Prize ceremony held for first School of Medicine graduates

Prize ceremony held for first School of Medicine graduates

December 2011

The inaugural School of Medicine prize ceremony for graduating students, held on Friday 9 December, celebrated the first graduating class from the UWS School of Medicine and recognised their achievements and commitment to their studies.

Held at the end of the students’ final week of University, the ceremony saw prizes presented to twelve of the 85 graduating students. The prizes were presented by donors to the school, including community partners, industry groups and staff of the School of Medicine.

Associate Professor Peter Zelas spoke on behalf of donors Derek and Shirley Howes who this year established an endowment to support the ongoing awarding of a prize for the top graduating students in the School of Medicine.

Mr Howes was CEO of Blacktown Hospital for 20 years and a strong advocate for continuing education and health care in the communities of western Sydney. Professor Zelas spoke of how delighted Mr & Mrs Howes were to be able to support students in the School of Medicine and to see the graduating class embark on the next stage of their medical training.

The presentation of prizes was followed by ‘The Ultrasounds’, a choir of year 5 medicine students, who treated the audience to a performance of some of their favourite songs.

A tree planting ceremony concluded the event with a rare Eucalyptus Benthamii (Camden White Gum), donated by botanist Auntie Fran Bodkin, planted on grounds outside the School of Medicine building at Campbelltown. The tree was a gift from the first graduating class to the School of Medicine.

UWS would like to thank all those partners and friends who have supported and recognised our students through these prizes.

To learn more about how you can support and inspire UWS students, please visit www.uws.edu.au/giving