School of Podiatric Medicine graduates 53 doctors

By: Gladys Amador
barry-news@mail.barry.edu

President and chief executive officer of Camillus House, Paul Ahr, PhD, spoke directly to a crowd of 53 graduates and their families during Barry University’s School of Podiatric Medicine commencement. The new Doctors of Podiatric Medicine listened to his speech that included advice from Dr. Ahr’s late friend and first psychology professor, Father Henri Nouwen. He quoted “specialists can only retain their humanity in their work when they see their professions as a form of service which they carry out, not instead of, but as a part of, the whole people of God.”

An author and licensed psychologist with extensive experience in the mental health and rehabilitative treatment fields, Dr. Ahr stressed the importance of a podiatrist's job, which “dates back as early as Christianity itself” he said. He thanked the many students who gave of their time to volunteer assisting the homeless and the poor of Miami-Dade’s community with much needed foot care. Every semester, dozens of students help provide medical assistant to the center. Many of them also participate in the “washing of the feet” program at Miami Rescue Mission.

Among the graduates was Wilbur Boothby, DPM, who was presented with the Raymond D. Ibanez, DPM, Memorial Graduation Award. Presenting the $1050 prize was Ibanez’s sister, Dr. Lauren Ibanez. Boothby represented the same qualities the late Dr. Ibanez embodied. Those traits include an absolute determination, an ability to overcome adversity and maintaining a positive outlook. A graduate of 2009, Dr. Ibanez was working in Wycoff Hospital in Queens, New York finishing his residency program but died unexpectedly on October 19, 2009 at age 33. His father, Raymond D. Sr. and mother Magdalen M. Ibanez along with his brother Nicholas X. Ibanez and his sister traveled from Texas for the commencement.

Dr. John “Jack” Nelson, DPM, interim dean of the School of Podiatric Medicine, led the Oath of Hippocrates and Barry president, Sister Linda Bevilacqua, OP, PhD, conferred the degrees on the seniors.


Many awards were presented to Barry’s podiatric medicine class of 2010. They are:

Krupa Trivedi, DPM, President’s Award
Shamir Bhikha, DPM, Dean’s Award
Lauren Karger, DPM, Dean’s Award
Nicole Lynn Cupp DPM, Civic Service Award
Kristin Blanchet, DPM, ACFAS Div. 8 Surgical Scholarship Award
Kristen Diehl, DPM, Dr. Kalfas Memorial Award for Excellence in Community Health
Alexander Blaise, DPM, William Delavari Award
Stephanie Bock, DPM, Excellence in Clinical Science Award and Excellence in Biomedical Science Award
Kevin Bryant, DPM, Block Award
Ashish Kapila, DPM, Leadership Award
Kimberly Wilkins, DPM, Scholarly Development
Jaclyn Schwartz, DPM, ABPS Michael L. Stone Outstanding Prof. Conduct
Melissa Sgro, DPM, Outstanding Biomechanics/Orthopedics
Aaron Ritter, DPM, Timothy Holbrook Memorial Award
Carl Salvati, DPM, Excellence in Podiatric Dermatology
Jennifer Rosello, DPM, Excellence in Podiatric Dermatology

Pi Delta Honor Society members are:
Aaron Albers, DPM
Shamir Bhikha, DPM
Kristin Blanchet, DPM
Stephanie Bock, DPM
Kevin Bryant, DPM
Nathalia Doobay, DPM
Richard Fields, DPM
Lauren Karger, DPM
Tracy Robillard, DPM
Jennifer Rosello, DPM
Jaclyn Schwartz, DPM

Currently celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1960, Camillus House, a Roman-Catholic non-profit organization, provides a range of services at 14 sites to men, women and children who are poor and/or homeless in Miami-Dade County. Each night, more than 1,000 people spend the night under a Camillus House roof.