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Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) hosted its annual commencement ceremony on Monday, December 16, at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach conferring health science degrees to 536 graduates of the Class of 2024.
The commencement ceremony is available for on-demand viewing via SCU’s YouTube channel.
The Class of 2024 represents the broad variety of SCU’s academic programs, with the following numbers of graduates in each respective program:
Dr. John Scaringe, President of Southern California University of Health Sciences, delivered an inspiring 
address at the 2024 Commencement Ceremony, celebrating the graduates’ achievements and emphasizing their unique preparation to transform healthcare through integrative, whole-person care.
“Class of 2024, you are entering a healthcare industry facing big challenges—but even bigger opportunities,” Dr. Scaringe said. Our nation’s healthcare leaders are calling for a complete transformation of our healthcare system. They are calling for healers who understand that integrative, whole-person care is the cure for what ails our healthcare system.”
“With the integrative, whole person training you’ve received here at SCU, you are uniquely prepared to answer that call. Never underestimate your ability to transform healthcare — one patient-centered interaction at a time.” Dr. Scaringe said.
This year’s SCU commencement speaker was Dr. Mimi Guarneri, a true pioneer in healthcare and a passionate advocate for integrative medicine. Dr. Guarneri brings a wealth of experience and heart to her work. She’s not only board-certified in cardiovascular disease, internal medicine, and integrative holistic medicine but also a leader who has dedicated her career to reshaping how we think about health and wellness. She currently serves as Medical Director of Guarneri Integrative Health, Inc., in La Jolla, California, and also co-founded the Miraglo Foundation, which provides healthcare and education to underserved communities worldwide.
“I am thrilled to be here because, as a cardiologist, internal medicine specialist, I never thought when I graduated in 1988 that I would be standing in front of a group that’s focused on health, healing, and healing the whole person because that was a concept I never learned in medical school,” said Dr. Guarneri. “We have indeed come a long way, and that goes to the leadership of Dr. Scaringe and the amazing faculty that you have here at SCU,” Dr. Guarneri stated.
Following her speech, Dr. Scaringe bestowed Dr. Guarneri with the honorary SCU Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
Graduating Master of Science in Medical Science student Courtney Lynn Rasic was named the SCU Class of 2024 valedictorian.
“It’s easy to be consumed by the mountains still ahead of us, forgetting to pause and recognize the peaks we’ve already climbed. Reflecting on these obstacles we overcome should fill each of us with pride and accomplishment. Now we turn our gaze to our future as healthcare leaders and healers,” said Rasic.
SCU’s Health Equity Award was presented by SCU Provost Dr. Tamara Rozhon to Master of Science in Medical Science graduate Stacy Jocelyn Bencomo. The Health Equity Award recognizes a graduate who has contributed to improving health equity at SCU and their community through commitment to advocacy, mobilization, research, and community involvement to increase inclusion and equality.