ATSU-ASHS hosts 2020 virtual commencement ceremony
Posted: June 5, 2020
A.T. Still University-Arizona School of Health Science (ATSU-ASHS) hosted a virtual commencement for its graduating class Friday, June 5, 2020. The ceremony was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The class of 2020 included 348 graduates between the residential and distance learning programs. Graduates from distance learning programs earned their master of occupational therapy, master of physician assistant studies, doctor of athletic training, doctor of audiology, or doctor of physical therapy degree. Graduates from the residential programs earned their master of athletic training, master of occupational therapy, doctor of audiology, doctor of occupational therapy, or doctor of physical therapy degree.
Gary M. Wiltz, MD, served as commencement speaker for the ceremony. Dr. Wiltz is chair of ATSU’s Board of Trustees, and CEO of Teche Action Clinic, a network of 13 federally qualified community health centers in southwest Louisiana. Dr. Wiltz received his medical education at Tulane University School of Medicine and became a board-certified internist. Dr. Wiltz joined ATSU’s Board of Trustees in 2013 and was appointed board chair in 2018. Among his many honors, Dr. Wiltz received the National Association of Community Health Center’s 2018 John Gilbert Award, which recognizes people who have demonstrated a high level of excellence in the community healthcare field.
Graduates were congratulated by ATSU President Craig Phelps, DO, ’84; Norman Gevitz, PhD, ATSU senior vice president of academic affairs; and Ann Lee Burch, PT, EdD, MS, MPH, dean of ATSU-ASHS.
“You are entering a profession that serves and cares for individuals and communities, in the best of times and in the worst of times. We celebrate your graduation from ATSU today, as you exemplify all that we believe in, whole person health care, commitment to the underserved, educational excellence, and community,” Dr. Burch said. “Each choice you make as a health professional not only shapes someone else’s life, but contributes to the person you are and want to become.”
The ceremony is available for viewing at https://atsuvgrads.com/ashs/