Dr. James Stelnicki presents keynote address for graduating class
By: Paige Stein
Forty-nine students received the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree (DPM) from the Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine at a commencement ceremony held on Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The ceremony at Broad Auditorium on the Miami Shores campus was the 20th graduation of the School of Podiatric Medicine, which now has more than 900 graduates.
The Class of 2008 is particularly noteworthy for the number of hours its members have devoted to community service – approximately 5,000-10,000 hours. Members of the class have volunteered their time and skills at geriatric and pediatric podiatric screenings throughout South Florida as well as at the Miami Rescue Mission, Inc./Broward Outreach Centers’ annual “Thanksgiving in March” event. There, student-volunteers washed and examined the feet of the homeless in the spirit of Holy Week. More than 1,000 people showed up for the event, with approximately 600 people receiving foot care.
“As a proud member of the School of Podiatric Medicine’s 20th graduating class, your continued dedication, determination, and enthusiasm for the future of podiatric medicine will carry you far within the profession,” said Dr. Chet Evans, dean of the School of Podiatric Medicine.
Dr. James V. Stelnicki of New Port Richey, Fla., the featured speaker at this year’s commencement ceremony, reminded the students that as “the most well-educated, best-trained and well-rounded” class ever to graduate their responsibilities “would be as great as their skills.” A past president and member of the Executive Board of the Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA), he established the James V. Stelnicki Scholarship for Excellence in Lower Extremity Vascular Medicine with a $100,000 gift to the University. The scholarship will award one $10,000 scholarship each year to a deserving senior podiatric medical student. During the commencement ceremony, Dr. Stelnicki was also inducted into the Barry University Society of Founders, which recognizes and honors individuals who have contributed $50,000 or more toward the mission and goals of the University.
Ginger Sellars was the class valedictorian and winner of the Dean’s Award, while Diana Rogers, president of the Class of 2008, won the President’s Award for demonstrated leadership to the Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine through recruitment, tutoring and extramural campus activities.
This year’s commencement ceremony also included the participation of a record-number of graduate family members who are practicing podiatric physicians. They are Dr. Alex Miraglia, father of Stephanie Miraglia; Dr. Vincent Pacella, uncle of Stephanie Miraglia; Dr. Jay Newman, father of Laura Newman; Dr. Robert Hoover, father-in-law of Jason Lutrell; and Dr. Philip Adler, uncle of Daniel Selbst.
In addition, to the students receiving a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, Daniel Selbst from Weston, Florida received a dual DPM/MBA, while four students, Moïse Medacier of Cap Haitian, Haiti, Danielle St. Phard, of Miami, Florida, Sherunda Simone Smith of Cincinnati, Ohio and Nooshin Zolfaghari of Miami, Florida, received a dual DPM/MPH (Master of Public Health).
The Class of 2008 is particularly noteworthy for the number of hours its members have devoted to community service – approximately 5,000-10,000 hours. Members of the class have volunteered their time and skills at geriatric and pediatric podiatric screenings throughout South Florida as well as at the Miami Rescue Mission, Inc./Broward Outreach Centers’ annual “Thanksgiving in March” event. There, student-volunteers washed and examined the feet of the homeless in the spirit of Holy Week. More than 1,000 people showed up for the event, with approximately 600 people receiving foot care.
“As a proud member of the School of Podiatric Medicine’s 20th graduating class, your continued dedication, determination, and enthusiasm for the future of podiatric medicine will carry you far within the profession,” said Dr. Chet Evans, dean of the School of Podiatric Medicine.
Dr. James V. Stelnicki of New Port Richey, Fla., the featured speaker at this year’s commencement ceremony, reminded the students that as “the most well-educated, best-trained and well-rounded” class ever to graduate their responsibilities “would be as great as their skills.” A past president and member of the Executive Board of the Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA), he established the James V. Stelnicki Scholarship for Excellence in Lower Extremity Vascular Medicine with a $100,000 gift to the University. The scholarship will award one $10,000 scholarship each year to a deserving senior podiatric medical student. During the commencement ceremony, Dr. Stelnicki was also inducted into the Barry University Society of Founders, which recognizes and honors individuals who have contributed $50,000 or more toward the mission and goals of the University.
Ginger Sellars was the class valedictorian and winner of the Dean’s Award, while Diana Rogers, president of the Class of 2008, won the President’s Award for demonstrated leadership to the Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine through recruitment, tutoring and extramural campus activities.
This year’s commencement ceremony also included the participation of a record-number of graduate family members who are practicing podiatric physicians. They are Dr. Alex Miraglia, father of Stephanie Miraglia; Dr. Vincent Pacella, uncle of Stephanie Miraglia; Dr. Jay Newman, father of Laura Newman; Dr. Robert Hoover, father-in-law of Jason Lutrell; and Dr. Philip Adler, uncle of Daniel Selbst.
In addition, to the students receiving a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, Daniel Selbst from Weston, Florida received a dual DPM/MBA, while four students, Moïse Medacier of Cap Haitian, Haiti, Danielle St. Phard, of Miami, Florida, Sherunda Simone Smith of Cincinnati, Ohio and Nooshin Zolfaghari of Miami, Florida, received a dual DPM/MPH (Master of Public Health).