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Worcester Campus Holds Commencement for 201 Nursing & Pharmacy Graduates
A record 201 students received Doctor of Pharmacy and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees at the MCPHS-Worcester/Manchester Commencement exercises on May 17 at the historic Hanover Theatre in downtown Worcester. The graduates hail from as far away as West Africa and Iran and as close as Central Massachusetts (43 students). Forty-nine of the students are graduates of the Manchester campus’ Doctor of Pharmacy program.
Eric Schultz, President and CEO of Fallon Community Health Plan, delivered the Commencement address and also received an honorary degree from MCPHS President Charles F. Monahan Jr. Schultz told the graduating class of pharmacists and nurses that they have an awesome power, and an awesome responsibility to help patients. “Your face will be the face of hope, the face of compassion, the face of medicine,” he said. “You will improve lives. You will save lives. You will come face to face with those whose lives cannot be saved.”
Student addresses were given by Ian Trefethen, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Richard Lufkin, Doctor of Pharmacy. Trefethen, a Sharon, Mass. native, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst with a major in psychology. Before entering MCPHS, he worked with adolescents in outdoor education programs and with adults in community mental health settings. While at MCPHS, Trefethen pursued his interest in expanding access to health care by serving as Treasurer of Nursing Students Without Borders (NSWB). He plans to work as a nurse and live in Boston. In his remarks, Trefethen told his classmates he had a dream in which Florence Nightingale gave him sound advice. “We are a critical part of moving her work forward,” he said. “It is an honor and a great responsibility to do so.”
Lufkin is from Seminole, Fla., where his interest and work in pharmacy began at age 16. He studied economics at the University of Florida prior to arriving at the Manchester Campus in 2006 to enter the PharmD program. During his time at MCPHS, Lufkin assisted in research regarding potential barriers in distance education, served as an academic tutor, and was President of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. After graduation, he will begin a general pharmacy practice residency at Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Healthcare Service in St. Petersberg, Fla. Lufkin reminded the graduates that the hard work has only just begun. “We are here today because we have passion for what we do as pharmacists,” he said. “Just remember the experience or moment that gave you passion for pharmacy, and you will always feel like a great pharmacist.”
Presiding over the presentation of degree candidates were Michelle Kalis, Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost and Jean Joyce-Brady, Dean of Students. Serving as College Marshals were: Joyce-Brady, Bonnie Laurent, Instructor of Nursing; and Anna Morin, Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice.
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