During the most recent annual graduation celebration for interns and postdoctoral fellows in the Division of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at University of Kansas Medical Center, Monica Kurylo, Ph.D., ABPP, the division’s director, admitted to always feeling bittersweet this time of year because she’s both enormously proud of the trainees that come through the training programs and sad to see them go.

However, Kurylo declared there would be no sadness, only happiness – and pride – during the division’s lively June 25 graduation event celebrating the honorees and their families and friends, many of whom were gathered online and in the Hemenway building on the KU Medical Center campus in Kansas City.

“We are just absolutely thrilled and honored that they not only chose us more than a year ago to come here for their training, but also that they are honoring us with their presence here in person and online, along with their families and their loved ones, to celebrate this major, major accomplishment.” Kurylo said as part of her welcome. “Thank you, thank you, thank you for choosing us because you will forever be in our hearts.”

This year’s intern class included:

• Jessica Bergner, Ph.D.
• Elizabeth Larson, Ph.D.
• Rebekah Jazdzewski, Ph.D.
• Angela Dao, Psy.D.
• Tessa Long, Ph.D.
• Nellie Moualeu, Ph.D.

The postdoctoral fellows included:

• Darren (DJ) Garcia, Ph.D. (Advanced Clinical Psychology)

• Bridget Kromrey, Psy.D. (Clinical Child Psychology)

• Kara Nishimuta, Ph.D. (Onco-Psychology)

• Shuen-En Ho, Ph.D. (Neurorehabilitation Psychology)

In recognizing the graduates, the division also highlighted their scholarly activities during the year, including research publications, presentations and service.

“We’re so very, very proud of them. We have had a wonderful class of interns and our postdocs, who are actually still in their programs and will be finishing at the end of August, are a great group of folks too,” said Edward Hunter, Ph.D., ABPP, director of training for the division, in addressing graduates and guests during the ceremony. “A lot of what we do here at KU Medical Center is about training. This is a night when we talk about that, and we recognize the people that we as a faculty have been privileged to train this year.”

William Gabrielli, M.D., Ph.D., who noted he was addressing graduates for the 27^th time during his tenure as chair of the department, used his remarks to inspire the honorees.  

“For those of you who expect to make a difference for those for whom you care, those you teach and those who will benefit from your research, go forward boldly,” he said. “You are ready for the next steps forward. Your mentors and teachers have guided you in the past, and it’s your turn now. You must seize the opportunities that come your way.”