Commencement
VUIM Commencement 2024 and 20th Anniversary Celebration
Date: July 27th, 2024
Location: Capital One Hall – Main Hall, 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons, Virginia 22102
Ceremony Begins 11:30 a.m.
Light Refreshments 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
On Saturday, July 27th, 2024, VUIM will host its Commencement Ceremony to honor the achievements of our graduating class of 2024 and those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This event marks the culmination of each class’s academic journey and celebrates their dedication and perseverance through challenging times.
This year’s Commencement Ceremony is particularly significant as it coincides with the 20th Anniversary of our University’s founding. Over two decades, VUIM has excelled in Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine education, impacting communities through our campuses and clinics. This milestone is a testament to our collective efforts and will be a moment to reflect on past accomplishments, celebrate present achievements, and envision the future of VUIM. It will bring together alumni, faculty, staff, and students to celebrate our shared values and vision.
The Ceremony and Celebration will be held at the main stage of Capital One Hall in Tysons, Virginia. This stunning new performing arts center, known for local theater performances and world-renowned concert acts, will serve as the venue to celebrate our cherished graduates: the next generation of healers and leaders in Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine, whom our University has been fortunate to train.
We are honored to have the following special guests and speakers address our graduates and their friends and families.
Special Guests and Speakers
Senator Ghazala Hashmi, PhD
Virginia State Senator Ghazala Hashmi, PhD serves in the Virginia General Assembly and represents the 15th Senatorial District which includes parts of Richmond City and Chesterfield County. After nearly 30 years in higher education, she first ran for office in 2019 and won her second term in the Virginia Senate in November 2023. Senator Hashmi serves as Chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee. She also sits on the following Senate Committees: Finance and Appropriations; Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources; Transportation; and Rules. Senator Hashmi has also been appointed, for the past four years, to numerous boards and commissions; additionally, she was elected in 2023 to serve as Vice Chair for the Education Committee of the Council of State Governments – Southern Region. She is currently serving her second term as Vice Chair of the Virginia Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus (VAAPIC). Before her first election in November 2019, Senator Hashmi taught literature at the University of Richmond and then at Reynolds Community College. She was also the founding Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Reynolds. She has authored book chapters, and articles, and presented at numerous conferences. Senator Hashmi is the first Muslim American and the first South Asian / Indian American to serve in the Virginia Senate.
Dr. Jun J. Mao, MD, MSCE
Dr. Jun J. Mao is the Chief of the Integrative Medicine Service and Laurance S. Rockefeller Chair in Integrative Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Mao is an integrative medicine specialist, board-certified family physician, and licensed acupuncturist dedicated to the health and well-being of cancer patients. He combines Eastern and Western approaches to help patients manage symptoms from their treatments, such as pain, fatigue, insomnia, hot flashes, anxiety, and depression. Dr. Mao also conducts research on the benefits of complementary therapies for people with cancer, including his work on acupuncture for breast cancer patients.
Student Speaker Dr. Renee Lee
Our student speaker is Renee Lee, a licensed acupuncturist who earned her Master of Science in Acupuncture and Professional Doctorate at VUIM in 2021. Renée’s journey into complementary and integrative health began when traditional medicine couldn’t provide answers for her daughter. Through nutritional changes and acupuncture, she found relief for her daughter’s symptoms and ultimately chose to pursue a career in acupuncture. Renée is also passionate about expanding access to healing through the Community Acupuncture business model.