jeffrey L. Jensen, D.P.M., FACFAS Dean, Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine
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 Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2021
Order of Ceremony
Opening Music Pomp and Circumstance by E. Elgar
Welcome Address Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D. President and Chief Executive Officer
The Osteopathic Oath Thomas A. Boyle, D.O., M.B.A., FACOEP, FACEP Dean, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Presentation of Graduates Dr. Boyle
Conferral of Degrees Dr. Goeppinger
Announcement of Graduates William J. Moran, D.O. Associate Dean for Clinical Education
Honoring Our Military Graduates
Student Remarks Brendan O’Sullivan Class of 2021 Valedictorian
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/CCOMCommencement2021/ #CCOMGrad2021 #MWUGrad2021
4 Midwestern University Downers Grove, Illinois
Order of Ceremony Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2021
Opening Music Vincent Allen Abejuela Dipavo Banerjee Alyssa Cheng Pomp and Circumstance by E. Elgar Gurnee, IL Fremont, CA West Lafayette, IN
Welcome Address Eric Abshire Charbel Tony Barrak Tiefu Cheng Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D. Phoenix, AZ Detroit, MI Fremont, CA President and Chief Executive Officer Amer Uddin Syed Ahmed Qonain Bawany Shaina Cherniak The Osteopathic Oath Des Plaines, IL Downers Grove, IL Buffalo Grove, IL Thomas A. Boyle, D.O., M.B.A., FACOEP, FACEP Dean, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Omar Bilal Yasin Akhter Shagun Berry Eric Choi Houston, TX Orland Park, IL Lexington, KY Presentation of Graduates Salman Akthar Morgan Claire Blake Brenner Elise Victoria Clark Dr. Boyle Schaumburg, IL Plainfield, IN Port Charlotte, FL
Conferral of Degrees Sareena Ali Rachel Rose Buttimer Alexandria Paige Clarke Kregor Dr. Goeppinger Skokie, IL Downers Grove, IL Bourbonnais, IL
Announcement of Graduates Sam Alsabti Claire-Marie Alcedo Canda Nicholas Corcoran William J. Moran, D.O. West Bloomfield, MI Delavan, WI Denver, CO Associate Dean for Clinical Education Rami Ramzi Alsaqri Caitlin Joyce Carter Carson Cornell Creamer Honoring Our Military Graduates Champaign, IL Manhattan, IL Maitland, FL
Douglas Ardekani Matthew Carter Evan Paul Czerwonka Student Remarks Chester Springs, PA Ames, IA Batavia, IL Brendan O’Sullivan Class of 2021 Valedictorian Alexandra Frances Arendt Eric Kwai Wang Chan Amir Qader Dada Stratford, CT Castro Valley, CA Columbus, OH Closing Remarks Dr. Goeppinger Devendra Autar Martin Eui Sun Chang Hardik Ajay Dand Toronto, Canada Toronto, Canada Naperville, IL Benediction Dr. Goeppinger Tanvir Bajwa Jr. Min Kyung Chang Erika Danelski Brookfield, WI Skokie, IL Hartford, WI
Kathryn Marie Balnius Jenny Chen Ameya Ashutosh Deshmukh Woodridge, IL Santa Clara, CA Erie, PA Please share your family hooding photos, and well wishes to your class at the following Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CCOMCommencement2021/ #CCOMGrad2021 #MWUGrad2021
5 Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2021
Sarah Mary DiBacco Areen Dafer Haddadin Milos Jovanovic Batavia, NY Chesterton, IN Orland Park, IL
Anandu Dileep Ayesha M Hasan Philip Jinwon Jung Carol Stream, IL Chicago, IL Duluth, GA
Alexander Harris Dills Seerat Hassan Karishma Kadakia Bellingham, MA Lombard, IL Barrington, IL
Mary Frances Donovan Robert Clark Haynes III George Tom Kalapurakal Northbrook, IL Exeter, NH Willowbrook, IL
Joseph Eugene Dougherty Jonathan Herbert Hill Shahab Kazi Arlington Heights, IL Rockford, IL Bolingbrook, IL
Daniel Christopher Drach Clara Dorothy Hofman Thomas Owen Kenfield-Kelleher Marshfield, WI Chicago, IL Riverside, IL
Paul Sidney Ehrlich Connor Joseph Hogan Shivani Khakhkhar Lake in the Hills, IL Kohler, WI Orland Park, IL
Samuel Isaac Engman Emma Horton Muhammad Humayun Khan Des Moines, IA Wichita, KS Chicago, IL
Josiah David Eschbach Ivy Hsieh Saad Ahmed Khan Aurora, IL Northbrook, IL Chicago, IL
Rachel Elisabeth Fennema Bridget Grace Hyland Jason Kim Moses Lake, WA Darien, IL Randolph, NJ
Sarvani Gandhavadi Graham Michael Isaacson Karlee Nicole Kirkpatrick Durham, NC Aurora, IL Los Angeles, CA
Ryan Jared Glendenning Michelle Melissa Ishaya Hannah Klebesadel Olympia, WA San Diego, CA Green Bay, WI
Michael Patrick Golden Siddharth Jain George Charles Koutras Oak Lawn, IL Lincolnwood, IL Columbus, OH
Nina Gupta Madeline Skeie Jentink Bryan Arthur Kowalkowski Naperville, IL Apple Valley, MN Mokena, IL
6 7 Midwestern University Downers Grove, Illinois
Andrew John Krueger Michael Magnuson Tanushree Nair Fairfax, VA Rockford, IL Clarendon Hills, IL
Heidi Ann Kurn Brian Andrew Makowski Zain Nayani Troy, MI Northville, MI Carol Stream, IL
Jack Edward Leal Muhammad Kasim Malik Elizabeth Doyle Nettleton Tampa, FL Murfreesboro, TN Elmhurst, IL
Christina Lee Courtney Renee Mariner Max The Nguyen Los Angeles, CA Broomfield, CO Chicago, IL
Terry James Lee III Daniel Potter Mattox Brian Nocito Queen Creek, AZ Kenosha, WI Chicago, IL
Anqi Li Maeve Caitlin McDonnell Thomas Joseph O’Brien Woburn, MA La Grange, IL Roselle, IL
Yixuan Liao Michael James McGraw Shane Patrick O’Donnell Sharon, MA Glenwood Springs, CO Westmont, IL
Killian Jon Llewellyn Katherine Metropulos Brendan Timothy O’Sullivan Perrysburg, OH Barrington, IL Downers Grove, IL
Maha Longi Jonathan Brent Miller Brent Olson Woodridge, IL Troy, MI South Beloit, IL
Glenn Arthur Lorentz Qaynat S Mithani Amish Ketan Parikh Park Ridge, IL Wilmette, IL Walnut, CA
Tianqi Luo Tina Moazezi Rishi Partha Shanghai, China Long Grove, IL Naperville, IL
Janet K. Luu Robert Mowery Keval Patel San Jose, CA Arlington Heights, IL Palm Harbor, FL
Lauren Marie Mackinnon Bianca Anne Mulaikal Kruti Patel Parrish, FL Aurora, IL Hoffman Estates, IL
Adam Benjamin Madej Sally Nahhas Neel Manish Patel Downers Grove, IL Lincolnwood, IL Springfield, IL
7 Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2021
Nisha I. Patel Melissa Anne Ptak Samrin Samad Frankfort, IL Marshfield, WI Chicago, IL
Prayag R. Patel Domenic James Pulito Leah Marie Dols Schaaf Naperville, IL Mequon, WI Preston, MN
Prem Bharat Patel Anam Rahman Bansry Ajay Shah Philadelphia, PA Northbrook, IL Northbrook, IL
Rinky Patel Sumit Kishor Rajpara Hirali Shah Naperville, IL Laurel, MD Woodridge, IL
Saurabh Patel Phillip Steven Rasnick Jay Sandip Shah Hanover Park, IL Barrington, RI Northbrook, IL
Shivam Dixit Patel Angelica Revis Usmaan Muhammad Shah Carol Stream, IL Wilmette, IL Effingham, IL
Sivangi Patel Carl Everett Rhodes Leyan Shalabi Bartlett, IL Zionsville, IN Lemont, IL
Vraj Patel Kassidy Rinehart Nabila Hoor Shamshuddin Peoria, IL Hortonville, WI Chicago, IL
Erin Pattison Dunal R. Riveland Ragav Sharma Apple Valley, MN West Linn, OR Naperville, IL
Thomas R. Pickett Tazeen Rizvi Nishitha Shekhar Chicago, IL Frisco, TX Framingham, MA
Tara Piryaei Julie Frances Rockwell Sydney Sherman Capitola, CA Middletown, MD Coal City, IL
Brett Frederick Ploussard Erris Marie Rowan Jineane Shibuya Calabasas, CA Mount Prospect, IL Honolulu, HI
Brett Edward Polan Alaina Roy Katherine Short Westmont, IL Palos Heights, IL Naperville, IL
Shmuel Tzvi Price Ashkan Salamatipour Jennifer Lin Shuey Chicago, IL Newport Beach, CA Villa Park, IL
8 Midwestern University Downers Grove, Illinois
Alyssa Rae Sipes Louis Tsichlis Trevor Kyle Wisniewski Green Bay, WI Park Ridge, IL Lake in the Hills, IL
Elizabeth Brooke Smits Mishal Uddin Colin David Wruck McFarland, WI Houston, TX Menomonee Falls, WI
Sarah Spiewak Jay Vakil Yixin Xu Rolling Meadows, IL Troy, MI Rockford, IL
Marcus Robert Stammen Adam Christopher Van Handel Gilbert Fan Xue St. Charles, IL Matawan, NJ Fulton, MD
Michael Brandon Stone Jasmine Vayalil Naila Yaseen Rockford, IL Willowbrook, IL Addison, IL
Marleta Christine Sullivan Niel Nielson Veirup Adam Lawrence Zack Chicago, IL Mokena, IL Stillwater, MN
Alex Tawa Alexander Tran Vo Zaki Zaheer Bloomfield Hills, MI Cerritos, CA Oak Brook, IL
Michael Thomas Ralf Voshtina Adam Zakkar Bridgewater, MA Aurora, IL West Bloomfield, MI
Rachael Nasralla Thorson Renee Joanna Wakulski Jaafar Zalzaleh Wheaton, IL Chicago, IL Chicago, IL
Jonathan Carl Tiemann Rebecca J. Wallig Ian Zelko Valencia, CA Urbana, IL Racine, WI
Vincent Lao Tir Sophia Liyi Wang Zachary Scott Zylstra Naperville, IL Fremont, CA Thornton, IL
Kevin Tom Jennifer Weber Morton Grove, IL Naperville, IL
Thomas Stavros Topalis Derek Conner Westman Arlington Heights, IL Saint Joseph, MI
Megan Tran Emma Corrine Williams Arlington Heights, IL Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
9 Individual Awards
Dean’s Special Commendation Award: Rachael Thorson Donna Jones Moritsugu Memorial Award: Jessica Isaacson (spouse) and Graham Isaacson (student) Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Scholar Awards: Bridget Hyland, Andrew Krueger, Leah Dols Schaaf Valedictorian: Brendan O’Sullivan
Departmental Awards
Anatomy: Michael McGraw Behavioral Medicine: Rami Alsaqri Biochemistry: Michael Stone Emergency Medicine: Rachael Thorson Family Medicine: Jennifer Shuey Internal Medicine: Muhammad Malik Microbiology and Immunology: Madeline Jentink Obstetrics/Gynecology: Ayesha Hasan and George Kalapurakal Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (Basic Science): Jennifer Shuey Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (Clinical Science): Glenn Lorentz Pediatrics: Bridget Hyland, Leah Dols Schaaf Pharmacology: Brendan O’Sullivan Physiology: Shane O’Donnell Psychiatry: Dipavo Banerjee Surgery: Ian Zelko
Faculty and Staff Recognition Awards
Basic Science Professor: Dr. Sandra Inouye Clinical Preceptors: Dr. Catherine Macyko Clinical Coordinator: Mrs. Helen Chong Resident of the Year: Dr. Anum Qadri Intern of the Year: Dr. Diana Kinn
10 The Osteopathic Oath
I do hereby affirm my loyalty to the profession I am about to enter.
I will be mindful always of my great responsibility to preserve the health and the life of my patients, to retain their confidence and respect both as a physician and a friend who will guard their secrets with scrupulous honor and fidelity, to perform faithfully my professional duties, to employ only those recognized methods of treatment consistent with good judgment and with my skill and ability, keeping in mind always nature’s laws and the body’s inherent capacity for recovery.
I will be ever vigilant in aiding in the general welfare of the community, sustaining its laws and institutions, not engaging in those practices that will in any way bring shame or discredit upon myself or my profession.
I will give no drugs for deadly purposes to any person, though it be asked of me.
I will endeavor to work in accord with my colleagues in a spirit of progressive cooperation, and never by word or by act cast imputations upon them or their rightful practices.
I will look with respect and esteem upon all those who have taught me my art.
To my college, I will be loyal and strive always for its best interests and for the interests of the students who come after me.
I will be ever alert to further the application of basic biologic truths to the healing arts and to develop the principles of osteopathic medicine that were first enunciated by Andrew Taylor Still.
In the presence of this gathering, I bind myself to my oath.
11 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 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.
12 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 including the College of Pharmacy (1991) and the College of Health Sciences (1992). In 1993, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved a single educational mission for the institution, and Midwestern University emerged. The Downers Grove Campus has since expanded to include the College of Dental Medicine– Illinois (2009), the Chicago College of Optometry (2014), and the College of Graduate Studies (2018). 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 Glendale Campus is home to the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (1995), the College of Health Sciences (1996), the College of Pharmacy (1998), the College of Dental Medicine–Arizona (2006), the Arizona College of Optometry (2008), the College of Veterinary Medicine (2012), the College of Graduate Studies (2018), and Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine (2020). 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 Midwestern University Tomorrow’s Healthcare Team Downers Grove Campus 555 31st Street | Downers Grove, IL 60515 www.midwestern.edu