Two schools share historic moment

graduates of the Schools of Health Professions and Nursing celebrate
Graduates of the School of Health Professions and the School of Nursing celebrate during the university's first combined graduation ceremony in its history.

In its 50-year history, UT Health San Antonio has celebrated about 300 graduation ceremonies. But on Dec. 16, there was a new first.

It was the first time graduates of two professional schools and two health care disciplines walked across the stage at the same ceremony.

The schools of Health Professions and Nursing graduated 391 new health care professionals, including 46 physician assistants, 41 occupational therapists, eight with doctorates of nursing practice, 78 with master’s degrees in nursing and 218 with bachelor’s degrees in nursing.

President William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, stands at a podium at the School of Health Professions and School of Nursing joint commencement ceremony
UT Health San Antonio President William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, congratulates graduates of the School of Health Professions and the School of Nursing Dec. 16, during the university’s first combined graduation ceremony in its history.

William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, president of UT Health San Antonio, said the moment was an acknowledgement that medicine is best delivered by a team of caregivers, not individuals working in silos.

“The best outcomes for patients and families pivot on communications between members of the team,” he said. “Interprofessional education and collaboration is no longer a theoretical concept, some dusty idea that is impractical. It is, rather, the key to efficiency, to accuracy, to new cures, to new therapies and therefore, to healing.”

To watch the entire ceremony, click here.



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