Saturday, the Twelfth of October
Two Thousand Twenty-Four
celebrates the conferring of
To view the video post-ceremony, visit go.geisinger.edu/mbscommencement.
I am so proud of the Class of 2024. Congratulations on your new degree and diploma!
I am impressed with your commitment to personal and professional growth and your dedication to honing your skills and knowledge. Whether you learned online or in the classroom, you used every tool at your disposal to make your graduate school experience rich, meaningful and successful. You are to be commended for that personal drive and determination, virtues that are particularly necessary for people who wish to succeed in healthcare, research and science.
I am also grateful to the School of Graduate Education staff and faculty, who work tirelessly to ensure not only academic rigor, but also the career, professionalism and community-building opportunities that distinguish a Geisinger education. These experiences will serve you well in the future — a future that will require imaginative, resourceful and courageous leaders. I am confident you are well prepared and ready to be those leaders.
Best wishes, Class of 2024!
Julie Byerley, MD, MPH President, Geisinger College of Health Sciences
Dean, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, Geisinger
Internal medicine resident at the University of Texas
During his time at our school, John Coulter, MD, distinguished himself in every possible way — academically, in leadership roles and through his community service.
He excelled academically and in research, working on an IDEA grant that examined our school’s e-Portfolio and publishing papers in peer-reviewed journals.
As both an MBS and a medical student, he was a leader who
served on Graduate Student Council and as vice president of his MD Class of ’23.
With his constant involvement in service — whether delivering food for needy neighbors or encouraging his fellow classmates with “pep texts” before big exams — he was always there for people who needed him.
Dr. Coulter exemplifies the best of Geisinger by representing our values of kindness, excellence, learning and innovation.
Welcome Jennifer Boardman, PhD
Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Associate Professor, Microbiology/Immunology
The National Anthem
Introduction of president and dean
President’s remarks
Members of Geisinger Commonwealth’s a capella groups
William B. Jeffries, PhD
Provost for Geisinger College of Health Sciences and Vice Dean for Education, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Julie Byerley, MD, MPH
President of Geisinger College of Health Sciences, Dean of Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer of Geisinger
Leadership awards .......................................................
Gregory Shanower, PhD
Assistant Dean for Graduate Program and Curriculum Development/ MBS Program Director, Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology
Welcome to the Alumni Society ............................. Christopher Boland
Director of Alumni Relations
Commencement address
Awarding of degrees
Dr. John Coulter
Internal Medicine Resident, University of Texas
Presentation of candidates.................... Jennifer Boardman, PhD
Announcing of candidates
Conferring of degrees
Final remarks from the program director
Alysha Nicholls
Director of Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions
Julie Byerley, MD, MPH
Gregory Shanower, PhD
Student engagement slide show ............................ Graduate Student Council
Geisinger College of Health Sciences is the research and education arm of the Geisinger family, system committed to making better health easier for the more than 1 million people it serves. Geisinger is the inaugural member of Risant Health, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding and accelerating the adoption of value-based care.
Founded more than 100 years ago by Abigail Geisinger, the system now includes 10 hospital campuses, a health plan with more than half a million members, and the College. The College houses a Research Institute, graduate medical education, and schools of medicine, nursing and graduate education, in addition to faculty and professional development programs.
Initially founded as The Commonwealth Medical College, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine was established to serve its Pennsylvania communities with education and research that advances opportunities and improves population health. Incorporated in 2008, the school welcomed its first class of Doctor of Medicine degree students and Master of Biomedical Sciences degree students in August 2009.
In April 2011, the newly built 185,000-square-foot Medical Sciences Building in Scranton opened its doors to house the medical and graduate degree programs.
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education granted the school full accreditation on June 27, 2014, and the Liaison Committee for Medical Education granted full accreditation on July 7, 2014. The school officially became Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine in 2017 and, with the inclusion of Geisinger School of Nursing, became Geisinger College of Health Sciences in 2022.
Community engagement is part of the fiber of Geisinger College. With more than 2,400 clinical faculty members throughout the region to provide students with meaningful clinical and research experiences and training, accountability to community is a key measure of our success. Our College builds pathway programs for local students to excel in science and health-related careers. It educates doctors, nurses and other health professionals who remain dedicated to our communities after graduation. It reaches out to agency partners to tackle the most challenging issues we face right here in our own neighborhoods. And it opens its doors to the community to connect, to share and to challenge us. For our learners, the lessons taught here help communities everywhere to thrive.
Julie Byerley, MD, MPH, President of Geisinger College of Health Sciences, Dean of Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, and Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer of Geisinger
William Jeffries, PhD, Provost and Vice Dean for Education
Christa L. Martin PhD, Vice Dean for Research and Chief Scientific Officer
Michelle Thompson, MD, Vice Dean for Graduate Medical Education and Chief Education Officer
Valencia Walker MD, MPH, Vice Dean for Health Equity and Inclusion
Nicole Woll, PhD, Vice Dean for Faculty and Professional Development and Executive Director of the Geisinger Academy of Educators
Heather M. Davis, MFA, Director of Marketing and Communications for Education and Research
Andrea K. DiMattia, EdD, Vice Provost for Education Administration
Jim Franceschelli, Associate Dean for Educational Informational Technology
Julia Kolcharno, MA, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Sonia Lobo, PhD, RYT, Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship
Gerald Maloney, DO, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs; Chief Medical Officer, Geisinger System Hospitals
Michelle Schmude, EdD, MBA, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management
Gregory Shanower, PhD, Assistant Dean for Graduate Program and Curriculum Development/MBS Program Director
Tanja K. Adonizio, MD, Vice Provost for Student Affairs
Amy Allison, MPH, MLS, Associate Provost for Library Services
Jennifer Boardman, PhD, Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Associate Professor, Microbiology/Immunology
Virginia McGregor, Chair
John C. Bravman, PhD
Benjamin K. Chu, MD, MPH, MACP
Pedro J. Greer Jr., MD
Rebecca S. Slangan, MBA, Associate Dean for Academic Administration
David B. Nash, MD, MBA
Terry Gilliland, MD, Geisinger President and CEO (ex officio)
Julie Byerley, MD, MPH, Geisinger College of Health Sciences President (ex officio)
Maame E. Addison* Bloomfield, NJ
The University of Scranton, BS
Binnie An Philadelphia, PA
Drexel University, BS
James H. Baraldi, Jr. Upper Darby, PA University of Pittsburgh, BS Temple University, BA
Andrew Louis Blum Pottstown, PA
Kutztown University, BS
Nicholas G. Borgacci Dickson City, PA
The Pennsylvania State University, BS
Carrie A. Bradley
Williamstown, PA
Susquehanna University, BS
Jannah Fatimah Bukhari Baltimore, MD University of Maryland, BA
Iyanna Lynne Cavicchio Fairless Hills, PA
St. Joseph’s University, BS
Tiffany Ann Cline Stafford, VA
George Mason University, BS
Lisandra Collazo Allentown, PA Cedar Crest College, BA
Taylor Ann Copelin New Orleans, LA Louisiana State University, BS
David Antonio Donado Allentown, PA East Stroudsburg, BS
Rachelle Franco Summit, NJ
Seton Hall University, BA
Songul Gafurova Scranton, PA
The Pennsylvania State University, BS
Nyah M. Garrison Philadelphia, PA Temple University, BS
William Gregory Gunn Beaver Falls, PA
Washington & Jefferson College, BA
Shahnoza Ikramova* Hershey, PA
The Pennsylvania State University, BS
Kaosisochukwu Glory Iwebo Baltimore, MD Temple University, BS
Amna Javeed Mechanicsburg, PA Temple University, BS
Amaya Leigh Jernigan* Waldorf, MD West Virginia University, BS
Elijah Le’Mon Johnson – Henderson
San Bernardino, CA
Xavier University of Louisiana, BS
Annie Lu San Diego, CA University of California, BS
Jenny Makhoul Allentown, PA Muhlenberg College, BS
Mahnoor Malik Overland Park, KS University of Missouri Kansas City, BS
Melanie Martinez Tobyhanna, PA Keystone College, BS
Robert T. Morgan Carbondale, PA University of Pittsburgh, BS
Quasia P. Muriel Baltimore, MD University of Maryland, BA
Anastasia George Nasr Corona, CA University of California, BS
Paul B. Ndawula Jr. Los Angeles, CA University of California, BA
Hiral S. Patel Augusta, GA Augusta University, BS
Sagar Samir Patel* Linwood, NJ Elizabethtown College, BS
Zemar Ghaffar Qazi Colorado Springs, CO Temple University, BS
Rithika Arra Reddy* Monroe, NJ University of Pittsburgh, BA
Angel Rodriguez* Islip, NY Keystone College, BS
Dibisha Roy Elmhurst, NY Hunter College, BA
Mayar A. Safwat* Lake Grove, New York CUNY Hunter College, BA
Shemyia Anyesha Smith Spartanburg, SC University of South Carolina, BS
Labeebah Kofoworola Subair Brooklyn, NY Yale University, BS
Shekiel V.T. Sydney Brooklyn, NY Medgar Evers College, BS
Roger E. Van Varick Stroudsburg, PA The University of Scranton, BS
*Recognized for their work on Graduate Student Council.
Note: All students listed in this program will not necessarily complete all graduation requirements by Oct. 12, 2024.
Geisinger College of Health Sciences delivers education and training focused on the unique needs of our communities. We are grateful to the donors who support our work and share our vision for making better health easier for everyone. In recognition of their philanthropy and with sincere thanks for their support, we acknowledge the following friends.
Annual scholarships:
Appleseed Scholarship Fund of The Luzerne Foundation
Commonwealth Scholarship
Angela Fricchione Cupple and Michael Cupple
Annual Scholarship
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Student Scholarship funded by Employees
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Alumni Scholarship Fund
Hawk Family Foundation Annual Scholarship
Jennifer A. Sidari, MD ’13 Memorial Scholarship
John and Helen Villaume Foundation Annual Scholarship
John J. and Nancy S. Menapace Annual Scholarship
Louis Mastro Annual Scholarship
Mark H. DeStefano Annual Scholarship
Mr. Andrew and Dr. Susan Sordoni Annual Scholarship
Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation Scholarship
Sanofi Pasteur Annual Scholarship
Sarah Wright Memorial Annual Scholarship
Taylor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Health and Wellness Fund of The Luzerne Foundation
Wilkes-Barre General Hospital Auxiliary Fund
Scholarship through The Luzerne Foundation
Endowed scholarships:
Myer Alperin Family Medical Scholarship
Michael and Louise Altier Medical Endowed Scholarship
Bannon Family Endowed Scholarship
Benkovic Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship
Daniel Reese Price and Carolyn Warren Price Endowed Scholarship
The Dean Steven J. Scheinman Endowed Scholarship
The Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Foundation Endowed Scholarship
Dr. Gino and Mrs. Jean Cavalieri Mori Endowed Scholarship
Fidelity Bank Endowed Scholarship
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Endowed Scholarship
Gov. and Mrs. William W. Scranton Endowed Scholarship
InterMountain Medical Group Endowed Scholarship
Janet Townsend, MD, and Henry Geisinger Endowed Scholarship
Jean Shields Endowed Scholarship
Jean and Gene Stark, Arlington Industries Endowed Scholarship
Jennifer A. Sidari, MD ’13, Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Louis Mastro Endowed Scholarship
Lynett-Haggerty Families Endowed Scholarship
Nesbitt Family Charitable Foundation Endowed Scholarship
Pat and Lois Bruno Endowed Scholarship in Pediatrics
Sheila S. Miller Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Sarah Wright Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Strony Family Endowed Scholarship
The Henry C. Jones, MD, Memorial Endowed Scholarship