Historic First: Elkins Park Programs Graduate at Drexel College of Nursing and Health Professions Commencement Ceremony

The idea of pursuing a career in Orthotics and Prosthetics came to Juan Argueta, MSOP ‘26, when he was in the United States Marine Corps from 2001 to 2011. It was there that for the first time, he saw soldiers who had lost limbs in battle.

So when he finally walked across the stage to receive his master’s in Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) from Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP) on the Elkins Park campus, he had a feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment – and a career, now, where he can potentially help his fellow soldiers.

“It’s been a long time coming for me,” said Argueta, from Hillside, New Jersey, who completed his undergraduate degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey. “This program did everything it could to give us a foundation for our careers. Now, it’s on us.”

Joining Argueta for a post-graduation hug and celebration were his wife, Analette, his mother Milady and father Cransito, originally from El Salvador, and his sister.

“He’s worked so hard to be here and I’m very proud of him,” Analette said. “Now, we celebrate!”

Argueta was one of approximately 800 graduates to walk June 10, 2026, at the Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia.

The event was historic because it was the first commencement ceremony to include graduates from the Elkins Park campus programs of Osborne Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology (SLP), Occupational Therapy (OT) and Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) since Drexel and Salus University merged in July 2025.

It was a point that Emily Roper, PhD, dean of CNHP, specifically mentioned in her address to the students.

“For those of you who began your journey as part of the Salus community, you bring a very strong legacy of excellence in health professions education,” said Dr. Roper, to loud applause from the audience. “This moment represents the coming together of strengths, perspectives and a shared commitment to advancing health and human well-being.”

The sentiment was echoed by Radhika Aravamudhan, PhD, EdD, chair and program director of Osborne Audiology at Drexel on the Elkins Park campus.

“Graduating as part of CNHP, the students are excited to be part of that community,” said Dr. Aravamudhan. “I’ve heard nothing but positive, exciting things from the students about being part of CNHP. It’s been an amazing experience.”

Skylar Parzyck, MS ‘26, didn’t even wait before she received her degree to begin her career. She started her new job two days before graduation as a speech-language pathologist at Rosie Speech, a private pediatric practice in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. As an added bonus, Parzyck grew up in Conshohocken and her job is only three minutes from where she lives.

Her fellow SLP classmate, Julia McClain, MS ‘26, was thrilled to have received her degree, calling it “super-exciting and such a relief.”

Her parents, Tracy and Bob McClain, were naturally proud of their daughter.

“It’s just amazing,” said Tracy. “It’s so exciting and a long time coming.” Bob McClain admitted the family erupted in an audible cheer when Skylar walked across the stage for her degree. “It was very emotional for us. She’s had her head down and worked hard. We’re so proud of her.”

Now that she’s graduated, Reagan Thompson, MSOP ‘26, is ready to start her career and the geographical location where it begins isn’t a big concern. Originally from Colorado, where she just finished up her residency, Thompson completed her undergraduate studies in the Midwest at Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln, Nebraska, before traveling to the East Coast for graduate school.

“It’s exciting. The O&P department did a really good job of preparing us for any issues and challenges we might face,” she said. “So, I’m open to going anywhere for a job now.”

Mary-Kate Dennis, MSOP ‘26 received the CNHP Award for Leadership and Community Impact, given to a graduate who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and made a meaningful contribution to the college, profession, or community. The award honors individuals who inspire others, advance initiatives, strengthen partnerships, and positively influence the environments in which they serve. 

Keynote speaker for the ceremony was Gloria Donnelly, PhD, RN, FAAN, FCPP, a nurse educator for 40 years who designed many new nursing programs during her tenure and career, including being one of the first to design and offer nursing degrees online and in hybrid models. Her biography also listed her as a standup comedian, and she leaned heavily into using humor as a way to manage life’s challenges during her address.

“Humor has often characterized my approach to difficult people and situations, and that includes laughing at myself,” she told the students.

Even when she offered career tips to the graduates, Donnelly did so with her tongue firmly planted in her cheek.

Among those tips:

• Rehearse with a cat before telling someone off. Cats, with their inscrutable look, have a way of letting us know that we’re acting like fools.
• Relinquish stupidity. It has nothing to do with intelligence. It is instead an ability to adjust your cognitive statements to the changing conditions of reality.
• Take your work but not yourself seriously.
• Be real, whatever that means to you, including laughing at yourself and your tendencies toward self-importance.

And, on a more serious note, she recommended:

• Be open to change and raise new ways of thinking and practice. When you believe there is nothing else to learn in your work environment, consider moving on.
• Learn the culture of your work environment and engage in regular self-assessment. If you experience a mismatch between yourself and your work environment, gather perspectives that improve your confidence and effectiveness.
• Debate assertively and respectfully with whomever you believe can move change forward.
• Manage your morale and do not take negative bait. Use your calm and creativity to respond, and then move away as quickly as possible.

“Know what you’re talking about. Be a lifelong learner,” said Dr. Donnelly.