Introducing the Class of 2017

Grads prepare to make an impact on our world

Free spirits, sports fanatics, trailblazers, athletes, scientists, life-long learners, and singers. Every graduating class is unique, and the class of 2017 is no exception. Words cannot begin to capture the personality of this diverse and impressive bunch— and though our campus will surely miss their smiling faces and motivation to make a difference, how wonderful it is to think these are the faces carrying on our Saint Mary mission.

Leo Perez will continue his studies in the University of Missouri-Kansas City Pharmacy School. Leo was a double major in biology and chemistry.

 

 

Cristina Albarran, a biology major, will head west to start pharmacy school at the University of Southern California.

 

 

 

Both Josue Gonzalez and Alisn Stevens won’t be leaving us just yet. They will begin their studies in the Stefani Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in June.

 

 

 

Ryan Bielecki will continue his chiropractic medicine studies at Cleveland Chiropractic College.

Grant Arnold accepted a graduate assistantship position at Rockhurst University where he’ll pursue his Master of Arts in Education, with a concentration in secondary biology teaching.

Julie Hopkins, a chemistry major, will continue her studies at the University of Kansas— in their chemistry Ph.D. program.

Cody Devin, a biology major, is commissioning into the Army as an active-duty field artillery officer.

Patrick Rachford, an English major, will start graduate school at Oakland University (Rochester, Mich.), while also serving as a graduate assistant in the English department. This is a tremendous opportunity for him, as he aspires to teach one day in higher education.

Lionnelle Djieudjie-Nana, a health information management major, started in the University of Kansas Medical Center’s medical records department.

Morgan Johnson, a psychology and criminology major, works as an applied behavior analysis specialist at The Homestead in Clive, Iowa—an organization providing innovative services for children and adults with autism. She will also start her master’s in rehabilitation counseling this August.

Nathaniel Petty, a computer information systems major, started eight days after graduation as Citizens Savings & Loan Association’s IT Manager.

Khadijah Rush, an accounting major, landed a position at State Street Corporation (Kansas City, Mo.) in their Financial Services Division.

Logan Crowther, a health information management major, will start the MBA program at Saint Mary with a concentration in human resources and health care management.

Alyssa Brann, a psychology major, will head west to Grand Canyon University. She was accepted into their graduate psychology program and will start this August.

Kellie Burnet, an accounting major, started at H&R Block, Inc. (Kansas City Corporate Headquarters) as a financial analyst.

Emily Rohan, an accounting major, will begin an internship at Ernst & Young in Kansas City. Emily is USM’s first student to work at a Big Four accounting firm. She will also continue her studies in USM’s MBA program.

Annie Beck accepted an assistant volleyball coaching position at Avila University, where she’ll also study in their graduate psychology program.

Jacob Sherman, a mathematics major, secured a job with Citizens Bank in their financial services department. He started days after graduation.

Tylor Mensik, an accounting major, accepted a position at Prime Lending in Lee’s Summit as a loan officer.

Kristina Purinton, a health information management major, will start in inpatient coding at Saint Luke’s Hospital.

Nursing Majors

Ashlee Yoder—Overland Park Regional, CardiacTelemetry Unit Holly McDowell—Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minn.), Medical Intensive Care Unit

Megan Wilcox—University of Kansas Medical Center, Bone Marrow Transplant and Oncology/ Hematology Unit

Brenna Faulkner—Menorah Medical Center (Overland Park, Kan.), Med-Telemetry Unit

Emily McDowell—Emory Saint Joseph Hospital (Atlanta), Operating Room Circulating Nurse

Madison Stebbins—Kansas City Children’s Mercy Hospital, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Ashten Langley—University of Kansas Medical Center, Pulmonary Hypertension Unit

Angelina Soh—University of Kansas Medical Center, Acute Care Rotation

Ashley Schindel—Kansas City Children’s Mercy Hospital, Infectious Disease/Med-Surgical Floor

Lauren Galvin—Truman Medical Center (Kansas City), Med-Telemetry Step Down Unit

Tyler Hankins—North Kansas City Hospital, Neuro Trauma Intensive Care Unit

Bobbi Kissinger—Saint Luke’s Hospital (Kansas City Plaza), Mother/Baby Unit

Katherine Delich—Providence Medical Center (Kansas City), Intensive Care Unit

Jessica Kuhlman—University of Kansas Hospital, Medical Progressive Care Unit

Danielle Roethler—Providence Medical Center (Kansas City), Intensive Care Unit

Brandy Koll—University of Kansas Hospital, Internal Medicine

Sarah Stitt—Cushing Memorial Hospital (Leavenworth), Medical-Surgical Floor Nurse

Rebecca Gantt—Cushing Memorial Hospital (Leavenworth), Women’s Services

Heather Grund—Hanover Hospital (Hanover, Kan.), Operating Room and Floor Nurse

Melody Brown—Geary Community Hospital (Junction City, Kan.), Obstetrics Department

Asia Dalla-Valle—Shawnee Mission Medical Center (Shawnee, Kan.), Emergency Department

Kimberly Barber—Providence Medical Center (Kansas City), Med-Telemetry Unit

Connor Stultz—University of Kansas Hospital, Progressive Care Rotation Nicole Dahl—Saint Luke’s Hospital (Kansas City Plaza), Neurological Floor

Homegrown Graduate Students: DPT

Mariah (Vaughn) Hennings (undergrad: biology)

JoLynn Glorioso (undergrad: psychology)

Mitchell Ludwig (undergrad: theatre and biology)

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Jessica Semaan—Texas State University Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency Program (San Marcos, Texas)

Drew Mueller—Rebound Physical Therapy (Topeka, Kan.)

Braden Hynek—Maximum Performance Physical Therapy (Manhattan, Kan.)

Jordan McSweeney—Summit Rehab (Lee’s Summit, Mo.) Ashley Fotiadis—SERC (Kansas City, Mo.)

Kyle Stevenson— Great Plains Health (North Platte, Neb.)

Zachary Schmith—Preferred Physical Therapy (Gladstone, Mo.)

Sylvester Ribaudo—Faith Home Health Care (Tucson, Ariz.)

Sarah Myers—Ability KC (Kansas City, Mo.)

Nathan Kalberer—Midwest Orthopaedics PA (Shawnee, Kan.)

Ryan Eifrid—Rebound Physical Therapy (Topeka, Kan.)

Daniel Collins—Quantum Health Professionals (Kansas City, Kan.)