SYRACUSE — Upstate Medical University awarded 430 degrees and certificates during a graduation ceremony held May 5 at the SRC Arena and Events Center on the campus of Onondaga Community College. The medical school conferred degrees on graduates from all four Upstate colleges: Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Medicine, and Nursing. The College of Graduate Studies […]
SYRACUSE — Upstate Medical University awarded 430 degrees and certificates during a graduation ceremony held May 5 at the SRC Arena and Events Center on the campus of Onondaga Community College. The medical school conferred degrees on graduates from all four Upstate colleges: Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Medicine, and Nursing. The College of Graduate Studies awarded 21 degrees, including one master’s degree. The 20 doctoral degrees handed out included five in biochemistry, Upstate said. The College of Health Professions awarded 155 degrees. They included 49 bachelor of science, three bachelor of professional studies, 67 master of science, and 36 doctor of physical therapy degrees. Programs in the college include behavior-analysis studies, clinical perfusion, medical imaging, medical technology, medical biotechnology, respiratory care, physical therapy, physician assistant, and radiation therapy. The Norton College of Medicine awarded 152 degrees, which included 134 doctor of medicine and 18 master of public health degrees. Two students earned M.D., MPH degrees as well, Upstate noted. The College of Nursing awarded 95 degrees and certificates. They included three doctorate in nursing, 67 master of science, and 18 bachelor of science degrees, as well as seven post-master certificates. Four students earned both an M.D. and a Ph.D. — Jennifer Cheung of Oak Hill, Michigan.; Michael Edward Garone of Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y.; Nicholas Hoai Van Nguyen of San Diego, California; and Brandon Lee Wyman of Shirley, N.Y.
Honorary degrees Upstate also presented three honorary degrees during the commencement ceremony. The recipients are Dr. Jose Jalife, Katelyn Jetelina, Ph.D, and Nader Rifai, Ph.D. Jalife is professor emeritus of internal medicine and of molecular and integrative physiology at the University of Michigan. He is also distinguished senior investigator at the Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research. Jetelina is founder and publisher of “Your Local Epidemiologist” and senior scientific consultant at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition to the honorary degree, Jetelina also delivered the commencement address. Rifai is professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School, the Oprah S. Platt Chair in Laboratory Medicine and director of clinical chemistry at Boston Children’s Hospital, per the Upstate announcement.