May 11, 2026
College of Health Professions Class of 2026 is largest class to date
The Virginia Commonwealth University College of Health Professions recently held its spring commencement ceremony at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The event honored nearly 300 students across various departments including Gerontology, Health Administration, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nurse Anesthesia, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Radiation Sciences, Rehabilitation Counseling as well as its Health Services and Ph.D. in Health Related Sciences programs.
“You demonstrated tenacity and determination to achieve your goals, withstood sacrifice and hardship along the way, engaged with your CHP faculty, staff and peers to learn and grow, and now, today, that dream of graduation is realized,” said Amy Darragh, Ph.D., dean of the VCU College of Health Professions, in her commencement address. “Each of you has met and overcome challenges with grit and resolve, and each one of you has maintained a dedication to empathy, integrity, and evidence-based approaches to health care.”
According to Darragh, this is one of the largest graduating classes ever for the college. She also noted that the graduating class learned from “the very best faculty, staff, clinicians, professionals and leaders across Virginia and beyond.
“They have learned from, and with, a university community that is motivated, inventive and dedicated to the excellence and success of all people,” said Darragh. “Our successes are not achieved in isolation. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our incredible staff and faculty, who have worked tirelessly to support, guide, and mentor all members of our CHP student community. Without you, there would be no us.”
Several graduates received awards from their respective departments as follows:
Department of Gerontology
- A.D. Williams Award - Heather Kidd
- Alumna of the Year- Kiersten Ware|
- Cathy Saunders Award- Christi Clark
- Certificate Student of the Year- Kris Geerken, Kelley
- Gerontology Student of the Year Award- Morgan Carr
- Guy M. Kinman Jr. Award for Inclusive Gerontology- Anna Buxmann
- Anna Iris Parham Award- Sonya Durham, Sonya
- Marion Cotter King Award- Jo Walters Bell
- Wilkerson Award- Glynis Boyd
Department of Health Administration
- A.D. Williams Award for MSHA 2026- Krissy Bryant, Farehaa Hussain, Angela Lindsay, Douglas Wise
- A.D. Williams Award for MHA 2025- Cameron Buck, Abby Crawford, Nicholas Logan, Yusuf Mozahem, Liam Simpson
- M.H.A. Romano Prize- Cameron Buck
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences
- A.D. Williams Award for Junior Year - Jenna Carter, Isabella Cofield, Dave Neelee, Kim Ye-Jin Vex Razi-Mohammad, Jariah Oakley, Jessica Phan, Bean Phattaporn, Jayla Smith, Fiona Tozier
- A.D. Williams Scholarship 2024-2025 -Destyni Artis, Malajah Bolling, Ethan Calupitan, Marshall Dunn, Paige Faberman, Lucianna Kelly
A.D. Williams Scholarship 2025-2026- Destyni Artis, Takbir Maih, Jariah Oakley, Dharma Rampersad, Beck Shelton - Commonwealth Transfusion Foundation Scholarship- Ethan Calupitan, Jenna Carter, Jenna Paige Faberman, Lucianna Kelly, Kaitlyn Markham, Takbir Miah, Vex Razi-Mohammad, Carlos Morales, Jariah Oakley, Patel Aarushi, Beck Shelton, Tyra Veney, Taylor White
- Daria Downing Scholarship- Malajah Bolling
Department of Occupational Therapy
- Commonwealth of VA OT Service Award- Annalise Porreca
- Commonwealth of VA OT Research Award- Alyssa Tsui
- AD Williams OT Research Award - Ashley Cardona
- Commonwealth of VA OT Leadership Award - Morgan Sbraccia
- Commonwealth of VA Admissions Scholarship - Meraj Shaikh, Alyssa Tsui
- MCV Foundation Diversity Scholarship - Shannon Butler, Ziya Bradby, Gabriella Domster, Karla Estrada, Brianna Henriquez, Davonte Holmes, Ivanna Ortega, Morgan Sbraccia, Ame’a Wilson, Aliyah Woodhouse, Chelsea Rodi
- Commonwealth of Virginia Scholarship - Anthony Circeo, Iliza Guinoo,Grace Morrill, Hannah Snodgrass, Alyssa Tsui
- Gudger-Garris Scholarship - Ashley Cardona, Iliza Guinoo, Sydney Hilovsky, Domenica Pusic, Chelsea Rodi, Meraj Shaikh, Alyssa Tsui
- LEND-Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Disability Leadership - Domenica Pusic, Chelsea Rodi, Kaitlyn Spitler, Alyssa Tsui
- Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Award- Sydney Hilovsky
- Patti Maurer Scholarship - Annalise Porreca
- Pi Theta Epsilon Occupational Therapy Honor Society Class of 2025 - Jacob Bowling, Ziya Bradby, Ashley Cardona, Anthony Circeo, Hannah Drake, Hannah Feder, Iliza Guinoo, Sydney Hilovsky, Ivanna Ortega, Claire Reagan,Chelsea Rodi, Morgan Sbraccia, Amanda Taylor, Morgan Trimble, Aliyah Woodhouse
Department of Physical Therapy
- A.D. Williams Award- Michael Deal
- Childers Award- Latney Goodman
- Gouldin Award- Bianca Cabral Chavez
- Mac Award- William Burton
- Rothstein Award- Julia Betancourt, Sara Burtner
- Salamone Award- Andrew Bigner
Department of Radiation Sciences
- Outstanding Student Award- Mia Thomas
- Outstanding Student Award- Emily Baird, David Holman
- Tina Plaster Memorial Award (Radiography)- Makenzie Howell
Department of Rehabilitation Counseling
- Blair Craig Memorial Scholarship- Townsend Duane
- Richard Hardy Scholarship- Kevin Cottrell
- Lawton Quality of Life Scholarship- Brandon Goldstone
- AD Williams Award- Zoe Carlini, Barbara DeLeon
- Marjorie Howard Award- Megan Jaquith
- Anne L. Chandler Scholarship- Yixin Liu, Maya Poole
- Commonwealth of Virginia Award - Gilbrith Gogel, Katelynn Headley, Claire Hutcheson, Katherine Jackson, Bridget Obeng, Penny Naden
Alumni Dean’s Awards
The college also recognized alumni who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to our students and their respective communities. The Dean’s Outstanding Service Award recognizes an alumnus or alumna whose exceptional leadership, service, and dedication reflect the mission and values of the College and have created meaningful impact in their profession, community, or through sustained engagement with VCU. This year’s recipient is Anne McDonnell, OTR/L, M.P.A. Department of Occupational Therapy.
The Dean’s Benevolence Award recognizes an alumnus whose philanthropic generosity and sustained commitment have made a meaningful impact on the College, its departments, and programs. This honor celebrates individuals who leverage their financial support, expertise, and professional networks to expand opportunities and drive progress for students, faculty, and academic initiatives. This year’s recipient is Alan Keesee, M.H.A., FACHE Department of Health Administration.
“In CHP, this is our North Star, and supporting your journey towards that end is our Why. The need is urgent, the challenges are complex, and the rewards are great,” said Darragh. “We believe in you and we believe in the impact you will have on the world. I for one am relieved to know that my future is in your hands.”
For photos of the event, visit Flickr..