Schulich Medicine & Dentistry celebrates convocation 2013

On June 13, Dr. Ben Kleinstiver carried the Schulich Medicine & Dentistry gonfalon into the Convocation Ceremony for Graduate Studies. He did so as the recipient of the 2013 Collip Medal Award, which is presented annually to the outstanding PhD student graduating from one of the basic science programs at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. For Dr. Kleinstiver this was the culmination of an outstanding graduate student experience with the Department of Biochemistry at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry.

Dr. Kleinstiver was joined by nearly 600 fellow Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry students celebrating their graduation at three separate events in May and June. Each ceremony brought with it stories of outstanding students who have excelled academically, and those who have contributed to the social fabric of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and the communities of London and Windsor, as well as those across Southwestern Ontario.

Dr. Andrea Lo was just one those graduates. She spent her four years of undergraduate medical training in the Schulich Medicine & Dentistry-Windsor Program. While in medical school, she founded two major student-driven initiatives: the Schulich Windsor Health Lecture Series and The COPD Wellness Clinic. The lecture series helped to foster an environment of collaboration between physicians and the student body while engaging the public in discussions on trending health topics.

Dr. David D'Silva, who served as valedictorian for Schulich Dentistry received the Academy of General Dentistry Senior Student Award. It is an honour reserved for the one student who, in addition to achieving a high degree of competence in their clinical course, also made meaningful contributions to the extracurricular life of the School. For Dr. D'Silva this meant getting involved in student government through the privileged role of being the class president with Western's Dental Student Society. In this role, he worked alongside his classmates planning community-focused activities and helping to transition to the new curriculum.

Samantha Hershenfeld who graduated from the Bachelor of Medical Science program received a Governor General Silver Medal recognizing her outstanding academic achievements. This is one of the most prestigious awards that a student in a Canadian educational institution can receive.

For many of these students, there won't be much to time to relax following their graduation. Dr. Kleinstiver is on his way to complete his postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard, Dr. Lo will begin her residency in family medicine, Dr. D'Silva is joining a practice in nearby Kitchener and Hershenfeld is getting ready to begin medical school. True to the legions of Western University alumni, they are making their mark and becoming leaders in their field.