Physical Therapy student and graduate-elect Jessica Carreira will provide the student address at Wayne State's Winter Commencement, Dec. 10. The School of Business Administration, College of Engineering, and School of Social Work will join the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS) at the 2 p.m. ceremony.

This is the second time that a student from the college has been chosen to give the student address. In 2009, Brittany Brand, graduate from the doctor of pharmacy program, delivered the first student address at the WSU enhanced commencement ceremonies. It was the first year for the change of the commencement format, which assigned each school and college to one of four commencement assemblies.

One of several EACPHS students to be considered for the honor, Carreira is graduating with a doctor of physical therapy degree. She excels academically, clinically and professionally and holds a 3.70 GPA, carrying 123 credits over the 10 semesters of the program. In addition, Carreira is a three-time recipient of the Physical Therapy Schlomer Scholarship.

As a student, she has an exceptionally broad array of clinical education experiences in acute care, including complex medical and ontological care; inpatient rehabilitation, including spinal cord injury, burns, and orthopedics; and orthopedic and neurological outpatient care. While carrying a full academic load, Carriera has continued to provide respite care and other services for families with children who have cognitive and physical disabilities.

She is an active member in the student chapter of the Michigan Physical Therapy Association (MPTA). Beginning as an MPTA volunteer in her second professional year, the following year she accepted co-chair responsibility of the fundraising committee for the MPTA Student Conclave. She also has served the community providing pre-sport health appraisals for athletes in the Special Olympics through the Detroit Public Schools and volunteering at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.

The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, one of the founding colleges of Wayne State University, is committed to advancing the health and well-being of society through the preparation of highly skilled health care practitioners, and through research to improve health care practices and treatment from urban to global levels.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 400 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 32,000 students.

Media Contact: Kathleen J. Karas, APR
Phone: 313-577-2312
Email: kkaras@wayne.edu