School of Medicine & Health Sciences recognizes more than 220 graduating health sciences students
GRAND FORKS, N.D. — In addition to the dozens of new medical doctors who graduated from the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS) last week, the School is recognizing more than 220 students from its health sciences programs who are graduating on Saturday, May 17.
One such student is soon-to-be doctor of occupational therapy (OTD) Kaitlyn Wanner, who is one of 45 new OTDs coming out of the SMHS this spring.
“I went into my freshman year of undergraduate school not sure of what path I was going to take for a profession,” admitted the Bismarck native. “During my sophomore year I joined the student occupational therapy association club and began to have a passion for occupational therapy. After learning more about the profession and getting to see the amazing resources within the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, I knew UND would be the best place to continue my education.”
And now, said Wanner, she is headed back home to begin an inpatient OT position at Sanford Hospital in Bismarck.
“I chose UND because of the culture of the campus and all of the opportunities there are at the University,” Wanner said. “I feel fully prepared to enter into a job post-graduation, as the OT program equipped me with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to continue to learn and grow into an occupational therapy practitioner.”
Occupational therapy notwithstanding, health sciences departments represented at UND’s undergraduate and graduate student commencements this spring and summer include not only eight master and doctoral graduates of the School’s many biomedical and clinical and translational science programs, but students from programs in medical laboratory science (75), physical therapy (50), Indigenous health (1), public health (9), athletic training (4), and physician assistant studies (32).
Among those 32 new physician assistants is Evie Reynolds, a Minot, N.D., native who served as her cohort’s class representative with the North Dakota Academy of Physician Assistants.
“Reflecting on the past two years, it is hard to believe how quickly the time has gone,” said Reynolds. “I’m incredibly thankful for all my preceptors and amazed by how much we learned in such a short time. I am especially grateful for the relationships I have built along the way and for the unwavering support of my friends and family.”
Since its founding in 1905, the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences has graduated more than 10,000 professionals working in the health sciences in North Dakota and around the country. Several of the School’s programs, including the School’s world-first, medical college-based Department of Indigenous Health, will see additional graduates at UND’s Summer and Winter Commencements.
For her part, Carly Fornshell, who hails from Bismarck, N.D., will be taking her doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree to Alexandria, Minn., to begin practicing outpatient physical therapy, treating orthopedic, women's health, and rural clients.
“I chose UND for physical therapy because it’s regarded as one of the top health sciences schools in the area – and it was more affordable than other schools I was considering,” said Fornshell, who worked in the SMHS Simulation Center while a UND student. “The physical therapy program has wonderful professors and provides top notch educational opportunities. And the Simulation Center opened my eyes to the value of education through simulation. This also allowed me to connect with other programs and people within the School, and I am grateful for these opportunities.”
UND Department of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) major Anna Buskness agreed.
“Looking back, I can’t say enough good things about UND’s MLS program,” smiled the Carrington, N.D., native, who is set to begin working in a medical lab in Grand Forks soon. “The faculty and staff are top tier. They truly care about each student’s success. They are not only amazing educators, but also excellent mentors who have helped me grow both professionally and personally. I’m incredibly grateful for everything I’ve learned here.”
“We want to extend congratulations to all of the graduates of our many health sciences programs,” added David Relling, P.T., Ph.D., associate dean for health sciences at the SMHS. “They have completed rigorous educational programs and are well prepared to provide high quality, collaborative care in today’s complex healthcare environments. Most of all, we want to recognize the substantial positive impact that health sciences graduates will have on the thousands of patients they will work with throughout their careers.”
SMHS Dean Dr. Marjorie Jenkins, who also serves as UND’s vice president for health affairs, also gave her congratulations to the new health professionals.
“Our School proudly celebrates our graduates, including health science graduates from our occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant, medical laboratory science, athletic training, and Master of Public Health programs,” said Jenkins. “Plus our graduate programs in biomedical sciences, pathology, and Indigenous health. Our alumni serve throughout our state, delivering top-quality healthcare and enhancing the lives of all North Dakotans."
# # #
Brian James Schill
Director, Office of Alumni & Community Relations
UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences
701.777.6048 direct | 701.777.4305 office
brian.schill@UND.edu | www.und.edu