On April 24, National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) celebrated the hard work and accomplishments of the Spring 2026 graduating class. Graduates received diplomas in chiropractic medicine, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture and herbal medicine, biomedical science and advanced clinical practice.
The commencement keynote address was delivered by Andrew Johnson, MBA, MS, BS, Managing Director at Neuberger Berman, a top-tier independent investment management firm known for its long-term investment focus and research-driven culture in money management. Additionally, he serves as a member of the Board of Directors for AGNC Investment Corp, Bishop McNamara High School and Hartford Funds. Mr. Johnson is also an Independent Director for Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trust, where he serves on the Audit Committee.
In his address, he connected with the graduates by sharing lessons he’s learned from his experience in the workforce. He highlighted the importance of trust, resilience and learning from challenges. Mr. Johnson encouraged graduates to embrace trial and error, draw on past successes and remain dedicated in pursuing their goals.
“Graduates, you have reached the milestone that marks the end of one journey and the beginning of a far more significant one,” he said. “I’ve seen firsthand the products of this university. They are good, smart and professional. By graduating today and joining that group, you have already done the hard part. And because of that, you have earned the privilege to have deep within yourself the sense of belief that you will succeed. Now, get out there and plan to succeed. Congratulations to the National University of Health Sciences Spring Class of 2026.”
Valedictorians of the graduating programs shared their words, memories and insights.
Valedictorian of the Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine program, Dylan Kahn, reflected on his journey along with his fellow classmates. “As I look out into the crowd and I see my classmates, I see an incredible amount of growth. But what is growth if not change? Change can be uncomfortable. It often comes with uncertainty, doubt, and even fear. But that discomfort is where growth lives. When we choose to embrace change, we choose opportunity. If the last four years have taught us anything, it’s that change doesn’t just happen to us. Change is something we create. In many ways, that idea sits at the very foundation of what we do as chiropractic doctors.”
Sydney Kehrmann, valedictorian for the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program, described her time at NUHS as going from a nervous first trimester student to a graduate with a sense of belonging in her chosen field. “There were countless simulated patient encounters, standing outside the door with hearts racing, wondering once again, what have we gotten ourselves into? But in hindsight, those moments of doubt were not signs we didn’t belong, but signs we were becoming a part of something greater. The moments that challenged us the most were the ones that changed us the most, and they’re the reason we are here today. Medical school has been a process of becoming a new version of ourselves. It asks us to let go of who we once were so we can grow into who we are meant to be.”
Nikeata Schuler, valedictorian of the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences program, took the time in her speech to appreciate and acknowledge her accomplishments and the time she has spent at NUHS. “Today, as we celebrate one of the biggest milestones of our lives so far, I think it is important to take a pause and really take it in. Not just the accomplishment, but the journey we have endured and the connections we’ve built with the people sitting in this room. Because if we’ve learned anything during our time here, it’s that time moves quickly, and the someday we talked about has quietly become today. As we step into the next chapter of our lives, I implore us to recognize the beauty of the struggles we face and the privilege of being able to face them at all.”
In his concluding remarks, NUHS President Joseph P.D. Stiefel, MS, EdD, DC, honored the graduates one more time as they ended this chapter of their lives. “When you came to the university, you had a lot of things that you were focused on, and as your time here went on year after year, you were very focused on the details, all the little things that you knew you would need to be successful going forward. But keep in mind the big picture as you move forward. The big picture is what brought you here, and the big picture is what keeps you going. Congratulations, graduates!”
On behalf of the faculty, staff and administration of National University of Health Sciences, congratulations to the Spring 2026 graduating class!
Spring 2026 National University of Health Sciences Graduates
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences
Jaz Autumn Culpepper………………………………………………………………………………………Illinois
Adrianna Asha Hicks……………………………………………………………………………………………Illinois
Nikeata Claire Lennox Schuler………………………………………………………………………………..Illinois
Vanessa Grace Stephens………………………………………………………………………………………Illinois
Jasmine Lakiba Zoker…………………………………………………………………………………North Carolina
Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine
William John Anderson………………………………………………………………………………………..Florida
Julie Ascunce………………………………………………………………………………………………………Florida
Dillian Bowling…………………………………………………………………………………………………….Illinois
Isaac Carr………………………………………………………………………………………………….South Dakota
Zachary Parker Chase……………………………………………………………………………………………Illinois
Ariana Del Pilar…………………………………………………………………………………………………….Illinois
Andrew M. Dykun………………………………………………………………………………………………….Illinois
Anthonina Echevarria……………………………………………………………………………………………Florida
Joshua Thomas Franz……………………………………………………………………………………………Illinois
Paul Randel Grinter………………………………………………………………………………………………Illinois
Dylan Zachary Kahn……………………………………………………………………………………………..Florida
Stephanie Kapetaneas…………………………………………………………………………………………..Illinois
Kathryn Jordan Knoch……………………………………………………………………………………………Illinois
Zhanna Rose Leavitt…………………………………………………………………………………………….Virginia
Edward H. Madden……………………………………………………………………………………………….Florida
Erica Alison Man………………………………………………………………………………………………….Florida
Liza Nicole Marszalek………………………………………………………………………………..Massachusetts
Mary Bridget Medovich………………………………………………………………………………………….Florida
Chase A. Miller…………………………………………………………………………………………………Kentucky
Joseph Nemee……………………………………………………………………………………………………..Illinois
Harshit Dineshkumar Patel……………………………………………………………………………………….Ohio
Cody Ryan Perez………………………………………………………………………………………….Pennsylvania
Hesther Perez…………………………………………………………………………………………………Wisconsin
Lorena Perez……………………………………………………………………………………………………….Florida
Alexander Rivas…………………………………………………………………………………………………..Florida
Rebecca Ann Schmitz………………………………………………………………………………………Wisconsin
Christina Angela Targia………………………………………………………………………………………….Illinois
Ryan E. Thometz…………………………………………………………………………………………………..Illinois
Thali Julissa Torres………………………………………………………………………………………………Virginia
Tabitha Kristi Trymbiski…………………………………………………………………………………Pennsylvania
Arianna Helena Tsengouras……………………………………………………………………………………Illinois
Brian M. Wicks……………………………………………………………………………………………………..Illinois
Kace Mckenna Winters…………………………………………………………………………………Pennsylvania
Anisah Yassin………………………………………………………………………………………………………Illinois
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Amber Calcano………………………………………………………………………………………..Massachusetts
Lauren Ashley Collins………………………………………………………………………………………Louisiana
Monica Shaniece Dixon……………………………………………………………………………………..Maryland
Stevie Jiyo Inghram………………………………………………………………………………………Pennsylvania
Sydney Catherine Kehrmann…………………………………………………………………………………..Illinois
Kathryn Ruth Levitan………………………………………………………………………………………….Michigan
Maria Frances Mione……………………………………………………………………………………..Connecticut
Adaeze C. Nebedum…………………………………………………………………………………………California
Thithi Pham…………………………………………………………………………………………………………Illinois
Roseline S. Russell……………………………………………………………………………………………… Liberia
Katelyn Sanchez………………………………………………………………………………………………Louisiana
Melissa Sauby………………………………………………………………………………………………..Wisconsin
Christopher James Schultz…………………………………………………………………………………New York
Master of Acupuncture
Maithao Xiong…………………………………………………………………………………………………Wisconsin
Master of Science in Advanced Clinical Practice
JoQuan Jomari Charleswell………………………………………………………………………US Virgin Islands
Patience Liede Robinson………………………………………………………………………………….Georgia
Master of Acupuncture- Herbal Medicine
Carly Miller Donovan…………………………………………………………………………………….Wisconsin
Elizabeth Grace Goodes………………………………………………………………………………………..Ohio
Chasity Faith Rorie………………………………………………………………………………………….Mississippi
