Celebrating the Next Generation of UIW Healthcare Professionals: Spring 2025 Graduates
The University of the Incarnate Word’s founding Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word (CCVI) valiantly traveled to San Antonio in 1869 to administer care in the wake of a cholera epidemic. It is through their healing hands that the city was able to recover from an alarming time of uncertainty, and it was then that San Antonio saw the establishment of its first hospital, the Santa Rosa Infirmary.
With the founding Sisters’ legacy in mind, the University has established five health professions schools: Feik School of Pharmacy, Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions (SNHP), Rosenberg School of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation Sciences and School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM). With each graduating class, a new generation of healing hands enters the world to serve those in need.
In honor of the Spring 2025 health professions graduates, a number of ceremonies were hosted to celebrate their accomplishments.
On Thursday, May 8, graduating Nursing students and their loved ones were welcomed into the Chapel of the Incarnate Word for the annual SNHP Pinning Ceremony. “The pinning ceremony is a nursing tradition from the time of Florence Nightingale in the late 1800s that signified that the individual completed the requirements from the nursing education program. As part of the pinning ceremony, the graduates also recite a modernized Nightingale Pledge that is based on principles and ethics of the nursing profession” (www.uiw.edu).
This year, 69 graduates were recognized at the ceremony. One-by-one, each received their UIW Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BNS) pin, signifying the completion of the BSN curriculum and the beginning of their careers as nurses.
On Friday, May 9, UIWSOM welcomed their graduating students and their family to the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts for their annual hooding ceremony. This ceremony signifies the long-anticipated achievement where student physicians officially transition to physicians.
“This hooding ceremony is a rite of passage, signifying the importance of the work our student physicians have undertaken over the past four years,” stated Dean of UIWSOM, Dr. John T. Pham. “It is an honor to stand before this audience as the Class of 2025 celebrates this milestone on their journey to becoming osteopathic physicians. I especially wish to welcome their proud parents, significant others, families and friends. It is because of your support, sacrifice and love that your student physician is here today.”
Each of the 150 honored students were hooded by influential family members, friends, partners, UIWSOM mentors or even their own children. Whether hoods were placed by hands big or small, each hood was placed with love and all graduates were celebrated as the doctors of tomorrow.
Additionally, UIWSOM celebrated their graduating military-affiliated students at their Armed Forces Commissioning Ceremony. In front of their loved ones, UIWSOM mentors and UIW President Dr. Thomas M. Evans, 15 graduates in uniform were officially promoted as medical officers.
“With immense pride and heartfelt gratitude, the University of the Incarnate Word community salutes our honorees who are answering the call to serve in our nation's armed forces,” said Dr. Evans, extending his gratitude. “Your decision to dedicate your medical expertise to the health and readiness of our service members is a powerful testament to selflessness and a profound commitment to the common good. Rooted in our University's Mission of service and inspired by the healing ministry of Christ, we are confident that you will bring both exceptional skill and deep compassion to your vocations. May your service be filled with purpose, and may you always find strength and fulfillment in caring for those who defend our freedoms.”
Congratulations to the Spring 2025 health professions graduates!