OHSU commencement ceremonies to honor over 1,000 new medical professionals, educators, researchers

June 04, 2015 Education
Lorena Ibarra, D.M.D.
Lorena Ibarra, D.M.D.

A diverse new generation of health care professionals, educators and researchers are graduating from Oregon Health & Science University this month. Commencement ceremonies begin this week and will continue throughout June; a total of 1,116 degrees will be awarded.

Ceremonies for the OHSU School of Medicine, School of Dentistry and School of Nursing will be held Friday, June 5, at the Oregon Convention Center, while ceremonies for the Oregon State University/OHSU College of Pharmacy as well as School of Nursing campuses outside of Portland will take place June 11 - 13.

“One of the reasons many of us choose careers in academic health care is the chance to work with students. Their energy, idealism and enthusiasm is infectious,” said OHSU President Joe Robertson, M.D., M.B.A. “Today, as we release new graduates into the world as skilled and committed providers, educators and research scientists, we know that their contributions will favorably impact the health and well-being of Oregonians.”

The OHSU School of Dentistry will award degrees to 94 graduates.

 "We're very proud to present the OHSU School of Dentistry Class of 2015," said OHSU School of Dentistry Dean Phillip Marucha, D.M.D., Ph.D. "This is the first class to graduate from our new facility. These compassionate and community-minded professionals represent the future of oral health care and we are proud to count them as our newest colleagues. They will serve the people of the state of Oregon well."

The OHSU School of Medicine will award 461 degrees to 448 graduates this year, with some graduates receiving combined degrees.

“The graduates of the OHSU School of Medicine represent a long legacy of clinical and scientific leaders who embrace a future of unlimited possibilities,” said OHSU School of Medicine Dean Mark Richardson, M.D., M.B.A., M.Sc.B. “The landscape of medicine continues to evolve, and OHSU takes pride in knowing that the class of 2015 is well-prepared to embrace this transition. Their accomplishments will ensure that the highest quality of patient care and research discovery continue, both here in the state of Oregon, as well as across the nation."

The OHSU School of Nursing will award degrees and certificates to 477 graduates.

“Through a full spectrum of baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degree programs, the OHSU School of Nursing instills in its students the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies to address health care needs,” said, OHSU School of Nursing Dean Susan Bakewell-Sachs, Ph.D., R.N., P.N.P. B.C. “All of our graduates are prepared to contribute to, improve and transform health care across Oregon and beyond, and this group is no exception. We expect to see great things from the class of 2015.”

The Oregon State University/OHSU College of Pharmacy will award degrees to 84 graduates.

"I am very proud to join the faculty and staff of the College of Pharmacy in congratulating the class of 2015 on their achievements," said OSU/OHSU College of Pharmacy Dean Mark Zabriskie, Ph.D. "Their hard work and commitment to patient care has prepared them to advance the profession of pharmacy and become creative leaders for collaborative health care in Oregon and beyond. Whether they choose to practice in community or hospital settings, or pursue postgraduate training or public health opportunities, they are prepared to make significant contributions and lead efforts to improving health and wellness in the populations they serve."

Meet some of OHSU's 2015 Graduates:

Lorena Ibarra, D.M.D., OHSU School of Dentistry

A former resident of Oregon’s rural Umatilla County, Lorena Ibarra grew up seeing the effects of inadequate health care access firsthand. She points to memories of her own grandmother, her abuelita, as being influential in her decision to pursue oral health as a profession. A recipient of the four-year FJ Bettman Scholarship, during her time at OHSU, Lorena has maintained a steadfast focus on her goal of achieving a doctorate in dental medicine. She has decided to continue her post-doctoral studies with a general practice residency to further hone her clinical skills. Eventually fulfilling her overall dream, Lorena intends to return to her roots to serve as a dentist in a more rural setting, in her words, “building momentum toward healthier communities throughout our country.”

Jane Riebold, M.S., OHSU School of Medicine

Jane Riebold grew up in Corvallis, Ore. as the daughter of a medical technician and a veterinary anesthesiologist. Everyday she watched her parents help others and was drawn to a career path that would allow her to do the same. At OHSU, Jane has pursued research in OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Ketogenic Diet Clinic, focusing on children with intractable epilepsy who are treated with ketogenic diet therapy. In particular, her research examined carnitine, a molecule that is required to import fatty acids into the mitochondria for oxidation and ketogenesis. Jane has also been involved in multiple professional organizations, including the local and national chapters of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and its Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group. Jane plans to pursue a position as a pediatric dietitian working in both clinical and research settings.

Josh Kaplan, Ph.D., OHSU School of Medicine
Kaeley Kaplan, M.D., OHSU School of Medicine

The OHSU School of Medicine is proud to have a husband-wife team of graduates this year. Portlander Kaeley Kaplan met Illinois native Josh Kaplan while both were undergraduate students at the Colorado College. The two were drawn to OHSU for its dual strengths in medicine and graduate studies. Josh’s fascination with movement and behavior led him to the Behavioral Neuroscience Program where he investigated cerebellar contributions to alcohol intake. He is the recipient of the 2015 OHSU 3MT competition People’s Choice Award, and helped with neuroscience outreach through the Brain-in-the-Box program and blogged for StudentSpeak.

While a medical student, Kaeley worked in the endocrinology lab at the Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, and additionally completed a pathology fellowship. She participated in both the Family Medicine Interest Group and served as the co-leader of the Pathology Interest Group. Following graduation, the Kaplans will head north to Seattle where Kaeley will complete a family medicine residency with Swedish Medical Center, and Josh has accepted a post-doctorate position at the University of Washington to conduct autism research.

Jake Creviston, D.N.P., OHSU School of Nursing

Jake Creviston grew up in a family of nurses in rural Oklahoma. With an inherited passion for the profession, he was drawn to OHSU’s evidence-based education to build his own experience focused on patient-centered care. At OHSU, Jake’s emphasis has been divided between practicing as an advance-practiced psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in both integrative care and intensive case management, and leadership development pursuits. He has conducted nursing missions to Central America and Africa, where he helped to build a medical clinic for Ugandan refugees. In 2014, he was recognized as one of 10 recipients of the new Breakthrough Leaders in Nursing award created by the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, a joint initiative of AARP and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Following graduation, Jake plans to continue his nursing practice in addition to achieving tenure as a Linfield College School of Nursing professor. Further, Jake is leading a statewide effort, extended from the national Nurses on Boards Coalition, to increase the number of nurses on health care boards across Oregon.

Allison Gille, Pharm.D, M.B.A., OSU/OHSU College of Pharmacy

To Allison Gille, pharmacy provides an opportunity to impact patient care in a variety of different ways from community engagement to in-patient hospitals and ambulatory care. During her time at the OSU/OHSU College of Pharmacy, Allison contributed to research on type II diabetes and cognitive decline in older adults, resulting in several poster presentations at the OSHP Annual Seminar, OHSU Research Week and ASHP Midyear. She additionally represented OHSU/OSU at the APhA National Patient Counseling Competition, served as a Student Health Advisory Committee Representative and worked as a Student Ambassador. A native of Salem, Ore., following graduation Allison will complete an ambulatory care post- graduate year residency with VA San Diego Healthcare System.

OHSU 2015 DEGREE DATA

OHSU School of Dentistry degrees

Doctor of Dental Medicine - 77

Advanced specialty degrees

School of Dentistry Total — 94

OHSU School of Medicine degrees                              

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) – 110

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) – 41

Master’s degrees – 160

Combined degrees - 13

Associate’s degrees - 28

Bachelor’s degrees - 54

Graduate certificates – 55

School of Medicine Total - 461

OHSU School of Nursing degrees

Bachelor’s degrees

Doctoral degrees

Master’s degrees

School of Nursing Total - 477

Oregon State University/OHSU College of Pharmacy degrees – 84

OHSU GRADUATION CEREMONY DETAILS

A convocation ceremony for all schools will take place at 11 a.m., Friday, June 5, 2015 at the Oregon Convention Center (Exhibit Hall D) located in downtown Portland, Ore.

Shortly following the ceremony, graduates of the OHSU School of Dentistry, School of Medicine and School of Nursing will move to their individual school hooding ceremonies - also at the convention center - to be recognized for their academic achievements. OHSU administration will host receptions for all graduates, faculty, family and friends, following the ceremonies.

Hooding ceremonies for the Oregon State University/OHSU College of Pharmacy will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 12, at the OSU campus in Corvallis. Additional details are available via the College of Pharmacy website.

Ceremonies for OHSU Schools of Nursing in Ashland, Klamath Falls, La Grande and Monmouth will take place June 11, 12 and 13. Information for these campuses is available via the School of Nursing website.

 

OHSU Communications
503 494-8231