By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
August 3, 2011

Forty-five graduates graced the stage July 26, receiving diplomas in a Master of Arts in Bioethics and Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. To get the scoop, Northeast News interviewed several graduates to learn about their future plans, advice for incoming students and more.

Chris Pankow, Wichita, Kan., Master of Arts in Bioethics

Plans after graduation: Earn a degree in Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and become a physician

Advice for incoming students: Stay on task. Stay on top of things, but have a good time. It’s definitely a journey that you can really enjoy.

Why he chose this degree: He’s a science oriented individual and decided becoming a doctor is the right path for him.

How it feels to graduate: It’s awesome. It’s the concluding chapter of a year well spent of hard work, dedication and new experiences.

Dianne Kopp, Murrayville, Ill., Master of Arts in Bioethics

Plans after graduation: Attend medical school and become a primary care physician

Advice for incoming students: I think this is a good year to learn where your biases lie. We talked about diversity, whether it be cultural or religion. Try to find where your own biases are, so you can get rid of those and better treat a diverse patient population.

Why she chose this degree: We dealt mainly with the patient side and I think that’s a part that gets overlooked. We talked for a year about compassion and treating your patients equally.

How it feels to graduate: It’s closing up this past year, just a finale to the masters program. For me, it’s just the transition into the medicine program here.

Katie Thelen, Wood River, Neb., Master of Arts in Bioethics

Plans after graduation: Start medical school in August and work in rural family medicine

Advice for incoming students: Just soak up every lesson because everything will apply to your career in any medical related field.

Why she chose this degree: I knew it would make me a better applicant for the medical school and would make me a better physician in the long run.

How it feels to graduate: It just feels like a huge accomplishment and the culmination of a lot of hard work.