June 25, 2025 — On June 21, members of the UF School of Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2025 gathered at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts to mark the end of their studies and begin to lead the way for future physician assistants. 

Jennifer Hunt, M.D., M.Ed., the Folke H. Peterson Dean’s Distinguished Professor and interim dean of the College of Medicine, delivered welcoming remarks at the ceremony, opening with a metaphor of her two favorite things: crafting and her students. She explained the term “knitworthy people,” paralleling how the PA students, who are now colleagues, invest a lot of time, energy and love into what they do for their patients, just like how knitters put care and love into their creations. Hunt brought a pair of size 17 knitted socks and gifted them to a member of the audience, Bill Kline, whose feet happened to be the right size. Kline is the grandfather of PA graduate Gabrielle Jetté Register.

“What we did know is you would be compassionate, devoted, patient-centered practitioners,” Hunt said. “We picked you for the physician assistant you would become. And today, we get to celebrate the culmination of your educational journey, and we get to launch you into that lifelong journey ahead.” 

Through two years of lectures, assignments and training, the PA Class of 2025 shares a special bond with treasured memories, stories and passion for clinical medicine. As students were recognized throughout the ceremony, they lifted each other up in celebration, reflecting on the journey they shared. 

“I cannot express enough how proud I am of every person in our class,” said Class President Bevin Amezcua, MPAS ’25. “It has been the honor of my life to learn with, and from, all of you … I encourage us to never forget what a privilege it is to treat and care for our patients and to continue to learn throughout our careers, providing patients with individualized and compassionate care.” 

Ashley Love, MPAS ’15, PA-C, an accomplished program alumna and board-certified physician assistant, served as the commencement keynote speaker. Her shared wisdom emphasized using a people-focused mindset in patient care. 

“Your passion for science must be fueled by the desire to help the people it directly impacts,” Love said. “Your love for learning must only reach so far that you can still extend your hand back and bring your patients along with you. When you lobby for changes that we so desperately wish to see in health care, you must do so not with the concept of cancer in mind, but with the patient who conquered cancer in your heart.” 

The ceremony closed with the graduates reciting the Hippocratic oath, an epic conclusion to their academic career as they make their way into the professional world and presenting a thank you video to their loved ones in the audience. 

“At this point in the ceremony, your degrees have been officially conferred — and with that, you are now physician assistants,” said Melissa Turley, PharmD, MPAS ’05, PA-C, a clinical assistant professor and the director of the School of PA Studies. “Take a moment to let that sink in. You have earned the title through years of hard work, resilience and an unwavering commitment to this calling. We could not be prouder of you.” 

Marcel Henry Komer, M.S., MPAS ’25 

“Not only has the University of Florida PA school provided me with colleagues, but it has also provided me with lifelong friends,” Komer said. “I have a few memories that resonate when I think about the past two years. It’s funny because it has nothing to do with being on campus or being in class. It really has to do with the friends I’ve gained. These are friends who have helped to motivate me in the face of hardships, studied with me and even helped plan my proposal to my fiancée. These are also people I now consider colleagues, whom I believe I could call in the future for advice or to consult for their knowledge. I look forward to completing the PANCE as well as taking some time off to rest, travel and get ready for my next chapter. I have accepted a position on the burn critical care medicine team at UF Health, and I will be starting my Doctorate of Medical Sciences in August. These last two years have helped me to realize I am ready to face this new challenge head-on and embrace it as another opportunity to grow as a health care provider.” 

Beverly Strickland, MPAS ’25 

“I am most looking forward to applying all the knowledge accrued over the last two years to help my very own patients and continue to expand upon that knowledge daily — and definitely being home more with my family!” Strickland said. “My next step is starting my new job in cardiac electrophysiology in July. PA school is challenging, but it was amazing to have a close group of friends who are working toward the same goals to share some of the struggles with. One memory that will always stay with me is when it snowed about 12 inches while I was in Pensacola for a rotation. I had a really fun snow day with my classmates.” 

Madison Marklow Yahaya, MPAS ’25 

“I first discovered my true passion for medicine, along with my interest in the PA profession, while working in the emergency department as a technician after graduating undergrad from Florida State University in 2019,” Yahaya said. “It was truly a privilege to care for others on their most difficult days while also gaining a deeper understanding of how the human body works. Now, I’m nervous and excited for graduation — but mostly excited. I can’t wait to continue learning and growing in the field of medicine. I’ll be starting my career as a PA at UF Health in surgical critical care. It’s an amazing opportunity, and I’m extremely grateful to be working with and learning from such an incredible team.” 

Gabrielle Elise Jetté Register, MPAS ’25 

• Audra Cotter, MPAS ’25 

• Kailyn Gyorkos, MPAS ’25 

• Shae Johnson, MPAS ’25 

• Marcel Henry Komer, M.S., MPAS ’25 

• Gabrielle Elise Jetté Register, MPAS ’25 

• Beverly Strickland, MPAS ’25 

• Madison Marklow Yahaya, MPAS ’25 

• Ashley Love, MPAS ’15, PA-C 

• Bevin Amezcua, MPAS ’25 

• Valentina Liliana Apa, MPAS ’25 

• Cheyenne Bartolomei, MPAS ’25 

• Lauren Michelle Hertwitz, MPAS ’25 

• Sephra Miller, MPAS ’25 

• Tayná de Oliveira Moreira, MPAS ’25 

• Gabrielle Elise Jetté Register, MPAS ’25 

• Emily Rose Rumisek, MPAS ’25 

• Grace Y. Shan, M.S., MPAS ’25 

• Victoria Yvonne Voorhees, M.S., MPAS ’25 

Based upon nominations by members of the PA Class of 2025 

Melissa Turley, PharmD, MPAS ’05, PA-C 

Isaac Gill, PA-C