NUHS honors latest graduates, including 36 DCs, at commencement ceremony

The National University of Health Sciences community gathered at the Illinois campus to celebrate the culmination of dedication, hard work, and unwavering determination of over 60 new graduates, including 36 new doctors of chiropractic.

Ashley Burkman, ND, ‘11, a physician with Collaborative Natural Health Partners and member of NUHS’s Board of Trustees since 2015, helped mark the occasion as commencement speaker. During her speech, she shared some memories from her time at NUHS and what graduates can expect in future practice. While there are challenges ahead, she reassured graduates that they now have the tools to face them.

Valedictorians of various programs also provided addresses to an audience of proud friends and family, including Peter Antal Kiss, valedictorian of the Chiropractic Medicine program, Danielle Maritato, valedictorian of the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences program, Kaitlin Condon, valedictorian of the Master of Science in Oriental Medicine program and Katie Ralene Kavicky-Mels, valedictorian of the Naturopathic Medicine program. They each reflected on the challenges they have overcome, the support they received from friends, family and faculty and the overall impact the university has had on their lives.

In her speech, Kavicky-Mels discussed the Hero’s Journey, a common story structure in mythology, comparing it to the transformation graduates have gone through during their time at National University.

“Becoming who we truly are requires the most amount of change,” she said.

In his closing remarks, NUHS President Joseph Stiefel, MS, EdD, DC, also discussed the transformative power of a journey.

“Given the right opportunities and tools, there’s no limit to what you can accomplish,” he said.