LMU-SMS Hosts Commencement for Knoxville Physician Assistant Program

The Lincoln Memorial University-School of Medical Sciences (LMU-SMS) held Fall Commencement Exercises on December 16 at the Knoxville Convention Center, Knoxville, Tennessee. LMU President Clayton Hess conferred the degrees of 75 Master of Medical Science in physician assistant studies graduates.

University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine Professor of Surgery Gregory J. Mancini, MD, served as commencement speaker.

“In medicine, we sit with our patients. We listen to their problems. We try our best to help them,” Mancini said. “This act of service, when one person helps another person in need, applying a gift of ourselves, creates a shared human experience that wells up inside of us. It elevates us. No doubt on your journey here today you have experienced this gift of privilege.”

The ceremony included a welcome from Dean Michael Stephens, DMS. Other members of the platform party were Dustin Bates, DMS, MSPAS, PA-C, Associate Dean & Program Director; Elijah Jones, president of the Class of 2023, Catherine Taylor, MSPAS, PA-C, assistant professor; Rachel Kohn, MMS, PA-C, assistant professor; Erin Kramer, MS, PA-C, principal faculty; Daniel Drinnen, MD, associate medical director, and Sonia Rupani, DMS, MS, AE-C, PA-C, associate professor.

View photographs of the event here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB77jv

View the live stream or on-demand recording of the event here: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/lincolnmemorialevents/

View the commencement program here: https://www.flipsnack.com/lmunet

Established in 2019, LMU-SMS is home to LMU’s Physician Assistant program at the main campus in Harrogate, the Physician Assistant program at LMU-Knoxville, the Doctor of Medical Science program in Harrogate, and the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science program. The school supports the University’s mission of service to Appalachia and other underserved areas by maintaining high quality medical education and supporting student success.

Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies.  The main campus is located in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or email at admissions@lmunet.edu.