ĐÔ°źÌìÌĂ

By Dave DeFusco

In a ceremony marked by compassion, resilience and hope, graduates of the Health Sciences at the Katz School of Science and Health gathered on May 27 to celebrate a milestone that was years in the making. The Lamport Auditorium pulsed with emotion as aspiring physician assistants, speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists—each forged by demanding training and shaped by moments of profound human connection—stepped forward not only to receive their degrees, but to embrace the responsibilities of healing and advocacy that now define their professional path.

In her remarks, Dr. Selma Botman, provost and vice president for academic affairs, praised the graduates for their unwavering dedication and deep alignment with the values of Yeshiva University. Recalling how ĐÔ°źÌìÌĂ asked how they could give back to the school that changed their lives, she said, “By becoming leaders, supervisors, mentors.”

“The health profession is complex, challenging and ever-changing, but you have been supremely trained to meet the demands you will face, and you have the commitment to serve,” she said. “Graduates, your work is essential. Your contributions and your dedication to humanity, humbling for all of us.”

Among the many poignant reflections of the day was a speech by Arielle Caplan, a graduate of the Occupational Therapy Doctorate whose clinical experience illustrated the power of patient-centered care. She recalled working with a man recovering from surgery at the Upper East Side Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility. Together, they focused on life’s everyday movements—showering, getting in and out of a car, using a cane. Months later, she ran into him at a community event. He was not yet fully recovered but was filled with pride.

“He told me that he had taken the skills I taught him and made them part of his life. He had left rehab more independent and more confident,” said Caplan.

She said that conversation reminded her that their work doesn’t end when someone walks out the door. 

“It also highlighted something else I’ve learned here at Katz: the importance of personalizing care. Not just treating a diagnosis, but seeing the whole person in front of you. Understanding what they want to get better at, not just what we think they need. That mindset—focusing on what matters most to the individual—is what makes occupational therapy both powerful and deeply human.”

In a powerful display of academic rigor and clinical mastery, numerous ĐÔ°źÌìÌĂ were honored with awards that highlighted their excellence in leadership, scholarship and service.

• Arielle Caplan, Ana Chilczuk and Arielle Lam, Academic Achievement Award for excellence in the classroom, clinical settings and leadership.
• Adie Brickman, Arielle Caplan and Ana Chilczuk, Clinical Excellence Award for exceeding expectations during fieldwork and exemplifying the values of scholar-practitioners.
• Arielle Caplan, Leadership Award for her ability to influence systems and individuals in the pursuit of excellence.
• Danielle Ray, Service Award for her sustained contributions to the OT doctorate program and advocacy for the profession
• Ana Chilczuk, Scholarship-Practitioner Award for intellectual curiosity during all stages of her capstone experience.
• Anthony Rubin, Medical SLP Advocacy Award for unmatched determination and professionalism.
• Terry Aflalo, National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association Leadership Award, recognizing his leadership among peers and faculty.
• Kayla Bissell and Samantha Golin, On-Campus Clinical Keys of Excellence Award
• Gabriela Portan-Ascencio and Brianna Marfa, Clinical Keys of Excellence Award for outstanding achievements in diverse clinical settings.
• Raven Horowitz and Lindsay Taylor, On-Campus Katz Academic Key of Excellence, awarded for near-perfect GPAs and high professionalism.
• Shonit Alon, Chava Schwartz and Rafvette Vega Colon, Speech-Language Pathology Academic Achievement Award for scholarly excellence and deep commitment to their future patients.

While the May commencement was the public celebration, the journey toward professional excellence was already well underway. In December, 31 ĐÔ°źÌìÌĂ in the M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies participated in their Completion Ceremony at the Yeshiva University Museum—an intimate gathering that marked their transition into clinical practice.

• Molly Weir, Scholarship, Advocacy and Professionalism Award
• Noah Newlon, Merit and Integrity Award
• Natalia Aneiros and Kristen Hass, Clinical Excellence Award
• Alexandra Tetreault, Peer Award, chosen by her classmates

Five PA ĐÔ°źÌìÌĂ—Kristin Haas, Noah Newlon, Simone Northman, Alexandra Tetreault and Molly Weir—were inducted into the prestigious Pi Alpha Honor Society, recognizing leadership, service, research and academic excellence.

In one of the most symbolic moments of the May 27 ceremony, Dr. Marissa Barrera, assistant dean of health sciences, presented white coats to graduating clinicians in MedSLP and OT.

“A white coat is a powerful symbol of professionalism, compassion, trust and clinical responsibility,” she said. “It marks a significant milestone: the transition from classroom-based learning to the application of clinical skills in real-world healthcare settings.”

That theme—of transition, identity and purpose—was echoed in a deeply personal speech by Jillian Rossi, a 2023 graduate of the M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology. Rossi, a former musical theater performer, recounted how an acute vocal hemorrhage forced her to pause her career and eventually inspired her to pursue speech-language pathology.

“I felt like losing my voice would be losing myself,” said Rossi. “Voices are as unique as fingerprints. My voice embodied a near lifetime of dedication, discipline and care to develop and preserve it. What would happen to my career? Would I ever recover from this physically, let alone professionally?”

After surgery and a long recovery, Rossi reclaimed her voice—and her purpose. She credited Dr. Barrera for unwavering support: “When I shared my aspirations, Dr. Barrera said something I’ll never forget: ‘If there’s any way I can help you, I promise—I will never say no to you.’ Boy, did she make good on that promise!”

In her closing reflection, Rossi honored the ĐÔ°źÌìÌĂwho championed curiosity and humility in clinical practice.

“To be a good speech pathologist is to live in the tension between mastery and curiosity,” she said. “You are now stewards of hope for those seeking agency through personal freedom, whether vocal or physical. As a wise Professor Christler often reminded me at the end of many an email: be brave.”