Public Health & Health Sciences Blog

44 of PHHS’s most outstanding students were recognized at our Honors & Awards ceremony last Friday evening (May 3). Most of the 44 walked in Sunday’s commencement ceremony, though some will earn their diplomas in August.

What makes an outstanding student? PHHS is proud of all of our students, many of whom work, raise families, and engage in numerous enrichment and extracurricular activities throughout their education. Simply earning a UM-Flint degree is a major accomplishment! These 44 students stand out from an already exceptional group for a number of reasons.

Ten students were acknowledged for very special achievements. Alison Martin, an honors program student who is earning her B.S. in Health Sciences, Pre-Physical Therapy track, was recognized as one of this University’s 13 Maize & Blue winners this semester. Read more about Alison’s accomplishments here. Seven students received PHHS Outstanding Student Awards:

Laura Jamison, B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology Outstanding Student Award
Kirti Vekaria, B.S. in Health Care Administration Outstanding Student Award
Nancy Gonyea, B.S. in Health Education Outstanding Student Award
Laura Jamison, B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology Outstanding Student Award
Robert Reynolds, B.S. in Health Sciences Outstanding Student Award
Cody Chapman, B.S. in Health Sciences Honors Program Outstanding Student Award
Krystan Wheeler, B.S. in Radiation Therapy Outstanding Student Award
Whitney Yuchasz, Healthcare Administration Student Organization (HASO) Outstanding Service Award

Outstanding Student Award winners are selected by our faculty from a large group of eligible students. Criteria include credits earned, GPA and engagement. Eligible students are notified and asked to apply. The decisions are usually difficult; with so many deserving applicants, it is hard determine which students stand out most!

Ashley Cooper, M.S. in Health Education student, and Alison Martin, B.S. in Health Sciences student, were recognized as the Graduate and Undergraduate recipient (respectively) of the Eta Sigma Gamma Scholarship Key Award. The Scholarship Key award goes to the graduating member of the Delta Phi chapter with the highest GPA.

The following undergraduate students were recognized as graduating with honors or high honors, and received their honors cords:

Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology program: Britney Aldrich*, Amber Gee**, and Laura Jamison**; Health Care Administration program: Carly Brandreth**, Amanda Chappel**, Amy Debassige*, Gabrielle Dowker**, Liza Holmgren*, Tiyah Isom-Morris**, Lauren Kirsammer**, Alexander McGlashen**, and Elaina McLean*; Health Sciences program: Matthew Callahan**, Jennifer Clark*, Leah Karas*, Alison Martin**, Jeniffer Okungbowa-Ikponmwosa**, Samantha Robinson**, and Kortney Smith**; Radiation Therapy program: Trisha Aldrich*, David Rollinger*, Brittany Walroth*, Brandon Weir*, and Krystan Wheeler**; and lastly, Debby Jones**, earning her Bachelor of Applied Science with minor in Health Education & Behavior.

*Indicates Honors
**Indicates High Honors

Graduating members of two department honor societies were also recognized:

Eta Sigma Gamma Health Education Honorary

Graduate students: Amanda Allison, Porsha Black, Ashley Cooper, Rachel Histed, Randy Roberts, Jessica Sloan, Andrea Smith, and Kristen Williams. Undergraduate students: Nancy Gonyea, Debby Jones, Alison Martin, DaJaneil McCree, and Jeniffer Okungbowa-Ikponmwosa. Eta Sigma Gamma is open to students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and an interest in Health Education.

 Lambda Nu Radiation Therapy Honorary

Trisha Aldrich, Jayme Daenzer, James Scott Miller, Eric Nelson, Ryan Nielson, Melissa Rivera, David Rollinger, Brittany Walroth, Brandon Weir, and Krystan Wheeler.