Commencement 2017: Two programs will mark first graduating classes

EVMS will celebrate its largest commencement to date May 20 as more than 400 students join the ranks of EVMS alumni and enter into careers in health professions and medicine. The Class of 2017 includes students from two new master’s-level programs within the School of Health Professions: Contemporary Human Anatomy and Medical and Health Professions Education.

The commencement ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 20, at Norfolk Scope Arena. In her address, keynote speaker Margaret Mohrmann, MD, PhD, will focus on bridging gaps of understanding between patients and caregivers and examining the complex, life-altering decisions that arise in the practice of medicine.

Dr. Mohrmann is Professor Emerita of Pediatrics, Medical Education and Religious Studies at the University of Virginia (UVA) and the former Director of the Program of Biomedical Ethics at UVA’s Center for Biomedical Ethics.

Commencement is the culminating event of several days of graduation-related ceremonies, including the annual white-coat retirement ceremony for graduating medical students, the Surgical Assisting and Physician Assistant formal white-coat ceremonies and the Military Commissioning and Recognition Ceremony. 



MD White Coat Retirement ceremony

This AAMC Award-winning event celebrates the transition from medical student to MD Alumni. On a farm in May, EVMS holds a ceremonial burning of the short white coats students received their first week at EVMS.



2017 Military Graduates

EVMS' Military Commissioning Ceremony was held Thursday, May 18, 2017 aboard the USS Wisconsin in Norfolk, Virginia.

Graduating physician assistant and Public Health students were honored. Medical students were commissioned into service in the United States Armed Forces.

Thank you for your sacrifice for our freedom and you service to our country.

United States Air Force

  • Caroline J. Campbell, Capt, MC MD Class of 2017 Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Nguyen D. Nguyen, Capt, MC MD Class of 2017 Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD Pediatrics

United States Army

  • Peter M. Van Steyn Jr., CPT, MC MD Class of 2017 Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA Orthopaedic Surgery

United States Navy

  • Ondreia J. Hunt, LT, MC MD Class of 2017 Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD Transitional Year
  • Jeffrey J. Illinik, LTJG, MSC PA Class of 2017 Naval Air Station Oceana, Dam Neck Branch Clinic, Virginia Beach, VA
  • Kayla M. Jordan, LTJG, MSC MPH Class of 2017 Naval Health Clinic, Quantico, Quantico, VA
  • Chanhee J. Kim, LT, MC MD Class of 2017 PinnacleHealth Hospitals Program, Harrisburg, PA General Surgery
  • Michael L. Lloyd, LT, MC MD Class of 2017 Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA Emergency Medicine
  • Austin B. May, LT, MC MD Class of 2017 Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA Internal Medicine
  • Joshua W. Peltz, LT, MC MD Class of 2017 Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA Psychiatry
  • Jessica L. Zimmerman, LT, MC MD Class of 2017 Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA Internal Medicine


2017 Award Ceremonies

Students, residents and faculty were honored at several award ceremonies ahead of commencement.

The Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society inductees were honored for exemplifying the highest standards of professionalism.


Surgical Assisting Awards and White Coat Ceremony

Surgical Assisting graduates don long white coats during this ceremony which officially signifies their transition from trainee to trained medical professional. This year marks 19 years in a row with a 100 percent pass rate on the national certification exam for the entire class. Congratulations, class of 2017!


Physician Assistant Awards and White Coat Ceremony

Students in the Master of Physician Assistant (PA) Class of 2017 traded in their short white coats for the long coats of trained medical professionals at the PA Awards & White Coat Ceremony held Friday, May 19. During the awards portion of the ceremony, students received honors for academic achievements and faculty members were recognized for excellence in teaching. Several students, faculty and alumni also were inducted into the Pi Alpha PA National Honor Society.