By Dave DeFusco

In an event filled with pride and gratitude, 31 students of the M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies participated in a Completion Ceremony on December 17 at the Museum. The ceremony marked a significant milestone in their journey toward becoming licensed healthcare providers, ready to make a meaningful impact in the field of medicine.

Dr. Paul Russo, dean of the Katz School and vice provost at , opened the event by greeting the students, their families and the faculty and staff who supported them. 

“This is a joyous time,” said Dean Russo, reflecting on the rigorous journey that brought the students to this moment. “Sixty-four credits, 27 courses, 10 rotations later—and soon you’ll be ready for the PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam) and, sooner still, you’ll be in practice.”

Dean Russo highlighted the students’ resilience, determination and grit, especially in navigating the challenges of a demanding program. He emphasized the importance of practicing medicine with competence, empathy and kindness, drawing inspiration from the teachings of Rambam Maimonides, who advocated treating the whole patient, not just the disease.

“Your work ensures not just life but also quality of life,” he said.

The students are: Sara Alexander-Hermann, Natalia Aneiros, Aamna Arshad, Daniella Brody, Jesse Brooks, Shoshana Brum, Irvin Cespedes, Taylor Cohen, Lukas Cooper, Liezl Del Rosario, Miguel Duque, Alaa Etouni, Fraidy Fekete, Carin Gannon, Ronee Goldman, Avigail Greenberg, Kristen Hass, Rohan Kumar, Jonathan Lehn, Michael Listro, Noah Newlon, Simone Northman, Ruby Pasupuleti, Giulia Pires, Michael Sivilli, Nicole Slimko, Haylee Herskowitz, Kayla Tanen, Lexi Tetreault, Edgardo Ughoc Jr. and Molly Weir. 

Ronee Goldman, the PA class president, delivered a heartfelt address, encapsulating the collective experiences and emotions of her cohort. “It is a privilege and a deeply humbling experience to stand before you today celebrating a milestone that we’ve all worked so hard to reach,” she said. 

Goldman acknowledged that the challenges of the program, likening the experience to “drinking out of a fire hydrant while on fire, rolling downhill,” were a welcome necessity in preparing them for their careers, and celebrated the class’s resilience and camaraderie.

“Today, as we don our long white coats, we are not just stepping into our careers in healthcare—we are stepping into a future where we will make a lasting impact, armed with the knowledge, resilience and compassion we’ve gained along the way,” she said.

Goldman also took a moment to honor the support systems that played a pivotal role in their success. “Behind every exam we aced, every clinical skill we mastered and every long night we spent studying, there were family members who believed in us, mentors who guided us and classmates who lifted us up,” she said. “To all the loved ones, incredible faculty and friends who have been our pillars of strength, thank you. You are the unsung heroes of our success.”

Several students were honored with awards for their exceptional achievements: 

• Molly Weir received the Scholarship, Advocacy, and Professionalism Award for her scholastic excellence, consummate professionalism and tireless advocacy for patients and the PA profession. 
• Noah Newlon was presented with the Merit and Integrity Award, recognizing his passion and perseverance in the face of adversity. 
• Natalia Aneiros and Kristen Hass shared the Clinical Excellence Award for their outstanding clinical acumen and compassionate patient-centered care. 
• Alexandra Tetreault was chosen by her classmates to receive the Peer Award for exemplifying the highest standards of medical professionalism and dedication to patient care. 

In addition, five students were inducted into the Pi Alpha Honor Society, the national honors society for physician assistants, in recognition of their significant academic achievements, leadership, research and community/professional service: Kristin Haas, Noah Newlon, Simone Northman, Alexandra Tetreault and Molly Weir. 

The ceremony concluded with a poignant moment as Dr. Lorraine Cashin, director of the PA program, led the students in reciting the PA Oath. This solemn pledge underscores a commitment to high-quality, ethical and patient-centered care, while emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning and professionalism. By taking this oath, the students affirmed their readiness to embrace the responsibilities of their new roles and to uphold the values that define the PA profession.

As the event drew to a close, Dr. Cashin reminded the students that this ceremony marked not an end but a beginning. “You are now at the starting line, and I wish you only good things in the future,” she said. “It is our privilege to now call you ‘colleagues’ instead of students.”