GALVESTON, Texas - Ninety-five students will receive degrees from the School of Health Professions at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in a 2 p.m. ceremony, Friday, Aug. 14, at the Moody Gardens Convention Center. In addition to baccalaureate and master’s degrees, this is the first time doctoral degrees in physical therapy will be awarded.

A total of 44 students will receive bachelor’s degrees in clinical laboratory sciences and respiratory care; 30 will earn master’s degrees in physical therapy, physician assistant studies and occupational therapy; 21 will earn doctoral degrees in physical therapy.

Elizabeth Protas, vice president and dean of the UTMB School of Health Professions, will officiate at the graduation; and Karen R. Chapman, director of rehabilitation services and the director of the Center for Weight Management at UTMB, will deliver the commencement address.

Chapman, the school’s 2009 Distinguished Alumna, received her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from UTMB and specializes in outpatient orthopedic rehabilitation and injury prevention.

According to Protas, the respiratory care graduates have already passed their National Board for Respiratory Care Entry Level Examination, qualifying them to apply for state licensure. Some of the clinical laboratory science graduates will take entry-level positions in a variety of settings, including in hospitals and clinics, and some will move directly into graduate programs.

“These graduates represent an outstanding group of students,” said Protas. “Most of our master’s degree graduates are occupational therapists who completed their curriculum in the spring and are already working in professional positions.”

Four graduates will be honored for exceptional contributions. Sara Jean Wilson, clinical laboratory sciences graduate, will receive the John G. Bruhn Award for Professionalism; Nhan Van Le, respiratory care graduate, and Neha Mather, physical therapy graduate, will both receive the Interdisciplinary Studies Leadership and Humanism Award; and Anissa Elizabeth Hill, occupational therapy graduate, will receive the Student Honor Award.

Other departmental honors will be awarded to the following students:

  • Melissa Kay Schell, Award for Excellence in Practice in Occupational Therapy.

  • Anissa Elizabeth Hill, Outstanding Graduate Award in Occupational Therapy.

  • Sheetal Hasmukh Shah, Professional Excellence Award in Occupational Therapy.

  • Heather Elizabeth Strahan, Service Award in Occupational Therapy.

  • Erika Salazar, Outstanding Respiratory Care Clinical Student Award.

  • Heather Michelle Mills, Outstanding Respiratory Care Academic Student Award.

Established in 1968, the UTMB School Health Professions has educated more than 6,500 professionals who currently serve in the nation’s health care workforce. The school helps meet the health care needs of our community by preparing students to enter such professions as physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, clinical laboratory scientist and respiratory care.