Personal Connection Defines Physician Assistant Class of 2024 Graduation Ceremony

Friday, July 26 marked the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University Physician Assistant Program’s seventh graduation. Throughout the ceremony, enthusiastic cheering from both the overflowing audience and the Class of 2024 itself echoed around historic Mitten Hall with every name called.  

“Amid all the exams and patient encounters, we always made it a priority to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and staff retirements,” Class President Amy Lee, PA-C, said of the class members’ close-knit relationships. “So, aside from all the stress and tears, there was still lots of laughter and singing.” 

While the rigorous nature of the 26-month program was referred to in almost every speech given that afternoon, it was almost always accompanied by the acknowledgment that the path forward was discovered, and renewed, together, as a class. 

“...During our time spent in Kresge C...  day in and day out, we discussed complex medical cases, celebrated birthdays,” said Class Vice President Nahomie Occean, PA-C, “and, perhaps most importantly, learned the true meaning of teamwork.” 

The ceremony’s distinguished speaker, Nicole L. Griffin, PhD, Professor of Biomedical Education and Data Science at the Katz School of Medicine, recalled the class’s first day in the program to help provide perspective on the magnitude of the accomplishment they were celebrating. 

“We met on Friday, May 27, 2022,” she said. “You may recall feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension. It was the day that you would meet your first patient, your donor. Now, 791 days later, I wonder how you view that moment.” 

Shifting her thoughts toward the future, Dr. Griffin reminded the 33 members of the Class of 2024 that all journeys, especially careers in medicine, much like human anatomy, can set off in unexpected directions. For the ambitious, she warned, it can feel like a setback initially. But with an open mind, these detours are almost always rewarding. 

“With that said, your work will involve keeping a tight schedule and following steps that will ensure that you get from point A to point B with your patients,” she said. “As you know, one critical sequence in medical care is diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. A team of researchers from Stanford refer to these components as ‘active ingredients.’ What these researchers discovered was that additional elements, often seen as secondary to medical expertise, also significantly affect patient outcomes. These factors include addressing patients by their names, smiling, and maintaining eye contact. Such simple gestures foster connection, which, in turn, can improve your patient’s health trajectory.” 

Amy J. Goldberg, MD, FACS, The Marjorie Joy Katz Dean,, noted that these gestures are part of “the art of medicine,” a core component of a Katz  education. 

“All PA programs teach the science of medicine because all PA students need to pass those dreaded licensing examinations,” she said. “And we know your knowledge base is outstanding by how well you do on your boards. But at Temple, we also instill ‘the art of medicine’ – the touch, the connection, the humanity, and the compassion – so that on day one, you will have an impact and make a difference.” 

Christine Mount, MS, PA-C, Physician Assistant Program Director, took the sentiment a step further, defining this impact as the ability to truly see and hear a patient. 

“The most important impact you will have every day is if you treat each patient as if they are your only patient,” she said. “Take the time. You will be surprised how far lending an ear will go in establishing trust, building rapport, and generally just making the patient-provider relationship better – for both of you.” 

As evidence of how meaningful this relationship can be for both parties, the class invited Dennis McCrossen to speak at the ceremony. He has become a beloved participant in the physician assistant program’s patient simulations. It was clear he felt the same fondness for the graduates. 

“To say this experience has exceeded my expectations is an understatement,” McCrossen said. “I’m proud of each of you for your accomplishments and your zeal to do the right thing, and to be the best versions of yourselves.” 

During the ceremony, awards for Academic Excellence, Professional Excellence, and Excellence in Leadership were announced. In addition, two students were inducted into Pi Alpha National PA Honor Society, along with the Medical Director of the Physician Assistant Program, Saqib Rehman, MD, MBA, chosen by the students as an honorary inductee. 

The day before the ceremony, in the Commons at the Medical Education and Research Building, the Class of 2024 showcased the capstone projects it had been developing for the last year-and-a-half. Working one-on-one with a mentor, the graduates learned how to process research to help them answer a clinical question and, ultimately, provide their future patients with the most informed care. As part of the project, each graduate developed a paper and poster,  which they presented as the final step of their curriculum. 

For the closing act of their graduation ceremony, Mia Watson, PA-C, President of the Class of 2023, guided the graduates through the physician assistant oath. But first, she shared some advice from her first year of practice. 

“As you embark on this next chapter of your career, I encourage you to stay curious and never stop learning,” she said. “Medicine is an ever-evolving field, and there is always something new to discover. Embrace each opportunity for growth, and don’t be afraid to push the boundaries of what you know. Your education does not end here; it is a lifelong journey.”