More than 470 receive degrees at Upstate commencement

SYRACUSE — Upstate Medical University started the month by recognizing its Class of 2022 during a commencement ceremony held at Upstate Medical University Arena at Onondaga County War Memorial in downtown Syracuse. 

The medical school awarded 474 degrees during the May 1 ceremony.

In its online news release, Upstate Medical University provided a breakdown of the degrees.

The College of Graduate Studies awarded 19 doctoral degrees, including seven in biochemistry.

The College of Health Professions awarded 170 degrees (56 bachelor of science, eight bachelor of professional studies, 68 master of science and 38 doctorate of physical therapy). The college’s programs include clinical perfusion, medical imaging, medical technology, medical biotechnology, respiratory care, physical therapy, physician assistant, and radiation therapy.

The College of Medicine awarded 171 degrees (146 doctor of medicine, 22 master of public health degrees, and three certificates in public health.)

The College of Nursing awarded 110 degrees and certificates (29 bachelor of science, 76 master of science degrees, and five post-master certificates).

The medical school also presented honorary degrees to three people who have made “substantial contributions in areas of importance to Upstate,” including social justice, equity, clinician wellness, and evidence-based practice.

The three honorees are Dr. Vanessa Northington Gamble, Bernadette Melnyk, and Dr. Tait Shanafelt.

Gamble is university professor of medical humanities at George Washington University. She is the first woman and first African American to hold this endowed faculty position, Upstate said.

Melnyk is VP for health promotion and university chief wellness officer, the Helene Fuld Health Trust professor of evidence-based practice (EBP), and dean of the College of Nursing at The Ohio State University.

Dr. Shanafelt is chief wellness officer at Stanford Medicine and associate dean and Jeanie and Stewart Richie professor of medicine at Stanford University.