School of Health Professions celebrates 50th anniversary and distinguished alumni
The School of Health Professions welcomed alumni, faculty, staff and university leadership to a special evening on April 27 that celebrated the school’s 50th anniversary and recognized 50 distinguished alumni.
“When most people think of healthcare, they immediately picture doctors and nurses,” School of Health Professions Dean David Shelledy, PhD, RRT, RPFT, FAARC, FASAHP, told the audience in his remarks. “And while those roles are absolutely vital, the true picture of healthcare is much, much larger. Out of the 16 million people working in the U.S. healthcare system today, nearly 12 million — about 60 percent — are allied health professionals. You are the therapists, the technologists, the scientists, the first responders and the specialists. Simply put: Without the allied health workforce, modern healthcare doesn’t work.”
Among the invited speakers were Taylor Eighmy, PhD, president of The University of Texas at San Antonio, who praised Shelledy’s leadership and the contributions the school has made to developing an essential healthcare workforce since 1976.
“The professionals trained here are an essential part of our healthcare systems,” Eighmy said. “They are the clinicians delivering expert, compassionate care, the researchers pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and the leaders advocating for their respective professions with the ultimate goal of improving health and making lives better.”
Also emphasizing the important role of the health professions in their remarks were Jennifer Milton, MBA, BSN, vice president and chief of staff of the Office of the Senior Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and Health System, and Texas State Sen. José Menéndez, District 26, who presented a special recognition to the school for its 50th anniversary.
The evening program included the recognition of alumni in five award categories, including Early Career Excellence, Community Engagement, Clinical Educator, Professional Service and Distinguished Career Achievement.
The Early Career Excellence Award recognizes alumni who have graduated within the past five years, have made remarkable early contributions to their profession and demonstrate exceptional promise for future leadership. Receiving this award were:
- Kendall Adair, Speech-Language Pathology
Sonia Benzor holds her Early Career Excellence Award. Andrew Arce Imaging Sciences
- Sonia Benzor, Occupational Therapy
- Thien Bui, Medical Sciences
- Sharon L. Chang, Speech-Language Pathology
- Kathryn Crane, PhD in Health Sciences
- Brianna Guerin, Respiratory Care
- Raquel Gutierrez, Respiratory Care
- Jadea Hill, Speech-Language Pathology
- Ashley Everett Juve, Physical Therapy
- Aaron Littlejohn, Imaging Sciences
- Matthew Lopez, Imaging Sciences
- Daniel Martin, Physician Assistant Studies
- Alexandra Mejia, Imaging Sciences
- James Plata, Imaging Sciences
- Raghad Said, Medical Sciences
- Jennifer Sanchez-Morales, Occupational Therapy
- Tiffany Wafford, PhD in Health Sciences
The Community Engagement Award recognizes alumni whose dedication has significantly improved health outcomes and expanded access to care and health opportunities in the communities they serve. Recipients include:
- Maria Analy Flores, Occupational Therapy
- Tracey Fontenot, Physical Therapy
- Jordan Ghawi, Emergency Health Sciences
- Kacey Wernli, Physical Therapy
The Clinical Educator Award recognizes alumni who have dedicated themselves to clinical teaching. Through outstanding fieldwork supervision, clinical instruction and preceptorship, these educators have shaped the clinical reasoning, professional identity and confidence of countless students. Recipients include:
- Keeley Bell , Physician Assistant Studies
- Kelcey Carrillo , Physician Assistant Studies
- Brian Ehler, Physical Therapy
- Brittany Elliott, Physical Therapy
- Natalie Garcia, Occupational Therapy
- Jennifer Harris, Physician Assistant Studies
- Daphne Hernandez, Respiratory Care
- Paola Huerta, Speech-Language Pathology
- Jennifer Kraemer, Respiratory Care
- Alyssa Laurel, Occupational Therapy
- Laura Martinez, Respiratory Care
- Amanda Martinez, Medical Laboratory Sciences
- Erica Pearce, Physical Therapy
- Louis Reyes, Medical Laboratory Sciences
- Julia Scroggs, Speech-Language Pathology
The Professional Service Award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and advocacy on behalf of their professional communities and have taken on significant appointed or elected roles in local, state, national and international professional associations, serving on boards, task forces and working groups that shape the standards, regulations and scope of practice that define their fields. Recipients include:
- Denise Gobert, Physical Therapy
- Patricia Kaylin Sallee, Physician Assistant Studies
- Cordelia Kudika, Medical Laboratory Sciences
- Michael Sippel, Emergency Health Sciences
The Distinguished Career Achievement Award recognizes School of Health Professions alumni who have demonstrated exceptional professional accomplishments and sustained leadership throughout their careers in the health professions. Recipients include:
Distinguished Career Achievement Award recipients Craig Caya, Occupational Therapy
- Ramil C. Codina, Medical Laboratory Sciences
- Judith E. Colver, Physician Assistant Studies
- Michael Geelhoed, Physical Therapy
- Lynda Jennings, Occupational Therapy
- Armando Morales, Respiratory Care
- Bill Roberts, Occupational Therapy
- Brent Shriver, Physician Assistant Studies
- Martin Valdes, Respiratory Care
Watch the School of Health Professions' 50th Anniversary Video here.