In May, 100 Department of Health Sciences students graduated from the Divisions of Clinical Laboratory Science, Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Radiologic Science, and Speech and Hearing Sciences.
The Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences celebrated 23 graduates in a personal ceremony and reception at Wilson Library. Division Director and professor Dr. Susan Beck awarded six MLS students and 17 BS students with their degrees, and each student had the opportunity to share what he or she would be pursuing after graduation. The outstanding senior award was given to Alexis Otway.
The Division of Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling honored 23 graduates in a beautiful outdoor ceremony at The Honeysuckle Tea House in Chapel Hill. A highlight of the day included assistant professor Dr. Terra Rose, faculty speaker, sharing special memories and qualities of each graduate. Lee Davis was the elected student speaker and shared highlights from his time in the program, important lessons learned and encouragement for his fellow graduates.
The Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy shared in the hooding ceremony for PhD graduate Stephanie Bristol, which took place with alongside other UNC PhD graduates in Dean Smith Arena. Master’s in Occupational Therapy students will celebrate their graduation later this summer.
The Division of Radiologic Science celebrated 12 graduates in an intimate ceremony and reception at the Medical Biomolecular Research Building. Erin Matson, UNC’s new women’s field hockey coach and four-time NCAA field hockey champion at UNC, gave a commencement address that highlighted the importance of hard work and embracing the challenges of the unknown that may follow graduation. Awards were presented to outstanding faculty, mentors and students.
The Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences honored 41 graduates in a no-seat-left-empty ceremony at the Friday Center. Dr. Betsy Crais, a longtime faculty member who is retiring this spring, gave an address that encouraged graduates to lean on their social convoy throughout the course of their careers. PhD graduate Kelsey Thompson was hooded in the university-wide ceremony, while 10 candidates received their Doctor of Audiology degrees, and 30 candidates received their Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. Awards were presented to clinical preceptors for each program.
The Department of Health Sciences is incredibly proud of this year’s graduating class, which has faced incredible changes in classroom learning and patient care because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the 2023 graduates entered their programs at the height of the pandemic and emerge today with resilience, lasting relationships, and the ability to create positive change in the ever-shifting healthcare industry.
Looking ahead, the DHS will continue to celebrate the Class of 2023 for the Divisions of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant Studies later this year.