Barry University’s School of Podiatric Medicine celebrated its annual Rite of Passage ceremony for the Class of 2016. An important milestone in the lives of these 53 students, the ceremony marks the completion of their classroom studies and the beginning of their clinical rotations.
These deserving students have earned the right to receive their white coats in the presence of their family members, friends, Barry faculty and staff. Class of 2016 podiatric medicine students, Katherine Morrison and Felipe Peterson, were each awarded a scholarship for their hard work and dedication.
Morrison, president of the Florida Podiatric Medical Students Association, received the Dr. Harvey Kopelman Award for displaying Kopelman’s leadership qualities and exhibiting dedication to her future profession.
This scholarship was established by the Florida Podiatric Medical Society and Audrey Kopelman, widow of the late Dr. Harvey Kopelman. Dr. Kopelman was the former Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA) president and dedicated more than 50 years of his medical practice to provide the best care possible to each of his patients as well as to furthering the reputation and well-being of the podiatric profession. He championed malpractice protection for Florida podiatrists and raised the level of care afforded to podiatric patients. Dr. Terence McDonald, President of the Florida Podiatric Medical Society (FPMS), presented the scholarship in the amount of $1,000.
Peterson, chosen upon his academic success and demonstration of community service and leadership, was awarded the Dr. Barton Baggett Award. This scholarship was established by Dr. Bradley Haves, President of the Barry Podiatric Alumni Association and board member along with Dr. Michael Wohlfahrt in memory of Dr. Barton Baggett, fellow peer, class of 1990. Dr. Baggett served as a podiatric physician at the Family Podiatry Center in Valdosta, GA. Dr. Haves presented the scholarship in the amount of $500.
The ceremony’s keynote speaker was Dr. Clifford G. O’Connor, esteemed Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine alumnus, ‘92. O’Connor is presently the Director of the Foot and Ankle Associates of North Miami and serves as clinical faculty for the School of Podiatric Medicine, where he has been training our podiatry residents and students for more than twenty years. He is also involved in the residency training programs at Westchester and Jackson Memorial Hospitals. He is a three-time recipient of the Marvin D. Steinberg Award, recognized for exemplifying the true spirit of podiatric medicine and for his efforts toward advancing the profession into the future through quality education and training.
The ceremony was sponsored by: Podiatry Insurance Company of America (PICA), and by Bank of America, Moore Medical and Gordon Laboratories.