2019 Graduates Honored

More than 1,000 graduates walk the stage

Congratulations to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) 2019 graduating class. This year TTUHSC graduated more than 1,000 students in medicine, nursing, health professions, biomedical sciences and pharmacy.

TTUHSC is one of the largest health care institutions in the state, with more than 28,000 alumni who impact health care throughout the U.S. 

TTUHSC students excel in academics, innovation, community outreach, and extracurricular engagement. Highest acheiving students for each school were recognized for their exceptional efforts at TTUHSC. 

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

GSBS Commencement

The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences had 69 students graduate. The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences includes programs in biomedical sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences and public health. 
 
K. Wyatt McMahon Outstanding Graduate Student –
Dylan Meyer, Ph.D.
 
Dean’s Recognition Award–
Manuel Ramos, M.S.
 
Outstanding Public Health Award–
Asher George, MPH

TTUHSC School of Health Professions

Health Professions Commencement

The School of Health Professions graduated 307 students. These students graduated from 20 diverse undergraduate and graduate programs on the Amarillo, Permian Basin and Lubbock campuses.

Dean’s Award for Excellence

Undergraduate Recipient
Felicia Ashley Williamson 
 Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences

Graduate Recipient
Rebecca Lynn Martin 
Doctor of Audiology

Research Recipient
Mark Patrick William 
PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences

TTUHSC School of Medicine

Medicine Graduating Class

The School of Medicine graduating class included 171 graduates. Graduates matched in top residency programs throughout the country with programs such as Mayo Clinic, Stanford, Emory, Naval Medical Center and Massachussets General Hospital.
 
This year’s graduating class also included three MD/PhD recipients, thirteen MD/MBA recipients, five MD/MPH recipients, and five Family Medicine Accelerated Track (FMAT) Recipients.
 
Dean’s Highest Academic Achievement Award –
Chelsea Burroughs

Dean’s Recognition Award –
Jeremiah Moon
Zachary Mortensen
Vincent Athas

Gold Headed Cane –
Andrew Hudson
 
Buesseler Award for Student Excellence –
Andrew Hudson
Ben Aziz 

TTUHSC School of Nursing

Nursing Commencement

The School of Nursing had 417 students graduate. This included undergraduate, graduate and doctoral level students.
 
Excellence in Nursing Award –
DNP –  Stephanie “Steph” Hoelscher
RN to BSN –  Melissa Castro
Traditional BSN –  Kendra Hoffman
 
Dean’s Leadership Award – 
Brennan Gillilan, Traditional BSN  
 
Turning Evidence into Action Award  – 
Reid Moore, Traditional BSN
Maura Mangan, Traditional BSN

TTUHSC School of Pharmacy

Pharmacy Commencement

The School of Pharmacy graduated 145 students this year, including students from the Amarillo, Abilene, Lubbock and Dallas TTUHSC campuses.  
 
Banner Bearer – Brendon Clough  
Bowl of Hygieia – Michael Dean 
Wolters Kluwer Excellence in Clinical Communication – Erica Dominguez
Excellence in Community Practice – Kyle Kleckner 
Superior Patient Care – Neely Hudson
Geriatrics Award – Nicole Buzzard 
Pediatrics Award – Joseph Vu 
Community Outreach Award – Lydia Girgis 
Mylan Millad – Sobhanian 
Hannah Thompson Perseverance Award – Posthumously to Hannah Thompson 

Related Stories

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Rural Adolescents

Leigh Ann Reel, Au.D., Ph.D., CCC-A, discussed the causes and prevention strategies for noise-induced hearing loss, particularly for adolescents in rural areas.

Willed Body Memorial Service Honors Those Who Donated

On Memorial Day each May, a service is conducted at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Institute of Anatomical Sciences to pay respect to the Willed Body Program donors and their families.

Molecular Pathology Preceptorship: Unmatched Value and Experience

Ericka Hendrix, PhD, MB(ASCP)CM, Program Director and Associate Professor in the Master of Science in Molecular Pathology program in the School of Health Professions spoke about the program’s preceptorship.

Recent Stories

Health

Legislative Support Strengthens Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center’s Efforts to Improve Rural Cancer Care

Support for TTUHSC continued in the 89th legislative session, including $25 million to establish the Rural Cancer Collaborative.

Education

TTUHSC’s Affordable Medical Education Empowers West Texas Students to Serve

On Friday, July 25, students marked a defining moment in their journey at the White Coat Ceremony, symbolizing not only the start of their medical education but also their dedication to the communities that shaped them.

Research

Transformative, Collaborative Gift to Accelerate Research on Urinary Tract Infections

Eliese Teasdale recently made a $975,000 gift to the TTUHSC School of Nursing to support ongoing research focusing on detection and treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women.