The University of Tennessee Health Science Center spring commencement was among the largest on record for the university. A total of 781 health professionals graduated from the Colleges of Dentistry, Health Professions, Graduate Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy at the commencement exercises held this month. From 2013, the university saw a 20 percent increase in its number of graduates.
The College of Dentistry also welcomed, Christina Rosenthal, DDS, MPH, 2005 alumna, as the first African-American speaker to deliver the commencement address for the college. A native Memphian, Dr. Rosenthal grew up from humble beginnings, and charged the graduates to have a heart for serving everyone in their community, including the underserved.
UTHSC welcomed alumni and special guests as the commencement speakers for the ceremonies including:
- Donald Thomason, BA, PhD, Dean of the College of Graduate Health Sciences, College of Graduates Health Sciences
- Myra Meekins, PT, DPT, Assistant Professor in Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions
- Deborah Trautman, PhD, RN, FAAN, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), College of Nursing
- Chadwick P. Smith, MD, Trauma and Critical Care Surgeon at Orlando Health, College of Medicine
- Anne Y.F. Lin, PharmD, Founding Dean and Professor of Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy
“UTHSC is proud of our graduates and the fact that we continue to educate more and more committed health care providers to meet our primary mission of improving the health and well-being of the people of Tennessee and beyond,” said Lori Gonzalez, PhD, vice chancellor for Academic, Faculty and Student Affairs. “Our graduates positively impact the lives of patients and the communities they serve.”