August marks graduation season at MEDEX Northwest. This year’s gatherings were the first to be held in-person since 2019, bringing an added flavor of relief as students, faculty and families came together in common spaces to honor and celebrate the graduates. We also added a fifth ceremony to our usual mix of four — Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane and Anchorage — with the graduation of the pioneering students of MEDEX Kona Class 1 in Kona, HI.
Join us in remembering the joys of each of these five ceremonies and raising a glass to the successes of all of our 2022 MEDEX Northwest graduates by clicking through the slideshows just below.
MEDEX Kona Class 1
The historic occasion of MEDEX Northwest’s Kona Class 1 graduation ceremony occurred on a bright and sunny Saturday morning, August 20, 2022, on the grounds of the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel in Kailula-Kona, HI. The ceremony and mood were as wonderful as the day and setting were beautiful, and the significance of Hawaii’s first class of homegrown PAs for the future of healthcare in the State was lost on no one. Dignitaries gathered from near, such as healthcare leaders, clinical preceptors, and representatives from local and state government, including Keynote Speaker Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii John Green, MD, and from far, including staff and faculty from across the MEDEX campuses along with administrative leaders from the University of Washington School of Medicine. But the morning’s focus was ultimately on the 17 graduates who, in the words of Class Speaker Prelon Kaulanahaki Katschman, “were brought together to be pioneers, to be the first graduating class of PAs in Hawaii.” It was a big day indeed.
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Welcome Oli & Procession
Kumu Ke’ala Ching, Hawaiian cultural educator, composer, songwriter, spiritual advisor
WELCOME From MEDEX Northwest
Terry Scott, MPA, PA-C, DFAAPA, MEDEX Program Director and Section Head
This is a great day, a day we’ve all dreamed of: graduating the first Kona class! In January of 2020, when we held our selection conference for candidates here in this hotel, little did we know that in three months the nation and the world would be shut down. I want to complement you on your resiliency and your tenacity. Going to PA school is difficult on a good day. But to think that you were able to accomplish this in the midst of a pandemic? Well, we are all very very proud of you.
MEDEX KonA CAmpus Welcome
Kaidden Kelly, DMSc, PA-C, CAQ-PSYCH, MEDEX Kona Campus Coordinator
It is truly my honor to speaking to the first ever University of Washington, School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Program, Kona Campus Class 1 student graduation ceremony today. Wow!
The MEDEX program was born out of a serious shortage of physicians in 1969 by Dr. Richard Smith, who saw an opportunity to construct positive change in U.S. healthcare, while simultaneously pushing for social justice in medicine. And the MEDEX Kona campus is exactly what that is. So congratulations to you all. I’m very proud of every single one of you.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Josh Green, MD, Lieutenant Governor, State of Hawaii
I am so pleased to see you graduate here today. It’s an extraordinary day. It’s difficult to imagine how hard it is to establish a strong and thoughtful program such as this one from afar. A lot of times we in Hawaii, we feel that we can try to do everything here internally, without outside help. And the truth is, we all have to help each other. So mahalo to MEDEX, to Terry Scott and to the UW leadership who decided to make this happen. I’m very grateful to them.
And to you students who have decided to devote your lives to healthcare, let me say this. Find in your heart what motivates you to care for people. And let that drive you. Let that start as you graduate today. In the coming weeks and months, you are going to find jobs, you’re going to be recruited, you’re going to be needed, and you are needed so badly. Each and every one of you is going to help thousands of people, in our beautiful state, or maybe back in Washington state, or maybe back in Oregon.
But if I can ask you a favor as your Lieutenant Governor, and perhaps as your next Governor? Please consider staying here, making this your home, curing those here who have great need. Find your inspiration, take these excellent lessons that you’ve had in the last two years, and translate them into saving lives here. Translate them in to making Hawaii an even more extraordinary place to live. Because we want this to be an era of healthcare for all in our beautiful state. You really are the healthcare future that we need.
Guest Speaker
Paul A. James, MD, Professor and Chair, Department of Family Medicine
As the Chair of the Department of Family Medicine, it is my great joy, first of all, to say aloha to all, and to congratulate this historic class. In fact, let’s think about it. You are going the be the people that future generations of PAs talk about. The pioneers. The ones who created the tradition.
Professor Scott asked me to give you your final lesson today. There are three things about this final lesson that I want you to remember. Number one is that you are part of a very well-trained team. Number two is that your education is enough, you are ready to help others. And the third and most important message is that I expect you from this day forward to use one of the most powerful medicines of medicine, and that is hope. And that you not just give hope to others, but that you be that hope to others.
Class Speaker
Prelon Kaulanakahi Katschman, Kona Class 1 Treasurer
We made the best of our situation, and that’s what I love about my class. There was no competition, no high school drama. Someone was always there when we needed to vent, or needed help in understanding a difficult concept. We looked out for each other, and made sure we got through these past two years. Seventeen in, seventeen out. I feel that we were brought together to be pioneers, to be the first graduating class of PAs in Hawaii. There will be 100s more after us, but we are the first seventeen. I get a sense of pride saying that, and I hope my classmates feel the same.
Recognition of Military Service
Kelly Vide, MSHS, PA-C, MEDEX Kona Faculty
Thank you for your service, James.
Golden Apple for Excellence in Teaching Award
Marot Karr, MSPAS, PA-C, MEDEX Kona Clinical Coordinator
The MEDEX Awards
Luna Noel, MHA, MMS, PA-C, MEDEX Kona Faculty
Writing Award
Carey Jade Colbert & Chelsea Page Kern, Recipients
The MEDEX Awards
John Coombs Leadership Award
Devon Tamostu, Recipient
The MEDEX Awards
The Spirit of MEDEX Award
Elizabeth Jimenez, Recipient
The MEDEX Awards
Steven Turnipseed, PA-C Veterans Award
James Nguyen, Recipient
The MEDEX Awards
Kona Underserved Award
Andrew Miscovitch, Recipient
The MEDEX Awards
Kehau Kong, MD, MEDEX Kona Faculty
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Kona Graduates
Closing REmarks
Terry Scott, MPA, PA-C, DFAAPA, MEDEX Program Director and Section Head
Graduates, will you please stand, turn to the audience, and recognize those loved ones one who have supported you. On behalf of the University of Washington’s MEDEX Program, I proudly present to you the first graduating class of MEDEX Kona.
CLosing OLI & Procession
Kumu Ke’ala Ching, Hawaiian cultural educator, composer, songwriter, spiritual advisor
Congratulations MEDEX Kona Class 1
MEDEX Spokane Class 24
Families, friends and supporters of the students of Class 24 of the MEDEX Northwest PA Program’s Spokane Campus filled the seats of Gonzaga University’s Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center on the morning of Thursday August 18, 2022 to cheer their loved ones across the stage and into the launch of their careers as PAs. Class 24 is the sixth Spokane-based cohort to graduate since the partnership between University of Washington School of Medicine and Gonzaga University was established. The UW-GU Regional Health Partnership, and MEDEX’s place within it, has only strengthened over those years, as evidenced by the recent launch of the new medical health and education building on the Gonzaga campus, and the move of the MEDEX Spokane offices and classroom into the refurbished historic SIERR Building nearby.
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Welcoming Class 24
Theo Orchard III, MHS, PA-C, MEDEX Spokane Campus Coordinator
About three years ago, when we met for the first time during interviews, the world was a little bit different. There was a lot of excitement that day, a lot of hope for what was to come. But no one could have predicted that before you even started your education, a worldwide pandemic would do what it has done. It has changed the world in many ways. But most relevant to our purposes today, COVID-19 changed the way you would receive your education and changed the face of the medical field you are entering.
Yet through all of this, you have succeeded and are better for it. Today I want to congratulate you on being able to receive such a rigorous education in such unprecedented times to make it to this day.
Introduction of Ceremony Speakers
Brendan Riordan, PA-C, MEDEX Spokane Faculty
Program Director’s Welcome
Terry Scott, MPA, PA-C, DFAAPA, MEDEX Program Director and Section Head
I want to say on behalf of the faculty and staff how proud we are that each and every one of you have made it to this day, and that each and every one of you are going to make significant contributions in the lives of your patients. As I think about the next 20 to 30 years, I look forward to seeing your careers unfold, to see the differences that you’ll make in your communities, whether those are rural or underserved urban communities. The one thing we enjoy as faculty and staff here at MEDEX is to watch our graduates go out and do wonderful and great things.
Gonzaga University Welcome
Thayne M. McCulloh, DPhil, President, Gonzaga University
I want to share as a really privileged partner of the University of Washington and the MEDEX program how honored I am to simply join with you and to offer on behalf of the Gonzaga community our sincere congratulations and our gratitude to each of you.
We know that these last couple of years have been extraordinarily challenging and very rigorous. We know that this has been a time of isolation as well as collaboration, that there have been moments of frustration, and perhaps people who elected to not continue with the program as a result. But the 31 of you here represent the future of medicine in our region and in all of the places to which you will go.
What your presence here represents to me and to us at Gonzaga is your perseverance and your commitment, your creativity, your adaptability, your ability to challenge yourself and to find new ways of learning and growing and succeeding, despite the challenges, some of which were unforeseen, and some of which have yet to be understood. I personally believe that is just these kinds of experiences that make us more effective, more successful in the longterm, because they prove to us that we have the capabilities that we need to adapt and to sustain ourselves no matter where we go. You will be, as a result, wise people with gifts that you can share with other colleagues.
Keynote Speaker
Patty Hahn, RN, MN, ARNP, Former MEDEX Spokane Faculty
You’ve come to the end of your MEDEX journey, and whether you like it or not, you are “the COVID class.” You not only survived PA school, but you survived both your didactic and clinical years during a pandemic, with all its restrictions, mandates and social distancing.
The word ‘survive’ has both French and Latin derivatives. In French, it literally means “on to live.” It means you’ve come through a difficult time, but rather than just getting by, you’ve grown and been changed by the experience, and are now more prepared to live to the fullest. You’ve gained a new perspective and are better prepared to face the next challenge that life throws your way.
There are many things that will be out of your control. COVID. Coworkers. Patients. They’re going to disappoint you. Jobs may not turn out to be all you thought they would be. Many, if not most, of the things that happen around us and to us are out of our control. The only thing we can really control is our response to the situation. We can choose to become angry, resentful, or bitter. Or be resilient and seek to learn from the experience. Grow into a better person. Bitter or better? The choice is really yours.
I’ve talked about surviving and thriving, as if they were two different options. Perhaps it’s not one or the other, survive or thrive. When I stop to think about it, it’s really both. You can survive and thrive. You’ve survived PA school and are now prepared to thrive in a successful career as a physician assistant. I say, “On to live!”
Introduction of Class Officers
and Student Speakers
Tim Mahnke, MEDEX Spokane Class 24 Class President
Student Speaker
Laura Rebecca Noyes, Spokane Class 24 Director of Community Outreach
We wanted to open by talking about the rest of you. What I like to call The Big Team. We wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you. To our children … our partners and spouses … our parents … and our teachers and preceptors. Thank you. Thank you from all of us and from all of our future patients, who you have cared for indirectly. Your positive influences ripples out into the world today, and now it is our responsibility to continue learning and pass it on. Each of us knows that none of us would be here without you. This graduation belongs to The Big Team.
Student Speaker
Dominic Owen DePhillips, Spokane Class 24 WAPA Student Representative
Student Speaker
Dominic Owen DePhillips, Spokane Class 24 WAPA Student Representative
To my peers, we made it! Let’s take this moment in and be proud, for what we have accomplished is enormous. They said it would be difficult and all-consuming, a common analogy being drinking from a firehose. But really, this was more like drinking straight from the hydrant, right? But though it was difficult, we did it. Though it was a new horizon, we discovered it and conquered it. I spent a lot of time thinking about what “it” is, and what I found was transformation.
We constantly challenged each other to meet a standard of excellence, and we all helped each other reach this standard. From remote study sessions to the spontaneous ping-pong tournament, we were always aiming to excel. Reflecting on the last two years and thinking about the incredible transformation that has taken place with this class, I am excited to think about the care that this class will give as new providers entering the medical community. I can see that each of us is excited to give back. Class 24, you rock!
Recognition of Military Service
Cari Rodgers, BCHS, PA-C, MEDEX Spokane Faculty
Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Awards
Theo Orchard III, MHS, PA-C, MEDEX Spokane Campus Coordinator, Presenter
The MEDEX Awards
BARBARA GUNTER-FLYNN AWARD
Spencer Alrick Hale, Recipient
The MEDEX Awards
SPIRIT OF MEDEX AWARD
Laura Rebecca Noyes, Recipient
The MEDEX Awards
JOHN COOMBS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Tim Mahnke, Recipient
The MEDEX Awards
STEVEN TURNIPSEED, PA-C VETERANS AWARD
Seamus Burke, Recipient
The MEDEX Awards
WRITING AWARD
Meganne Michelle Austin, Recipient
The MEDEX Awards
MARY REED AWARD
Sarianna Rae Lerch, Recipient
The MEDEX Awards
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Cari Rodgers, BCHS, PA-C, MEDEX Spokane Faculty
How will you put your education to use? What will your gifts to the world be? As PAs, not only are we clinicians, but we are healers. As you start clinical practice, I challenge you to think about what this means to you. If you think about it, curing is about repair and healing is about growth. So fixing is something we do to others, and healing is something we evoke in others. As you entered the curriculum to strive to be the best clinician you could be, we hope that you also strengthened your altruistic values, sense of calling, and the intention to serve that has led you to medicine in the first place.
I encourage you not to forget what it is like to be a student. As you enter the profession, there are many more to come behind you who will need your example and mentorship. As a reminder, you get one year to get your feet under you, and then I start sending you students. We have full confidence in you. Welcome to the profession.
Graduates, will you please stand and be recognized. It is now my distinct honor and privilege to present the graduates of Spokane Class 24 of the MEDEX Northwest PA Program.
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CONGRATULATIONS MEDEX SPOKANE CLASS 24
MEDEX Tacoma Class 8
The graduation ceremony for MEDEX Tacoma Class 8 took place on Thursday morning, August 18, 2022, at William Philip Hall on the UW Tacoma Campus. The warm and sunny morning outside the Hall seemed to support the sincere feelings of accomplishment and celebration inside. Not even a pandemic could keep this cohort down, it seems. Keynote Speaker and MEDEX Faculty member Quanté Greenlee asked that they “always remember that behind every patient is a story.” But for the length of this ceremony, at least, all were reminded that each student carries a story as well, and this ceremony will surely linger as a featured chapter in that story for each of them. Congratulations to TC8.
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Tacoma Campus Welcome
Michael De Rosa, MPH, PhD, PA-C, MEDEX Tacoma Campus Coordinator
I know that a few years ago, each of you wrote personal statements, wrote essays, got letters from references that all said amazing and wonderful things about who you were going to be as a PA. You wrote wonderful things about the people you were going to care for, and how you were going to do it. You’re here today because you and the folks at MEDEX have kept your commitments and fulfilled your obligations to each other. But I hope that today you’ll spare a moment to think about those things that you said about the kind of provider you want to be and the kind of work you want to do. And be that.
Keynote Speaker
Quanté Greenlee, MHS, MPH, PA-C, RRT, CPH, CHES®, MEDEX Faculty
Before I decided on a career in healthcare, I wanted to be a writer. I wanted to be like James Baldwin and Toni Morrison, two of my favorite authors and advocates. Like them, I wanted to contribute something positive to the world. One of my favorite quotes from James Baldwin says, “Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
Hearing this quote, I want you all to imagine your future as PAs. Think of the things that inspire and motivate you. Think of that one patient or family member or healthcare provider who became your reason for being here today. As you start to become more comfortable in your roles, find a way to make healthcare better, make the profession better, and become comfortable facing the things that others shy away from.
Guest Speaker
Jonathan Maher, PA-C, Former MEDEX Tacoma Faculty
For me, a satisfying day is when I get to help people. I know some of you guys from even before your interviews because I reviewed your applications. Others of you I got to meet at interview day. And everybody else I got to teach. And a consistent theme is: you guys all care. You want to help people. In the day-to-day grind, it’s sometimes easy to forget that. So down the road in a couple of years, when you’re feeling like it’s a grind, keep in mind, ‘I’m here to help people.’ You may need to change your situation, to be in a situation where you can help people. But that is part of what keeps me going, and I’m hoping, 20 years into your career, it’ll be part of what keeps you going.
Introduction of Class Officers and Student Speaker
Michael DeRosa, MPH, PhD, PA-C, MEDEX Tacoma Campus Coordinator
Class Speaker
Sarah Lynne Kreiss, Tacoma Class 8 President
This journey started before June of 2020, and it’s absolutely incredible to think about the years of education and pre-recs and patient care experience and application cycles that have all come together in this moment where we can call ourselves PAs. It’s been an incredible journey, complete with joy, pain, terror, delight, death and birth. We’re entering our profession at a time when medicine and indeed the world is in turmoil, so I’m going wrap up with an inspirational quote attributed to an ancient rabbi. ‘Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.’
We are all in this together, we all have a role to play in the ever-unfolding journey of humanity, but I know that the future of medicine is in safe hands with this group. I feel very strongly that whatever enables us to take this next step in our individual journeys is due in large part to the relationships we formed and the perspectives we’ve shared and will continue to share with each other. With all the challenges we faced during this unprecedented moment in our history, we achieved our goals of becoming PAs, and I could not be prouder. Congratulations TC8.
Recognition of Military Service
Krissa Orlowski, PA-C, MEDEX Tacoma Faculty
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Golden Apple Teaching Excellence Awards
Bonnie Joy, MPA, PA-C, MEDEX Tacoma Faculty, Presenter
John Coombs Leadership Award
Nikkie Samuels, Recipient
Bonnie Joy, MPA, PA-C MEDEX Faculty, Presenter
The MEDEX Awards
Ellen Harder Underserved Award
Zoe Weinberg, Recipient
Quanté Greenlee, MHS, MPH, PA-C, RRT, CPH, CHES®, MEDEX Faculty, Presenter
The MEDEX Awards
Spirit of MEDEX Award
Chelsea Mae Olsen, Recipient
Michael De Rosa, MPH, PhD, PA-C MEDEX Tacoma Campus Coordinator, Presenter
The MEDEX Awards
Writing Award
Patrick Carpenter, Recipient
Krissa Orlowski, PA-C, MEDEX Faculty, Presenter
The MEDEX Awards
Steven Turnipseed, PA-C Veterans Award
Shingsung Yook, Recipient
Brandon Weaver, MPAS, PA-C, APA, MEDEX Faculty, Presenter
The MEDEX Awards
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Tacoma Class 8
Presentation of 2022 Graduates
Bonnie Joy, MPA, PA-C, MEDEX Tacoma Faculty, Presenter
I’d like to present to you the TC8 Class of 2022.
Congratulations MEDEX Tacoma Class 8
MEDEX Seattle Class 54
Outside of the University of Washington’s Kane Hall on the morning of August 18, 2022, it was a hot one already, part of an increasingly familiar heatwave in a city that still isn’t quite used to such things. By contrast, the weather inside Kane Hall was just about perfect. The air conditioning helped, of course. But really it was the atmosphere of celebration among the students, faculty, families and friends that filled the hall and made the morning so pleasant, so joyous, so wonderful.
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Introduction
Terry Scott, MPA, PA-C, DFAAPA, MEDEX Program Director and Section Head
Graduation is a big day for all of us. In a normal year, it’s a wonderful day of celebration. But given what this group of individuals has had to endure with resiliency and persistence over the past two years to attain this goal, it’s extraordinary. Trying to maintain a program of this stature and continue to offer a high-quality education given some of the challenges that have been faced is extremely difficult. But we did so, and you are here today. Let me be one of the first to congratulate you on this momentous accomplishment.
UW School of Medicine Welcome
Misbah Keen, MD, MBI, MPH, Executive Vice Chair, Department of Family Medicine
Congratulations to all of the graduates. I had the distinct pleasure of watching your growth and seeing you handle the rigors not only of this MEDEX program, which is a challenge in itself, but also how you managed COVID. Your grit and determination and flexibility insured that you not only completed the program, but also taught program’s faculty how to find innovative ways of completing the education and enhancing our program.
We are going through a period of transformation and opportunity like nothing seen before. You as future leaders have a duty to carry this path forward. This will not be easy, but I know that this amazing faculty have done their very best to prepare you for a fulfilling career as a competent PA, and as a change agent. I wish you all the best in your career, and I know and trust that each of you will not only be a compassionate clinician but also an esteemed colleague.
Keynote Speaker
Paul A. James, MD, Professor and Chair, Department of Family Medicine
One of the most important things I can tell you about the PA profession is that it was a created specifically for teams. And all of us in life need our teams, whether it’s our family and friends, or the healthcare professionals that we work with. Healthcare in America has become a very complex enterprise. Being smart is not good enough. You’re still going to fail your patients if you’re just smart. Being caring and hardworking? They’re good, they’re important, but still not enough. The most important part of delivering high quality care – and this is true for me today every time I enter a room – is the team that I work with and the support that we give one another.
Introduction of Class Officers and Student Speakers
Tara Hook, DMSc, MMS, PA-C, MEDEX Faculty
It is my honor to the Seattle class officers who have served as part of the student government for MEDEX Class 54. The class officers have been elected by their peers and provide leadership for the cohort. They provide support to each other and work together to reach both individual goals as healthcare providers as well as collective goals as an organization. They promote public awareness and advocacy for PAs, serve the community by coordinating service projects and charitable contributions.
Student Speaker
Michelle Elizabeth Finan, Seattle Class 54 President
The truth is I struggled with what to say today. So I did what any 30-year old in my position would do: I called my mom! She is my compass dial, my beacon for hard work and success. My mom says, “I ran across this quote recently that sums up a big part of my feelings. Henry David Thoreau said ‘Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe become simpler.’ I believe my success is largely due to recognizing my strengths, gaining confidence from that knowledge, and charting a path to use those skills to those purposes. But the quote doesn’t say it all. To lead, you have to have a large dose of honesty about your weaknesses, along with that self-confidence and direction from knowing your strengths. Surround yourself with others that compliment your skill set, learn from them every day in a mutual relationship of collaboration and development. The whole will be greater than the sum of the parts.” And so, congratulations Class 54. I urge you all to go as confidently as possible in the direction of your dreams.
Student Speaker
Nasheed Rashad Burgess, Seattle Class 54 Diversity Committee Representative
There are so many that put in so much effort into insuring that none of us felt alone during the most difficult two and a half years of exhaustive studying, social injustice, political unrest and a virus that has destroyed millions of lives and hurt countless generations. But team, we made it. As we look forward into our new lives as young PAS, let’s not forget who we are and what we are made of.
We endured many obstacles, yet here we stand. Our ears negated the words of encouragement from our loved ones, even though they only spoke truths about our character. And yet here we stand. Our eyes filled with tears, visions of our own failures, the darkness of the unknown, yet here we stand. Our mouths formed words that spoke of our inability to prevail through our experience, yet here we stand. My friends, my family, my colleagues, here we stand, as physician associates, as providers, and as University of Washington MEDEX Northwest Seattle Class 54. Now let’s go save some lives. Always forward.
Recognition of Military Service
Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Awards
Brianna Gutierrez, PA-C, MEDEX Seattle Clinical Coorinator, Presenter
John Coombs Leadership Award
Jazmin Tablazon, Recipient
Daytheon Sturges, MEDEX Faculty, Presenter
Richard Layton Underserved Award
Aliyah Lavinia Miller, Recipient
Lois Thetford, MEDEX Faculty, Presenter
Spirit of MEDEX Award
Dohyun Kim, Recipient
Nasheed Burgess, Recipient
Lois Thetford, MEDEX Faculty, Presenter
Steven Turnipseed, PA-C Veterans Award
Dallin Peterson, Recipient
Daytheon Sturges, MEDEX Faculty, Presenter
Writing Award
Maninderpal Sethi, Recipient
Daytheon Sturges, MEDEX Faculty, Presenter
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Daytheon Sturges, PhD, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, CAHIMS, CHES®, Vice Chair for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI), Associate Program Director of Regional Affairs and JEDI, Interim Associate Program Director of Academic Affairs
It is my distinct honor to present to you the graduates of MEDEX Seattle Class 54. Congratulations and the very best to you all.
Terry Scott, MPA, PA-C, DFAAPA, MEDEX Program Director and Section Head
CONGRATULATIONS MEDEX SEATTLE CLASS 54
MEDEX Anchorage Class 12
Somewhere in the midst of the cheers and good wishes that filled the Wendy Williamson Auditorium on the University of Alaska, Anchorage Campus on the morning of August 18, 2022 were surely signs of disbelief. “PA school is hard enough as it is without having to go through it during a worldwide pandemic,” says MEDEX Program Director Terry Scott. “But this class did it.” It was true. The Anchorage Class 12 students made it through it all, and with flying colors, too. And all were able to gather in person to celebrate their success. A good day indeed.
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I want to say on behalf of the MEDEX faculty and staff how proud we are that each and every one of you have made it to this day. As I think about the next 20 to 30 years, I look forward to seeing your careers unfold, and to seeing the differences that you’ll make in your communities, whether those are rural or underserved urban communities. The one thing we enjoy as faculty and staff here at MEDEX is the opportunity to watch our graduates go out and do wonderful and great things. Congratulations.
MEDEX Program Director Welcome
Terry Scott, MPA, PA-C, DFAAPA, MEDEX Program Director and Section Head
MEDEX Anchorage Campus Welcome
Teresa Lowe, PA-C, MEDEX Anchorage Campus Coordinator
Good morning. I am very happy to see all of you here today. Welcome to our students, their families and their friends, and to my fellow faculty colleagues. Our students would not be here today without all of your support and all of their hard work. Welcome.
University of Alaska, Anchorage Welcome
Kathy Young, MD, Director and Term Assistant Professor, UAA WWAMI School of Medical Education
My recommendation after being in medicine for many years is this: be kind. If you can be anything, be kind, to your staff, to your patients, to your colleagues. Assume good intentions, be it from supervisors, administrators, or patients. And above all, remain curious. If you remain curious about your patients, about why they are doing things, about what’s going on with them, you will continue to be that lifelong learner. That’s probably the most important thing as you move along through your career, that you continue to learn. Medicine changes so fast, you really have no option.
Keynote Speaker
Timothy F. Quigley, MPH, PA-C, DFAAPA, Emeritus MEDEX Faculty
I am now in my 70s. I started PA school in my 20s. As we enter retirement — and there might be a few people here of that age or above, a few elders in this room — and one thing that elders have in common is that we’ve seen loss and we’ve seen people die around us, in our careers and in our families. And we reflect on it ourselves. What have I done with my time?
You’ll have that opportunity 50 years from now to look back on your life and say, yes, I have made a difference, I have been of service others. I’ve helped folks, and I’ve made the world a little better place than it was when I got here, when I started practicing medicine. And that opportunity is something that you have achieved. It wasn’t given to you. You’ve worked very hard to be here. It’s a golden opportunity for the rest of your lives to be of service to your community, to your families, to your friends, and to your own very self.
Student Speaker
Eric Lucas Page, Anchorage Class 12
Throughout the process that was PA school, my classmates demonstrated some of the most exemplary, dynamic, and powerful characteristics of any assembled group I’ve ever worked with. They demonstrated that grit and determination Terry Scott mentioned, but they also demonstrated resourcefulness, generosity, vulnerability, humanity, and humor. These traits helped us survive this life test, and after today those traits will be essential for our patients, our peers, and most importantly ourselves.
I want to try to quantify what we’ve done here. PA school by the numbers. 36, the number of clinical reasoning, continuity case, emergency medicine-based, clinical skill hands-on assessments we passed. 21, the number of comprehensive patient progress notes assigned and written during the didactic year. 13, the number of papers or reflective essays assigned and written during our didactic year. 10, the number of extensive capstone project research assignments, including our approximately 20 page submission for our master’s degree. 25, the number of handwritten prescription assignments completed during our didactic year. 36, the number of high stakes didactic year multiple choice examinations we all passed. 910, the number of pages of syllabus information we were expected to read. 17.362, the average number of syllabus pages actually read.
10, the number of comprehensive clinical year end of rotation exams, PACKRAT tests, formative, summative, and end of curriculum exams taken and that we all passed. 1234, the average number real patients that we each assessed and treated during our clinical year. 794 or 27, 794 days or 27 months since we started this adventure and saw the unknowable amount of energy we put in to be here today. And finally, 23, the number of graduating PA school students of the 12th MEDEX Anchorage cohort.
I’ll conclude with my favorite quote: “The two most important days of your life are the day you’re were born, and the day you found out why.” Anchorage Class 12, go forth and show the world your ‘why’ as amazing PAs. I know you will.
Thank you for your service.
Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Awards
Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Awards
The MEDEX Awards
The MEDEX Awards
John Coombs Leadership Award
Carol Lynn Shields, Recipient
Timothy F. Quigley, MPH, PA-C, DFAAPA, Emeritus MEDEX Faculty, Presenter
Anchorage Underserved Award
Victoria Buckmeier, Recipient
Timothy F. Quigley, MPH, PA-C, DFAAPA, Emeritus MEDEX Faculty, Presenter
Writing Award
Melanie Beale, Recipient
Timothy Olson, MS, PA-C MEDEX Faculty, Presenter
The MEDEX Awards
The MEDEX Awards
Spirit of MEDEX Award
Ciara Stoutenburgh, Recipient
Mary Perez, Recipient
Teresa Lowe, PA-C MEDEX Anchorage Campus Coordinator, Presenter
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Timothy Olson, MS, PA-C MEDEX Faculty, Presenter
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Presentation of 2022 MEDEX Graduates
Physician Assistant Oath
Timothy Olson, MS, PA-C MEDEX Faculty, Leader
Closing Remarks
Kira Vader, MA, MHS, DMSc, PA-C, MEDEX Clinical Coordinator
On behalf of Program Director Terry Scott and all the MEDEX faculty and staff, it’s my honor to present to you the graduates of MEDEX Spokane Class 12.