Congratulations to the April Class of 2023
On Thursday, April 20, Baptist Health Sciences University held a spring commencement ceremony at Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, Tennessee. President, Dr. Betty Sue McGarvey, conferred associate and bachelor degrees to 119 graduates in the programs of Biomedical Sciences, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Health Administration, Medical Radiography, Neurodiagnostic Technology, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Pre-Health Studies, Radiation Therapy, Respiratory Care, Nursing, and our first graduating class of Surgical Technology.
Dr. Barry Schultz, provost of Baptist University, recognized special honors including graduates for magna cum laude, summa cum laude and cum laude.
Mrs. Beverly Jordan, Board of Directors Chair, presented the Board of Directors award to Ann-McKeel Durham. The award recognizes a graduate who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance, leadership skills, commitment to community service, commitment to Christian principles, and potential for leadership in the health care professions.
Ms. Sherita Martin, director of development for the Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation, presided over the following awards: Elizabeth Farnell Achievement Award, Joseph H. Powell Award, Sarah Ainsworth Award, Dr. Ling H. Lee Achievement Award, Dr. John F. Rockett Award and Dr. Emmel Golden Award.
The Elizabeth Farnell Achievement Award was presented to Brittany Collins. This award is named in memory of Miss Elizabeth Farnell, Vice President of Nursing for Baptist Memorial Hospital from 1971 to 1991. This award was established by her colleagues to honor the many contributions of Miss Farnell to the nursing profession during her 20 years of service. The recipient of this award has attained the highest cumulative grade point average among entry into practice nursing graduates.
The Joseph H. Powell Award was presented to Mahalia McKain. The award honors Mr. Powell, former Chief Executive Officer of Baptist Memorial Hospital and Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation. Mr. Powell provided a noteworthy legacy of leadership in health care and community service. The recipient of this award has demonstrated outstanding academic performance and the potential for advanced study in the health sciences.
The Sarah Ainsworth Award was presented to Michael Faulkner. Established by a gift from her husband, Jim, this award honors the dedication and commitment Mrs. Ainsworth made to helping her students learn and grow as health care professionals. The recipient demonstrates leadership potential, commitment to Christian values, and is ranked in the top 25% of the graduating class.
The Dr. Ling H. Lee Achievement Award was presented to Khitam Hamad. This award is named in memory of Dr. Ling H. Lee, a longtime radiologist at Baptist Memorial Hospital. In addition to his outstanding career as a radiologist, Dr. Lee was an inventor who was awarded seven patents for various inventions The recipient of this award has attained the highest cumulative grade point average among the Medical Radiography graduates.
The Dr. John F. Rockett Award was presented to Ann-McKeel Durham. This award is named in memory of Dr. John F. Rockett, an esteemed nuclear medicine physician at Baptist Memorial Hospital, who demonstrated a commitment to teaching, research, and the practice of medicine. The recipient of this award has demonstrated outstanding academic performance in research methodology and a commitment to excellence in clinical practice in the field of Nuclear Medicine.
The Dr. Emmel Golden Award was presented to Cassie Nielsen. This award is named in honor of Dr. Emmel Golden, an esteemed pulmonologist, who is a champion for respiratory care and health sciences education. The recipient of this award has attained the highest cumulative grade point average among the Respiratory Care graduates.
2023 Honors Scholars
On April 18, 2023, 14 scholars, Grace Babcock, Megan Balash, Brittany Collins, Jasmine Dunn, Ann-McKeel Durham, Kenedie Fossett, Lia Freeman, Michaela Hudson, Marley Kelley, Samantha Kelley, Nicholas Ray, Jeffery Rhea, Kelli Rhea, and Hannah Warner were recognized at Baptist Health Sciences University’s Honors Medallion Ceremony. Honors Program Coordinator, Dr. Paul Criss, states, “The Honors Medallion Ceremony recognizes the accomplishments of graduating Honors students. We have fourteen students graduating at the December 2022 graduation ceremony. The students presented and defended their Honors Capstone Experience Projects at the Honors Form VII on March 30, 2023 as the opening event of the inaugural BHSU ELEVATE Student Research Symposium.”
Congratulations, graduates! On behalf of Baptist Health Sciences University and the Alumni Association, it is our pleasure to officially welcome you to our team of alumni. You are a special part of our BHSU family, a connection that will remain with you for the rest of your life. As you begin your journey in your career, please know that you have a tremendous amount of support surrounding you. We wish you the very best and continued success in the fulfillment of your calling. Keep us updated at [email protected].