A Shared Dream

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams," Salkin said, before adding: "Graduates, believe in your dreams. Dream boldly, dream generously, dream in ways that lift others as you rise."

The graduates seated before her represented campuses in Long Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Middletown, and Skokie, Illinois, and disciplines ranging from physician assistant studies and physical therapy to speech-language pathology, counseling, nursing, applied behavior analysis, and many more.

Among them was Lucas Quelle of the Long Island/NUMC Physician Assistant Program.

"I've given so much for so long. It was challenging physically and mentally," he said. "We're celebrating everything we've done and everything that's to come."

Quelle will soon begin work in the emergency department of his local hospital.

"As a PA, we're pillars of the healthcare world and deliver high-quality care," he said. "It's a great role to step into."

Another graduate, Ochanya Atayi, found her way to the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program through her son's autism diagnosis. After seeing how ABA benefited him, she decided to pursue the field herself.

She said the skills she learned in the program strengthened her relationship with her son.

"The professors are very supportive," she said. "They check in and they're easy to approach."

Service, Compassion and Care

Earlier in the ceremony, Salkin reminded graduates that compassion remains central to healthcare.

"Today, we celebrate more than your academic achievement," she said. "We celebrate your readiness to step into one of the most important roles in society."

Salkin noted that graduates are entering a healthcare system increasingly shaped by new technologies, including artificial intelligence.

"It will be a powerful tool in your hands, but it will not replace you," she said. "It cannot replicate your compassion, your judgment, your ability to comfort a patient, and your capacity to see the whole human being in front of you."

Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Krupka spoke about the role education plays in transforming lives and communities.

"Touro is an academic environment that empowers students to change their lives, the lives of their families, and the lives of their communities," he said.

Dean Dr. Steven Lorenzet congratulated graduates on completing programs known for their rigor.

"You have been challenged, and you have been equal to the test," Lorenzet said.

Student speaker Haddasah Rais reflected on the support graduates received from family members, friends, faculty members, and mentors throughout their education.

Healing Will Always Be Profoundly Human

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. David Lubarsky, president and CEO of Westchester Medical Center Health Network.

Lubarsky, who was recently named one of Modern Healthcare's 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives, drew from his own experiences as a patient to illustrate the impact healthcare professionals can have on people's lives. He recalled how a speech-language pathologist helped him overcome a childhood speech impediment and how physical and occupational therapists later helped him recover from injuries.

"You may never know what your influence will carry for that patient or their family, or for how long that impact will be felt," he told graduates.

Like Salkin, Lubarsky also addressed the growing role of artificial intelligence in healthcare. He encouraged graduates to use technology to reduce administrative burdens while keeping their attention on patients.

"Your job is the delivery of care, compassion, and human connection," he said. "No matter how advanced medicine becomes, healing will always be profoundly human."

Preparing for What's Next

Mckayla Stucki, a member of Touro Middletown physician assistant class, traveled from Utah to attend the program and hopes to pursue a career in urgent care.

Chris Mantione, who received a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the Long Island DPT program, plans to specialize in orthopedics.

"My favorite memories were meeting people, working closely together, and forming lifelong friendships," he said. "I hope to provide the best care I can while doing what I love."

Tatianna Altieri of Staten Island earned a master's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology after first studying psychology as an undergraduate at CUNY.

"It's surreal," said Altieri, who is aiming for a career in recruiting and talent acquisition. "I never imagined I would be getting a master's degree."

Amy Nguyen, a graduate of the Manhattan Physician Assistant Program, said completing the program felt like "a weight was lifted off my shoulders."

"It's a very rigorous program and I'm happy to be done," said Nguyen, who hopes to specialize in dermatology.

Maimonides Award Recipients

The School of Health Sciences also recognized recipients of the Maimonides Award, presented to graduates who exemplify scholarship, leadership, and service.

• Annaelle Gabay — Long Island Campus Occupational Therapy Program
  Daisy Pinos-Fernandez — Manhattan Campus Occupational Therapy Program
  Jenna Blank — Long Island Campus Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
  Jason Vega — Manhattan Campus Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
  Valentina Grisafi — Speech and Language Pathology Program
  Yehuda Kutai — Nursing Program
  Nardeen Gerges — Manhattan Campus Physician Assistant Program
  Lucas Quelle — NUMC Physician Assistant Program
  Noa Fuzaelov — Middletown Physician Assistant Program
  Yael Helfgott — Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
  Patricia Paul — Industrial-Organizational Psychology Program
  Andie L. Kleinman — Behavior Analysis Program
  Shannon Wilkens — Illinois Campus Physician Assistant Program

As the evening wound down and families posed for photographs, the auditorium slowly emptied. The graduates left as members of the latest class of Touro University's School of Health Sciences.