School of Health Professions celebrates commencement during 50th anniversary year

The UT San Antonio School of Health Professions Class of 2026 graduated on May 17, 50 years after the school welcomed its first students.

During the graduation and hooding ceremony, held at the Bill Greehey Arena at St. Mary’s University, Senior Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and Health System Francisco G. Cigarroa, MD, noted that the school has transformed lives across South Texas and beyond for five decades by advancing health sciences and preparing generations of skilled and compassionate graduates.

“This is a remarkable legacy and today, each and every one of you become a part of it,” he told graduates, describing how essential health professionals are to the success of the healthcare team.

“You are often the steady hand behind recovery, the expert guide behind rehabilitation, the reassuring presence that restores confidence, independence and hope,” he said. “Often your most meaningful work happens quietly, without recognition, without fanfare — but never without profound impact.”

With the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, the graduating students are entering the workforce at a time unlike any other, said keynote speaker Jon Williamson, PhD, FACSM, FASAHP, dean of the School of Health Professions at The University of Texas Southwestern and president of the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions.

“Think of AI as your augmented intelligence,” he said. “It will handle the data so you can handle the patient.”

Williamson encouraged graduates to master AI technology to become more efficient and focused, while never forgetting that their clinical judgment is the final authority.

“You are the essential human guardrails of healthcare,” he said.

School of Health Professions Dean David Shelledy, PhD, RRT, FAARC, FASAHP, encouraged graduates to continue to pursue excellence.

“I hope that you will enter your respective professions with the passion of wanting to learn more, contribute more and move the profession to the next level,” Shelledy said. “Continued learning is an essential aspect of being an outstanding healthcare professional and individual. Even more, I challenge you to keep an open heart and an open mind as you work with patients who rely on your for their care.”

Delivering remarks on behalf of the Class of 2026 was Emily Stevens, a Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences graduate and president of her class. Stevens shared her reflections on the “point” of the students’ shared experience on their health professions journeys.

“The thing that kept me going during my time here wasn’t the promise of some fancy profession after graduation,” Stevens said. “It was all of you, across every profession, every program, every classroom. It was the friends we found and the unexpected human connections we made. It was the memories I will carry for the rest of my life, that we made together. In short, the point of all of this was us.”

The following programs participated in the school’s spring commencement: Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master of Science in Imaging Sciences, Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences, Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care, Bachelor of Science in Emergency Health Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences, Graduate Certificate in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Certificate. The school conferred 268 degrees this spring, with an additional 106 to be conferred in summer.

Learn more about the spring commencement across all the UT San Antonio health professional schools.