2020-COMMENCEMENT-PROGRAM-ONLINE-VERSION

T H E 14 T H C O M M E N C E M E N T JA M E S E K H I L DR ET H S R., P H D., M D., P R E SI DE N T & C E O PR E SI DI NG Invocation Reverend Robin H Kimbrough-Hayes Chaplain and Senior Advisor to the President, United Methodist Church Affairs The National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key Performed by Ghislain Cohen, SOD-2 The Black National Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by J.W Johnson and J.R Johnson Ms Cohen Opening Remarks James E.K Hildreth Sr., Ph.D., M.D President and Chief Executive Officer Greetings Nelson L Adams III, M.D Chairman, Board of Trustees Daphne C Ferguson-Young, D.D.S Interim Chair, Faculty Senate Introduction of the Speaker President Hildreth Commencement Address Altha J Stewart, M.D Senior Associate Dean, Community Health Engagement, School of Medicine University of Tennessee Health Science Center; Memphis, Tennessee Presentation of Candidates for Degrees Dr Adams and President Hildreth Conferral of Degrees and Professional Oaths School of Graduate Studies Oaths and Pledge Evangeline Motley-Johnson, Ph.D., Dean School of Dentistry Dental Oath Cherae M Farmer-Dixon, D.D.S ’90, MSPH ’94, FACD, Dean School of Medicine Hippocratic Oath Digna S Forbes, M.D., Interim Dean The Induction of Graduates into the Alumni Association Lewis Hargett, M.D President, Meharry National Alumni Association Recognition of Certificate in Health Policy Awardees A Dexter Samuels, Ph.D Executive Director, Center for Health Policy Special Recognition President Hildreth Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award from the Arnold P Gold Foundation Kelley M Denton, M.D Graduating Senior Richard A Akatue, M.D Associate Professor, Department of Medicine The Meharry Medical College Alma Mater Ms Cohen Closing Remarks President Hildreth The Benediction Reverend Kimbrough-Hayes The Recessional “The Prince of Denmark March” by Jeremiah Clarke Presentation of candidates in Commencement video program by Monique Bennerman, M.D., FACP Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Meharry Medical College School of Medicine Musicians for video program: Alton Gibson, keyboards • John Lutz, trumpet • MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE F RO M THE P R E SI DEN T JAMES E K H ILDRETH, P H.D., M D., P RESIDENT & C EO For the graduates of the Class of 2020, the novel coronavirus, while it has inserted itself into the well-being of our communities, has not changed our enthusiasm to recognize your accomplishments Never before have our hearts been so full of pride for a graduating class as they are now We have high expectations of you We believe you will refine the practices of medicine, dentistry and public health You will confront the way things have been done to find new ways to them You will find new abilities and methods in caring for your patients and communities You will develop ways to advocate for your patients and fight for health equity for all, regardless of race, class or gender During this pandemic, we are encouraged by vignettes of humanity around us—the kindness, creativity, invention, giving and altruism—rising to meet the challenge And then there’s the heroism on display everyday by those in the thick of the fight in places like New York, Detroit and New Orleans, where health care workers labor to the point of exhaustion and go home to grab a few hours of sleep only to return to the same nightmare Perhaps this is actually a test It’s a time for all of us to look around ourselves and evaluate what’s really important What we really treasure? What are we really made of? If providence has ever thrown down a gauntlet before a select group of people, it certainly has now And for those joining that select group—physicians and dentists, biomedical Ph.D.s, and those with careers in public health—you’ve worked very hard to get to this day, and the next phase of your work is cut out for you Meharrians must model the collegial, professional atmosphere of collaboration with other health care colleagues in the fight against this disease Each of you in this graduating class is a beacon of light in a world troubled by the virus, whatever your chosen field Congratulations to all of you! Never before in the history of the world has your keen insight been needed as much as it is now The Kaiser Family Foundation says there are nearly 1.2 million professionally active physicians and dentists in the U.S today Of that 1.2 million, there are about 7,000 practicing Meharrians That’s a little more than one in 200—just over one-half of one percent Someone once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world— it’s the only thing that ever has.” Today, you are joining that small group of thoughtful, committed citizens the world knows as Meharrians Welcome to the fold 145TH COMMENCEMENT • C OM M E NC E M E N T S PE A K ER A LT H A J S T E WA R T, M D Altha J Stewart, M.D is Senior Associate Dean for Community Health Engagement for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis An Associate Professor and Chief of Social and Community Psychiatry, she is also Director of the Center for Health in Justice Involved Youth at the UTHSC In 2018, she became the 145th President of the American Psychiatric Association, the first African American elected to this position in the 175-year history of the organization Prior to joining the faculty at UTHSC, she served as Executive Director of the Memphis/Shelby County System of Care program A native of Memphis, Dr Stewart worked for decades as CEO/Executive Director in large public mental health systems in Pennsylvania, New York and Michigan, overseeing the management and development of programs for persons with mental illness and substance use disorders She received her medical degree from Temple University Medical School and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Regis College in 2006 and Doctor of Science from her alma mater, Christian Brothers University in Memphis, in 2018 Dr Stewart is past president of the Black Psychiatrists of America, the Association of Women Psychiatrists and the American Psychiatric Association Foundation She is the recipient of the Memphis Child Advocacy Center Community Advocate Award, the Black Psychiatrists of America Lifetime Achievement Award, the HealthCare Hero–Physician Award from the Memphis Business Journal and the 2019 Annual Africa in April Executive of the Year award • MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE M E H A R RY M E D I C A L C O L L E G E Meharry Medical College, a United Methodist Church related institution, is the nation’s largest private, independent, historically black academic health sciences center whose primary focus is educating health science professionals Since 1876, Meharry Medical College has been a leading educator of African-American physicians, dentists, biomedical scientists and public health professionals Our mission is to improve the health and health care of minority and underserved communities by offering excellent education and training programs in the health sciences, placing special emphasis on providing opportunities to people of color and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, regardless of race or ethnicity; delivering high quality health services and conducting research that fosters the elimination of health disparities Meharry Medical College is particularly well known for our uniquely nurturing, highly effective educational programs We have a growing emphasis on health disparities research and deliver culturally relevant, culturally competent evidence-based health services Year after year, we make a significant contribution to the diversity of the nation’s health professions workforce Access to health care for the underserved and underrepresented continues to be a top priority for the nation An Institute of Medicine report, “Unequal Treatment,” found that the sources of disparity in health care are complex They are rooted in historic and contemporary inequities involving many participants at several levels, including health systems, utilization managers, insurers, health care professionals and patients The key solution, according to the report, is substantially increasing the number of underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities among the nation’s health care workforce We are proud that Meharry Medical College graduates are part of this solution More than 80 percent of our medical and dental graduates practice in underserved communities The education of graduate students in the fields of biomedical research and public health continues to be a high priority at Meharry There is a growing national shortage of African-American science faculty, especially biomedical scientists, at the college level Meharry is proud of its Ph.D., MSPH and MHS programs that address this national need to educate the next generation of scientists and health care professionals The Center for Health Policy at Meharry Medical College is strategically housed here to provide leadership in health policy education, training and research to doctoral, medical, dental and graduate students 145TH COMMENCEMENT • ACA DEM IC DR E SS Academic regalia worn today originated in the universities of the Middle Ages, when a warm gown and hood were useful for scholars and clerics in unheated buildings The distinctive gown served to set the student apart from his fellow citizens, hence the perennial controversy between “town and gown.” Until after the Civil War, students at most American universities wore caps and gowns daily while in residence They varied in design until the American Intercollegiate Commission standardized them in 1984 At that time, it was decided that all robes would be black: bachelor’s gowns were made of worsted stuff with pointed sleeves; master’s gowns were of silk with long closed sleeves and doctor’s gowns were of silk with longer sleeves, faced with black velvet from hem to neck and back Scholars also wore three velvet bands around each sleeve above the elbow Hoods are made of the same materials as the gowns, the length varying on the degree Only the lining of the hood indicates the university by its colors The border of the hood indicates the academic discipline in which the degree is earned Throughout the United States, there has been no change in the standard colors that represent the disciplines The color facing the hood, whether it is black or colored, indicates the following: brown: architecture and the fine arts; citron yellow: social work; dark blue: philosophy; kelly green: medicine; lemon yellow: library service; light blue: education; light brown: business; lilac: dentistry; olive green: pharmacy; orange: engineering; peacock blue: international affairs; pink: music; purple: law; scarlet: theology; white: arts and letters; crimson: journalism and golden yellow: science • MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE TH E S Y M B OL S OF C ER EMON Y THE SEAL Seals have been part of university ceremony since the Middle Ages A college or university seal is one of its more important symbols of office, the legal mark of the school’s governing body Used to authenticate official documents such as diplomas and legal records, the seal is different from the school logo, with strict rules associated with its application—only certain institutional ceremonies, documents and events allow the use of the seal With gold braid at its perimeter, the seal of Meharry Medical College contains three smaller escutcheons surrounding an inverted delta at center representing the institution’s three schools of study: (clockwise from the top) the School of Medicine, the School of Dentistry and the School of Graduate Studies and Research Emblazoned with the College’s motto, “Worship of God Through Service to Mankind,” the seal exhibits the institution’s founding year, 1876 T H E M AC E Academic maces—formidable staffs of wood, metal and gems—are descended from war clubs carried in medieval times by the bodyguards of civil officers Eventually carried as symbols of royal authority, earliest maces were carried by sergeants-at-arms in England in the early 12th century The academic mace is used only on formal occasions when participants are in full regalia and symbolizes the authority invested in the president by the school’s governing body The mace is an integral part of convocation and commencement processions and exercises as well as the inauguration of a new president T H E M E DA L L I O N The presidential medallion is the official insignia of Meharry Medical College It is worn by the president during academic ceremonies The presidential medallion depicts the official seal of the college in bronze Links of the chain are engraved with the names of Meharry’s past presidents and their terms of office, symbolizing the continuity of responsibility in the office 145TH COMMENCEMENT • A N ACT OF K I N DN E SS In the 1820s, 16-year-old Samuel Meharry was hauling a load of salt through the Kentucky wilderness when his wagon slid off the road into a muddy ditch With rain and nightfall limiting his options, Samuel searched for help Peering through the darkness, he saw a modest cabin that was home to a black family recently freed from slavery Ignoring risks involved in responding to a stranger’s knock on the door, the family—still vulnerable to slave hunters paid to return freedmen to bondage—gave Samuel food and shelter for the night At morning’s light, they helped the young visitor raise his wagon from the mud and Samuel continued on his way The black family’s act of kindness touched young Samuel so deeply that he vowed to repay it “I have no money now,” he said as he departed, “but when I am able, I shall something for your race.” Tragically, history never recorded the name of the courageous black family, and perhaps their identity even receded in the mind of Samuel as he grew prosperous in the years that followed Even so, 40 years later, as the Civil War ended and black citizens began their long struggle for rights guaranteed by the Constitution, Samuel seized an opportunity to redeem his vow When leading Methodist clergymen and laymen organized the Freedmen’s Aid Society in August 1866, to “elevate former slaves, intellectually and morally,” Samuel acted He and his four brothers—Alexander, David, Hugh and Jesse—pledged their support to Central Tennessee College’s emerging medical education program With $30,000 in cash and real property, the Meharry brothers repaid the black family’s “Act of Kindness” with one of their own In 1876, they funded the College’s Medical Department which evolved over time into what we now know as Meharry Medical College Today, the contemporary Salt Wagon image symbolizes those several acts of kindness and philanthropy and countless others performed by the College’s loyal supporters • MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES All names, degrees, theses and dissertation titles were submitted and approved by the dean for each school and were confirmed to be accurate for publication in the 2020 Commencement Program The Horace Wells Senior Student Award Sponsored by the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology This award is presented to the graduating senior who demonstrated outstanding achievement in Anesthesiology Recipient: Marie Cineus The Whip Mix Corporation 2020 Hanau “Best of the Best” Award for Excellence in Prosthodontics This award is presented to a senior dental student who has excelled in the study and clinical application of Prosthodontics Recipient: Jordan Pierre The Ewell-Neil Graduate Research Award Recipients: Christopher Butler Jimmy Gibson National Dental Association Recipients: Andrew Aboagye-Kumi Botros Aiyad Cecilia Akintonde Arash Arab Mena Azab Frederick Banks Jr Carlton Baskin Matthew Bidwell Alexandria Bilunas Isaac Brown Kamilah Brown Tatyana (Penn) Brown Christopher Butler Kenneth Carter Jr Marie Cineus Michele Collins Feyishayo Dahunsi Jordan Douglas Kadene Falconer Jerren Ferguson Makenzie Fortney Crystal Fuller Jimmy Gibson Thomas Gillcrist Sarah Glenn David Gonzalez Asia-Bryanne Greenleaf Surbhi Gupta Chantai Harris Brittney Hawkins Raven Jackson Hirut Manmektot Kassa Alexys Kelly Tiara Marshall David McNutt Zelexis Morse Amstrong Njinguet Pauline Pham Jordan Pierre Cherie Ransby 38 • M E H A R R Y M E D I C A L C O L L E G E Keturah Richardson Kristen Ricks Morgan Rigsby Trent Roberts Ryanna Robinson Owen Rockett Kerwin Scott Se’Quon Scott Indi Shelton Tumani Sissoko Christina Smith Robert Spaulding Cre’Andria Thompson Brianna Tucker Nora Walker Brittany Willis Wremaine Wilson Anqi Zheng ACA DEM IC ACH I EV EM EN T I N T H E D O C T O R O F M E D I C I N E P RO G R A M The following School of Medicine graduates were elected to membership as Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society Scholars Lauren Blake Mina Botros Ashanta Brady Sky Dainty Naimah Dease Nichelle Enata Shara Fuller Kartemus Heary Yvan James Artrish Jefferson Chukwuemeka Obi Kelyn Pittman Bisola Salisu Stephanie Wiafe Aaron Yazdian The following School of Medicine candidates qualify for graduation with Highest Honors Ashanta Brady Chukwuemeka Obi High Honors Saresh Akmal Brianna Arrington Kristina Black Lauren Blake Mina Botros Robert Boyd Lucas Carver Sky Dainty Naimah Dease Nichelle Enata Shara Fuller Raphi Hambartzhumian Kartemus Heary Yvan James Artrish Jefferson Kelyn Pittman Ramsis Ramsis Bisola Salisu Mariel Watkins Stephane Wiafe Aaron Yazdian Honors Adeniyi Abimbola Dennis Adaaquah Harrison Agyeman Chidi Amah Whitney Allen Joel Alvarez Benjamin Browne Paula Bugg-Wrenn Andrea Burroughs Haley Cabiness Miguel Carpio Dajah Chase Hunkyo Chung Shaleeka Cornelius Kelley Denton Derek Fitzgerald Jermaine Foster Herbert Giles Cecilia Jimenez Brittany Landry Charles Latimore Ketialie Laroche Ivan Leroux Kendarrious Lewis Alexander Lopez Christian McClairen Deneshia McIntosh Daniel Mikhail Kayla Moore Galen Nailor Ebubechi Okwumabua Simbiat Olayiwola Margie Rayford Ashley Serjilus Kwaku Yeboah Andrew Youssef 145TH COMMENCEMENT • 39 The Student with the Highest Grade Point Average in the M.D Program The recipient of this award is a senior medical student who has achieved the highest Grade Point Average in the School of Medicine Recipient: Chukwuemeka Obi The Tennessee Academy of Family Physicians Award The recipient of this award is a senior medical student chosen by the Tennessee Academy of Family Physicians, who has exemplified academic excellence and plans to pursue a career in Family Medicine Recipient: Joel Alvarez The E Perry Crump, M.D Award in Pediatrics This award is presented to the fourth-year graduating medical student who exemplified the highest qualities of scholarship, aptitude and proficiency in the pursuit of excellence in the study of pediatrics Recipient: Robert Boyd The Lloyd C Elam, M.D Professionalism Award This award was established by the faculty of the School of Medicine to recognize two senior medical students (one male and one female) who, throughout their matriculation, exemplified the characteristics of scholarship, integrity, professionalism, high moral standards and humanism in the delivery of health care Recipients: Kelley Denton Galen Nailor The G.P.A Forde Award This award, established by the Bolden family, is given to encourage proficiency and excellence in internal medicine and is presented to the senior medical student who, in the opinion of his/her mentors, exhibited the highest potential as a diagnostician Recipient: Chukwuemeka Obi The Rafael Hernandez, M.D Award in Psychiatry This award was established by the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences to pay tribute to a distinguished pioneer in the field and to promote student interest and proficiency in psychiatry A monetary award and a certificate of merit are awarded to the senior student who demonstrated excellence in clinical psychiatry and/or research related to the field Recipient: Kelley Denton The Randle E Pollard, M.D Award for Excellence This award was established by Randle E Pollard, M.D., Class of 1951, and is presented to the most outstanding student in surgery Recipient: Botros Minas 40 • M E H A R R Y M E D I C A L C O L L E G E The Nelson H Stringer Jr., M.D ’73 Excellence in Obstetrics and Gynecology Award This award is given to a graduating student who intends to pursue a career in obstetrics and gynecology and has demonstrated academic excellence as determined by the Office of Student and Academic Affairs The award is named in honor of Dr Nelson H Stringer Jr., a 1973 graduate of Meharry Medical College and obstetrician/gynecologist who practiced in Chicago, Illinois Recipient: Sky Dainty The Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award presented by The Arnold P Gold Foundation This award is presented to the senior medical student who best demonstrates the Foundation’s ideals of outstanding compassion in the delivery of care, respect for patients, their families, and health care colleagues, as well as demonstrated clinical excellence Recipient: Kelley Denton The Charlotte R Walker, M.D Surgical Award This award was established by the family of the late Charlotte Rose Walker, M.D ’64 and the Matthew Walker Surgical Society The award is given to an outstanding graduating senior medical student who is planning a career in surgery or the surgical subspecialties This student exemplifies the prevailing characteristics of Dr Walker: compassion, integrity, humility and excellence Recipient: Ebubechi Okwumabua The Matthew Walker Surgical Society Award This award, established by the Matthew Walker Surgical Society, recognizes students who demonstrated excellence in surgery and compassion for the underserved Recipient: Deneshia McIntosh The Gladys M Williams, M.D Award This award is presented to a senior medical student who demonstrated the best clinical judgment in the management of difficult clinical cases as determined by the teaching faculty Recipient: Artish Jefferson 145TH COMMENCEMENT • 41 G E N E R A L C O M M E N C E M E N T A WA R D S The Department of Family and Community Medicine Merit Award The recipient of this award is a fourth year medical student, in good standing at Meharry Medical College, who matched in a Family Medicine Residency position The student should exhibit great leadership ability and be committed to family and community health care Recipient: Verniecea Harris The National Medical Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology Section Scholarship This award is given annually to a deserving minority medical student from Howard, Meharry, Drew, and Morehouse by the NMA, based on selection criteria developed by the local departmental faculty This scholarship is presented each year at the clinical meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Recipient: Sky Dainty The Hinds-Hawthorne Award This award is given to graduating medical students who have expressed a strong interest in the study of cardiovascular diseases The award is named in honor of Edmund S and Ruby L Hinds, who suffered the ravages of cardiovascular renal disease and Edward William Hawthorne, M.D., Ph.D., a leading medical scientist whose work was pivotal in the understanding of modern cardiovascular and kidney diseases in man In honor of his parents and mentor, this award was established by the late Joseph E Hinds, M.D., Ph.D., FACC, who was the Director of Clinical Research and former Chair in the Department of Internal Medicine at Meharry Medical College Recipient: Chidi Amah The Merck, Sharpe and Dohme Research Award The purpose of this award is to honor the graduating senior medial student who is inspired to save and improve lives through research Recipient: Deneshia McIntosh The L.T Miller Award This award is presented to the senior medical student(s) who best exemplified the goals and mission of Meharry Medical College over the entire four years of study Recipients: Mina Botros 42 • M E H A R R Y M E D I C A L C O L L E G E The Elva M Risby Memorial Scholarship This scholarship was established in memory of Elva M Risby, who was employed at Meharry Medical College for 26 years, having spent 12 years of her employment as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs in the School of Medicine The award is presented for the purpose of assisting the recipient in relocation as they prepare for residency training Recipient: Victor Nnah 145TH COMMENCEMENT • 43 TH E A L U M N I OAT H I, having been given the opportunity to enter the health sciences as a provider and/or researcher, hereby pledge to give my support to Meharry Medical College and The Meharry National Alumni Association, Inc I will encourage gifted, mission oriented students to consider Meharry as the institution for study in the health sciences I will network with my fellow Meharrians I will give generously of my finances to the extent that I am able to so I will always conduct myself in a manner to make my alma mater, Meharry Medical College, proud 44 • M E H A R R Y M E D I C A L C O L L E G E A LUM N I R ECOGN I T ION T H Y E A R A WA R D S C L A S S OF 1970 Marian I Allman, M.D Celia P M Amoroso, M.D Richard P Anderson, D.D.S Marshall D Banks, M.D Jean A Belton, M.D Jasper E Benton, MT Edmund C Bolton, M.D Dino R Boni Jr., M.D William L Bowles Jr., D.D.S Ralph M Boyd, D.D.S Eugene H Burton III., D.D.S Doris P Carter, MT Barbara J Chandler, DH Renard A Charity, M.D Cordell Clark, M.D Louis P Clark,Jr, M.D Harry T Coleman Jr, D.D.S Patricia A Corry, M.D James R Cowan Jr., M.D Marjorie A Daniels, DH Joseph H Davis Jr., D.D.S Jack K Deitchman, M.D Gwendolyn F Dunn, D.D.S Mark Ellis, M.D Tellis B Ellis III, M.D Jeffrey A Fisher, M.D Mattie E Foston, MT Bobby Gibbs, D.D.S Samuel Gottesman, M.D Walter C Gough, M.D Thomas L Gregory, D.D.S Saundra E Griffin, MT Roy B Guster Jr., D.D.S Carolyn G Hall, DH Ferris E Hallmark, M.D Milton H Hamblin, M.D Richard W Harding, D.D.S Marge L Harper-Upshaw, M.D Bertron D Haywood, M.D Richard W Hoffler Jr., M.D Deirdre C HollowayWaterman, M.D David H Horowitz, M.D Harvey Howard, D.D.S Carolyn K Ivory, M.D John A Johnson, D.D.S Permon J Johnson, M.D Elisha H Jones III, M.D Joseph C Jones, M.D Mark D Kalish, M.D Francis F Kayira, M.D Ronald M King, M.D Alvin W Larkins, M.D Kuok-Seek Lau, D.D.S Julius Ligon Jr., D.D.S Mark S London, M.D Charles L.B Lord, D.D.S Scott M Lowe, M.D James O Lowry, M.D David N Magazine, M.D William F Marsh, D.D.S Janice C Matthewson, M.D Linda J Mattison, MT Walter P Maynard, M.D Durnell McLaughlin, M.D Charles T Mebane, M.D Council Miller Jr, M.D Thomas F Morgan, M.D Ronald B Neal, M.D Howard Newmark, M.D Vaughn M Oliver, D.D.S William T Ong, M.D Steven G Parnes, D.D.S Eldridge H Pearsall, M.D David A Phillips, M.D William A Reid, M.D Stephen C Rochman, M.D Hugh R Savage, M.D Ira L Scott, D.D.S Alvin J Smith Jr, D.D.S Rudolph V Smith, M.D Bruce David Soloff, D.D.S Brenda B Spriggs-Wiley, M.D Otto E Stallworth, M.D Michael L Streams, M.D Paul A Talley, M.D Junius L Taylor III, D.D.S Edward M Townes III, D.D.S William Truly Jr., M.D Kenneth D Turner, D.D.S Maxwell E Vanderpool, D.D.S Edmund F Walsak, D.D.S Clifford B Ward, D.D.S B Clifton Whitworth, D.D.S Zealous D Wiley Jr., M.D Bernard A Wilkins Jr., M.D Cathleen C Willis, DH Joseph K Winfield, M.D 145TH COMMENCEMENT • 45 A LUM N I R ECOGN I T ION T H Y E A R A WA R D S C L A S S O F 95 Larry D Alexander, Ph.D Tamara A Alexander, MPH Joseph L Andris, M.D Kenneth M Bakari, MPH Mohamed A Baksh, M.D Theodore Banks Jr., M.D Joyce Barbour, D.D.S Belinda Kaye Bart, M.D Deborah A Beal, D.D.S Rosalyn Beaty, M.D Andrea Bell-Willis, M.D James T Black Jr., D.D.S Lisa Denise Blackmon, D.D.S Annette Cecillia Blakes, M.D Deborah A Boan, M.D Debbie R Brewer, M.D Denise Cherie Bridgeford, M.D Chandra C Brown, D.D.S Coretta Stephanie Brown, D.D.S Marlon A Brown, D.D.S Charmaine Mercedes Browne, M.D Michael D Bryan, M.D Sonya W Buchanan, M.D Rebecca Suzanne Bumpus, DH Kimberly Ann Burdette, M.D Elcid V Burkett, D.D.S Teresa G Burgher, DH Tara Lavern Burnett, M.D Rochelle Antoinette Butler, D.D.S Jacqueline K Butler Mitchell, D.D.S Alberto Cadena, M.D Donna Kay Carter, DH Tecora V Cartwright, M.D Terrence Lamont Cason, D.D.S Darrick Lavone Castleberry, D.D.S Steven L Chisolm, M.D Mary Helen Collins, DH Marvin Conrad, D.D.S Felicia L Cummings, MPH Sherri Cummings, MT Byrolyn G Davis, M.D Gerri L Davis, M.D Monica Leigh Davis, M.D Brian P Despinasse II, M.D Tisha L Dixon, DH Juanita Dortch-Carnes, Ph.D Ernest E Dowdy Jr, D.D.S Richard Brown Dunning Jr., D.D.S Brenda F Durbin, DH Valentine Anayochi Duruibe, M.D Eric J Echols, D.D.S Terry Louis Etters, D.D.S Fredrick Alexander Ferguson, M.D Ulysses D Findley, M.D Eugene A Gallagher, MPH Melissa Ann Galloway, DH Cristina Garcia, D.D.S Tomiko Michelle Garrett, D.D.S Justin Gatebuke, MPH Emmanuel Ghansah, Ph.D Wanda Diane Gibson, D.D.S Kimberly R Goods, MPH Maxie L Gordon, M.D Akili H Graham, M.D Dawn B Griffin, Ph.D., MSPH Jacob Griffin, D.D.S 46 • M E H A R R Y M E D I C A L C O L L E G E Tricia N Guidry, M.D Anthony Hall, D.D.S Steven E Hall, M.D Lovie A Hall-Stallworth, M.D Thomas Joseph Haplin Jr., MT Patricia Williams Harden, DH Andrew Harris, D.D.S Angela Harris, D.D.S Dana Marchelle Harris, D.D.S Twiggy L H Harris, M.D Dana M Harris-Echols, D.D.S Angela J Harris-Hargrett, D.D.S Lisa M Hayes, MPH Anthony Leroy Henry, D.D.S Kimberly LeAnn Henson, DH Shaun A Hicks, M.D Benjamin H Hill, M.D Tracy R Hines, DH Lydia Jan Holt, DH Larry L Hobson, M.D Frederick T Hodges, M.D Sonja J Hughes, M.D Michael C Ilagan, M.D Benita Sheree Jackson, D.D.S Harold Oran Jackson, D.D.S Deloris Jackson, DH Inger J Jackson, MPH Mohammad Jahangir, MPH Vivian C Jenkins, DH Babita Jha, M.D Robert T Jimmerson II, M.D Tracey Yvette Johnson, MT Geoffrey E Jones, M.D Shirley E Jones, M.D Shirley Jones-Lathon, D.D.S Walter John Jung IV, D.D.S Lisa J King, M.D Kathy R Kulak, DH Rhonda J Kuykindoll, Ph.D Bertram E Lacey, M.D Lisa Lasater, DH Jameece Darcell LatimerWalton, MT Rhonda Lynne Lemons, D.D.S Milton Lanard Lewis, D.D.S Carl Philemon Little, D.D.S Micah M Lockhart, DH Lyndee Kaye Long, DH Lanah Nicole Lucius, DH Dale Preston Manuel, D.D.S Donald A Maynard, M.D Alissa L McCormick-Reese, DH Marty Anne McLaughlin, DH Carina Joy McPhee, MT Lawrence A Mellion, MPH Tammy P Miller, M.D Darlene M Miranda, M.D Laura C Mitchell, DH Sekou F Molette, M.D Betty Dillon-Moore, D.D.S Nora Annette Mosley, D.D.S Ryan S Moxon, D.D.S Robert Shekiaeli Mushi, MT Kelly J Morgan, MT Kelly J L Morgan, MT Robin Lee Nelson, DH Julio C Novoa, IV, M.D Emmanuel N Ozimba, M.D Douglas W Pahl, M.D William H Palm, M.D Deborah D Parker, MPH Kimberley L Perkins-Davis, D.D.S Dewayde C Perry, M.D Nga B Pham, M.D Phuong-Anh T Pham, M.D Harold Phillips, M.D Jeannette M Pope-Ozimba, D.D.S Shirley J Radford, D.D.S Keith G Ramsey, M.D Ricardo Jose Rankin, D.D.S Clarence J Red III, D.D.S Alissa Louise Reese, DH Charita S Reese, M.D Maria E Regal, D.D.S Eugene Reynolds II, M.D Barbara L Ricks, M.D Corey Anthony Robertson, D.D.S Kya R Robottom, M.D Erica M Royal, M.D Toya V Russell, MPH Roger Antonio Saenz, D.D.S Shelia R Sanders, M.D David A Schwartz, M.D Kiernan A Seth, Ph.D Warren B Shaffer, M.D Cassandra Shields, MT Masih Shokrani, MT Gerold N Sibanda, M.D Lucy B Sloan, D.D.S Frank C Smeeks III, M.D Cassandra M Smith, Ph.D Sonya L Smith, DH Deborah A Som, M.D Joydeep Som, M.D Penny Kay South, DH Tiffanie R Spearman, MPH Janet A Stoddart, D.D.S Renee Sunday, M.D Holli Dale Swift, DH Karen Dawn Tate, DH Philip K Talley, D.D.S Christopher J Talley, Ph.D Marysia Lynn Taylor, D.D.S Ann K Temple, DH Aurelia Michelle Thomas, D.D.S Donna Lewis Thompson, DH Michele M Turner, M.D Steven Wade, MPH Sharon Waites, D.D.S Daniel P Walker, MPH Harold L Wallace Jr, MPH Johnsie H Wallace Gault, MPH Patrick Antwon Pryor Wakefield, DH Pamela D Warren, M.D Shana R Warren-Byers, D.D.S Angela D Watson, MPH Ronda M Whitley, M.D Deirdre M Wilson, MPH Faye S Wilson, M.D Lori Wilson, D.D.S Ashley A F Woods, M.D Carmen M Woods-Hollowell, M.D Tracy D Young, DH 145TH COMMENCEMENT • 47 B OA R D OF TRU S T E E S Dr Nelson L Adams III, Chairman Mr Milton H Jones Jr., Vice Chairman James E.K Hildreth Sr., Ph.D., M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer Dr Raymond Akinnawo Dr Harold O Jackson Bishop Joseph W Walker III Dr Brandon Barton Jr Dr Martin D Jeffries Ms Carol H Williams-Hood Rev Greg Bergquist Dr Collis Johnson Mr James E Williams Mr Richard R Davis Mr Ruben King-Shaw Jr Dr Kenneth Williams Dr Coyness L Ennix Jr Dr Jonathan B Perlin Mr Lorenzo Williams Dr Eric A Floyd Ms Margie Rayford Dr Robert L Williams Jr Dr Dawn B Griffin Mr Edgar G Rios Dr Kevin E Woods Dr Lewis Hargett Dr Thomas A Scott Mr Aubrey Harwell Jr Dr Jeannette South-Paul EMERITUS MEMBERS Mrs M Inez Crutchfield The Honorable Mary Pruitt Dr Frank S Royal Sr Dr T B Boyd III 48 • M E H A R R Y M E D I C A L C O L L E G E TH E C OL L E G E O F F IC E R S A N D DEA NS OF T H E S CHOOLS James E.K Hildreth Sr., Ph.D., M.D President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Edmund Millet, Ph.D., HSP Executive Vice President Lamel Bandy-Neal, MBA Senior Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer Cherae M Farmer-Dixon, D.D.S ’90, MSPH ’94, FACD Senior Vice President, Dean, School of Dentistry Evangeline Motley-Johnson, Ph.D Interim Dean, School of Graduate Studies and Research Digna S Forbes, M.D Interim Dean, School of Medicine Duane T Smoot, M.D., FACP, FACG, AGAF Interim Senior Vice President, Health Affairs Ivanetta Davis Samuels, J.D Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Saletta Holloway, Ed.D Senior Vice President for Board of Trustees Relations and Assistant Corporate Secretary Patrick H Johnson Senior Vice President, Institutional Advancement A Dexter Samuels, Ph.D Senior Vice President, Student Affairs Patricia Matthews-Juarez, Ph.D Senior Vice President, Faculty Affairs and Development Sandra A Williams, MPS Chief of Staff and Director, Title III Administration 145TH COMMENCEMENT • 49 T H E S TA R - S PA N G L E D B A N N E R WOR DS A N D M U SIC BY F R A NC I S SC OT T K EY, 1814 O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave? 50 • M E H A R R Y M E D I C A L C O L L E G E L I F T E V E RY V O I C E AND SING WO R D S BY J A M E S W J O H N S ON , 189 M USIC BY JOH N R JOH NSON , 1899 Lift every voice and sing, till earth and Heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of liberty; Let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun, of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered; Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou Who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou Who hast by Thy might, let us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand, True to our God, true to our native land 145TH COMMENCEMENT • 51 A L M A M AT E R WOR DS BY E M E RY L R A N N , M D ’48 M U SIC BY T H EODOR E S T E N T, M D ’48 Steadfast and strong Majestic in thy might Shining in glory From her lofty height Our Alma Mater Wreathed in beauty stands, Guiding our lives Our rev’rence she commands Help us who strive In serving mankind’s needs; To share thy love In doing noble deeds With grateful praise and lasting faithfulness, O, Meharry, guide us In our quest 52 • M E H A R R Y M E D I C A L C O L L E G E