College Sends Grads into Their Futures
Latest Wave of PAs, Advance Practice Nurses, Public Health Practitioners, Educators Ready to Serve Communities Across Nation
The College of Education and Health Sciences at Touro University California celebrated Commencement May 20 at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, honoring the latest physician assistants, nurses, public health practitioners, and educators to join the ranks of the College’s alumni in serving communities across the country.
University officials during the ceremony also awarded TUC’s first Honorary Master of Public Health degree to Obie Anthony, who spent 17 years in prison for a crime he did not commit and used his experience to found the organization Exonerated Nation.
Anthony helped to champion Obie’s Law, described as a landmark California policy that provides vital support to those who are exonerated for their wrongful convictions and are re-entering society. He is now recognized as a national leader in supporting those affected by wrongful convictions.
A Commencement Ceremony to Remember
Campus Vice Provost Dr. Steve Jacobson, Interim Dean at the College, served as emcee. He was joined by Campus Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Tami Hendriksz, and Dr. Patricia Salkin, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost of the Graduate and Professional Divisions for the Touro University System.
“I am delighted to celebrate the achievements of our graduates today, and to recognize all those who have supported their goals and believed in their dreams every step of the way,” Salkin said.
The College’s Class of 2025 included:
- 45 students who earned double Master’s degrees through the Joint Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies/Master of Public Health program.
- 22 students who earned their MPH degree. Of those, 15 earned dual Doctor of Osteopathy degrees from either TUC or its sister campus in Nevada, while two others earned dual Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from TUC.
- Six students who earned an advanced Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate from the School of Nursing, and another 25 who earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree.
- Nine students who earned Master’s degrees from the Graduate School of Education, as well as 54 others who earned administrative or teaching credentials.
Students from each of the four programs in the College selected one of their peers to represent their respective cohorts: Yasmin Nicole Khodayari represented the School if Nursing, Jennifer Banta represented the Graduate School of Education, Anthony Brown represented the MPH program, and Vincent Duong represented the Joint MSPAS/MPH program.
College Alumna Offers Inspirational Message to Graduates
Raluca Basilic, a 2023 graduate of the Master of Science in Nursing program and a 2024 graduate of the Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate program, served as the alumni speaker.
“Your hard work has not simply equipped you with tools. It has provided you with the capacity to heal, educate, and transform,” Basalic told graduates of the School of Nursing, Public Health, Joint Physician Assistant Studies/Public Health, and Graduate School of Education as they completed Master’s, Certificate, and Credential programs. “Remember, as you join the ranks of health care and education professionals, you carry the responsibility to not only treat but to uplift our communities.”