Rutgers School of Health Professions (SHP) hosted its convocation ceremony at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark on May 17, conferring degrees upon 529 students and honoring student excellence in academics, service, and clinical experiences.

Every seat was filled at the 46^th annual celebration, only the second held in person since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was live-streamed to nearly 2,500 additional viewers.

The ceremony opened with an up-tempo rendition of the national anthem sung by Laura Acosta, who received her doctorate in clinical nutrition.

Gerard Fluet, associate professor in the Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences, was chosen as the gonfalonier honoree for this academic year. Fluet is well-known to faculty and staff for his collegiality and collaboration, hallmarks of the Rutgers School of Health Professions.

Recognized for his passion for teaching students and providing exceptional patient care, Fluet exemplifies the type of excellence in scholarship and service that made SHP strong during the pandemic.

Kristen Hamilton applauded the 2023 graduates for doing what she said, “under normal circumstances is challenging, but during a pandemic is nearly impossible.”

Hamilton, who completed her doctorate in the clinical nutrition program, shared how her professional and personal lives fell out of balance during the eight-year-long road to completing her doctorate while a working mother of two. She also credited encouragement from her peers with getting her through tough times.

“When I started sharing my challenges, I realized I wasn’t alone. What I was experiencing, so many of my peers were experiencing too! I found encouragement in that,” said Kristen.

With the affirmation she received, Hamilton became a tutor while completing her degree—cheering for the successes of her peers.

Awards of Excellence winners who were recognized at the convocation ceremony are:

• 2022 Bergen Medal of Excellence:  Tapan Patel, Doctor of Physical Therapy ‘23
• Distinguished Alumni:  Cindy M. Saladin-Muhammad, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Toxicology ’91 from the Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program
• Distinguished Service: Rebecca Shulman M.A., senior program director of Jewish Vocational Service of MetroWest New Jersey
• Excellence in Teaching: Stephanie Hubbel, lecturer in the Speech Language Pathology Program
• Excellence in Research: Weili Lu, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions

Harvey Palalay’s journey began in the Philippines where, despite his parents’ best efforts, his large family was unable to make ends meet. “For someone living in poverty, dreaming is a luxury we can’t afford,” said Palalay, a graduate of the Master of Science in Health Informatics program.

At a young age Palalay was compelled to contribute to his family’s income so his younger siblings would have the same educational opportunities as he had. At age 13 he awoke in the middle of the night to every weekend to walk four hours round-trip to buy fresh produce he would then repack and sell at a markup.

“The profit I made wasn’t much, but I knew in my heart that education is our only way out of poverty.”

Palalay achieved his dream of studying in the US via SHP’s online master’s program in Health Informatics. “It has not only provided me with a high-quality education, despite the distance… [it has also] been instrumental in helping me achieve one of my greatest accomplishments: publishing a manuscript in respected peer review journal.”

Harvey encouraged graduates to use their own influence to “take a chance on people, and help them make their dreams a reality too.”

These awards are presented on the recommendation of program directors or faculty members to graduates in approved programs who have excelled academically and/or clinically in their educational programs. The Service Award is presented to those who have contributed outstanding service to the community, the school, the university, or the health professions.

During Convocation, the late Michael Cammett, Jr. was awarded an honorary physical therapy. Michael passed away after his first year as a doctoral student in the physical therapy program. “From the beginning of his first year, Michael was the embodiment of what a physical therapist should be. He was always positive and engaged in active learning,” said then program director Nancy Kirsch

Cammett, age 24, was considered a beacon of encouragement, often helping fellow students through the rigor of homework and classes. Classmates remember him as a selfless and caring soul, who helped others be the best versions of themselves.

“Michael Cammett was an integral part of the DPT Class of 2023,” said Kirsch. “He was passionate about his future career in physical therapy. Although Michael had just started his rotation, he was already doing what was most important to him—volunteering with the PT pro bono clinic and making a difference by changing one life at a time.”

Cammett’s family and friends accepted the award on his behalf.

This year’s convocation featured congratulatory messages to the 2023 graduates broadcasted on closed-circuit TV in the venue throughout the ceremony. Well wishes were submitted by family and friends through an app.