Press Release

The 2002 allied health award recipients were among 1,200 graduates who received degrees and certificates on May 22 during UMDNJ's universitywide commencement at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel.

The allied health graduates who received academic and clinical excellence awards are listed below with their academic specialties.

Bergen County
Barbara Catherine Busciglio, of Lodi, received an academic excellence award and earned an associate of science (A.S.) degree in psychosocial rehabilitation and treatment; Tami Jones Mackle, of Waldwick, was presented with an academic excellence award and a master of science (M.S.) degree in clinical nutrition.

Burlington County
Ferne Allen, of Mount Laurel, was presented with an academic excellence award and a master of science (M.S.) degree in rehabilitation counseling; Joan H. Palmunen, of Mount Laurel, received an academic excellence award and a master of arts (M.A.) degree in physical therapy.

Camden County
Sophia Cher-Ming Liu, of Pine Hill, received a clinical excellence award and a master of arts (M.A.) degree in physical therapy; Kyle Edward Grealis, of Williamstown, earned a clinical excellence award and an associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree in respiratory care; Kathleen Elizabeth Galson, of Stratford, received an academic excellence award and an associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree in respiratory care; Barbara Jacqueline Howlett, of Runnemede, earned an academic excellence award and a certificate in surgical technology.

Essex County
Jennifer Leigh Besze, of Bloomfield, earned a clinical excellence award and a master of science (M.S.) degree from the physician assistant program; Lana Alexandra Biniukow, of West Orange, earned a clinical excellence award and a master of science (M.S.) degree in physical therapy; Yolanna Ellen Cromwell, of Orange, earned an academic excellence award and a certificate in dental assisting; Anthony Joseph Fidanakis, of Bloomfield, received a clinical excellence award and an Emergency Medical Technology (EMT)-Paramedic certificate; Trupti M. Ghodasara, of Bloomfield, earned an academic excellence award and a bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in health sciences; Jewel Andrea Mercurius, of East Orange, earned a clinical excellence award and an associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree from the medical laboratory technician program.

Gloucester County:
Jennifer Lynn Lockman, of Woodbury, received a clinical excellence award and a surgical technology certificate.

Hudson County:
Shahzad Arshad, of Jersey City, earned academic and clinical excellence awards and a certificate in toxicology; Nicole Marie Ludyka, of Jersey City, earned an academic excellence award and a certificate in vascular technology; Arthur A. Macatangay, of Jersey City, received an academic excellence award and a certificate in cytotechnology; Dr. Hantz Edward Ricot, of Jersey City, received a clinical excellence award and an associate of science (A.S.) degree in respiratory care; Amy B. Spagnolo, of Bayonne, earned academic and clinical excellence awards and received a master of science (M.S.) degree in psychiatric rehabilitation.

Mercer County:
Roberta Lynn Biolsi, of Somerset, earned an academic excellence award and an Emergency Medical Technology (EMT)-Paramedic certificate.

Middlesex County:
Riham Mohamed El Kashif, of Edison, earned an academic excellence award and an associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree in dental hygiene; Yan Jin, of Highland Park, earned an academic excellence award and master of science (M.S.) degree in biomedical informatics; Nelson Quimpo Martirez, of Piscataway, earned an academic excellence award and an associate of science (A.S.) degree in respiratory care; Dupree J. McCalla, of Piscataway, earned a clinical excellence award and an associate of science (A.S.) degree in psychosocial rehabilitation and treatment; Mary Elizabeth Neary, of South River, received an academic excellence award and a master of science (M.S.) degree in rehabilitation counseling; Lynda Elisa Vallejos, of Carteret, received a clinical excellence award and a bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in psychosocial rehabilitation and treatment; Kelli Anne Wells, of Piscataway, earned a clinical excellence award and a master of science (M.S.) degree from the physician assistant program.

Monmouth County:
Jocelyn A. Gamble, of Eatontown, earned a clinical excellence award and a master of science (M.S.) degree in rehabilitation counseling; Janet Jaccarino, of Monmouth Beach, earned an academic excellence award and a master of arts (M.A.) degree in health professions education

Morris County:
Heather Ann Carberry, of Randolph, earned an academic excellence award and a master of science (M.S.) degree in physical therapy; Torie Shantell Mitchell, of Pleasantville, earned an academic excellence award and a bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in clinical laboratory sciences.

Ocean County:
Jennifer Bacchetta, of Lakewood, received a clinical excellence award and a certificate in dietetic internship; Christopher Michael Binai, of Waretown, earned academic and clinical awards and a surgical technology certificate.

Passaic County:
Dr. Amal Abdi, of Haledon, earned an academic excellence award and a certificate in diagnostic medical sonography; Francine Gangi, of Little Falls, received a clinical excellence award and a bachelor of science degree in clincal laboratory sciences; Rinki S. Jajoo, of Clifton, earned an academic excellence award and a master of science (M.S.) degree in biomedical informatics; Sana Hamdan Obaid, of Wayne, received a clinical excellence award and a certificate in diagnostic medical sonography.

Somerset County:
Erin Amanda Baker, of Somerset, received an academic excellence award and a master of science (M.S.) degree from the physician assistant program; Margarita Maria Bossa, of North Plainfield, received an academic excellence award and a bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in psychosocial rehabilitation and psychology; Sandra DeLong, of Hillsborough, earned an academic excellence award and a certificate in dietetic internship; Nicole Andrea Fisher, of Somerset, earned an academic excellence award and a master of science (M.S.) degree from the physician assistant program; Adrianna Kasiak, of Greenbrook, earned an academic excellence award and an associate in applied science (A.A.S) degree in dental hygiene; Babita Menda, of North Bergen, earned a clinical excellence award and a certificate in vascular technology.

Union County:
Sally Ruth Fenichel, of Fanwood, earned a clinical excellence award and master of science (M.S.) degree in rehabilitation counseling; Dawn Annette Fitts, of Summit, received an academic excellence award and a certificate in nurse midwifery; Jennifer Ann Keat, of Rahway, earned an academic excellence award and a master of science (M.S.) degree from the physician assistant program; Beverly Stewart Nias, of Plainfield, earned an academic excellence award and a bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in health sciences; Kimberly Marie Sura, of Linden, received a clinical excellence award and a certificate in dental assisting.

The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) comprises eight schools which include New Jersey's only three medical schools, the state's only dental school, a school of health related professions, a school of nursing, a graduate school of biomedical sciences and a school of public health on campuses in Newark, Piscataway/New Brunswick, Camden, Stratford and Scotch Plains. UMDNJ operates University Hospital, Newark, and University Behavioral HealthCare (UBHC) and is affiliated with more than 200 health care and educational institutions throughout the state.

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