2022 PharmD Commencement

Sandra Leal, PharmD, MPH, FAPhA
President, American Pharmacists Association
Vice President, Collaborative Innovation and Clinical Strategy, Aetna, a CVS Health Company

Sandra Leal, PharmD, MPH, FAPhA is the 166^th President of the American Pharmacists Association and Vice President of Collaborative Innovation and Clinical Strategy for Aetna, a CVS Health Company. Dr. Leal has had diverse experience as a pharmacist, medical director, public health clinician, and as a board member for various groups including the National Center for Farmworker Health.

Dr. Leal received her PharmD from the University of Colorado and her MPH in Public Health Practice from the University of Massachusetts. Dr. Leal completed her residency at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System and a Primary Health Care Policy Fellowship with the Department of Health and Human Services.

She has published and presented her work in numerous national and international publications and venues. She has been recognized as the Good Government Pharmacist of the Year by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) for her advocacy work on pharmacist provider status. Dr. Leal is a two-time recipient of the Pinnacle Award from the APhA Foundation for her progressive practice innovations and received the ASHP Best Practice Award for her leading practice in diabetes management.

Two themes that govern Dr. Leal’s professional life are a passion to eliminate barriers to care and to improve access and outcomes for patients. Dr. Leal has led efforts on both local and national levels to integrate pharmacy, public health, and advocacy to improve the healthcare system and to reduce health inequity. 

General information:

• Please plan to arrive early.  Graduates must be at Rackham by 1:00 pm.
• Please turn off all cell phones.
• Commencement will start at 2:00 pm.

Procession:

• Line up in alpha order.
• First person of the row enters and moves all the way to the far side of the row.
• Each row follows in turn.

Oath of a Pharmacist:

• Class representative will instruct you to speak loudly and in UNISON.

Hooding of the Graduates:

• Faculty Marshal will lead first student from seat to stage, entire row follows.
• Each row will rise and process to the stage. The faculty marshal will release you to enter the stage as your name is called.
• Stand on the X in front of the Associate Deans to be hooded.
• Walk to the DEAN and shake hands (photo will be taken).
• Walk to the Faculty Marshal for Certificate (for photo purposes only).
• When you return to your original seat....PLEASE BE SEATED IMMEDIATELY.

After Ceremony:

• Group photo will be taken on the steps of Rackham immediately following the ceremony. 
• Please return rentals gowns, hood, and tams to the back of the auditorium before leaving Rackham.
• Pick up envelope with graduation materials at the same time.
• Congratulations!! 

LOCATION
The Commencement Ceremony is being held at Rackham Auditorium.
Address: 915 E. Washington Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109

AIR TRAVEL
Detroit International Airport (DTW) is the airport nearest Ann Arbor. Travel time from DTW to Ann Arbor is approximately 25 minutes.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS (to Rackham)
A complete list of driving directions can be found at: http://www.rackham.umich.edu/rackham_building/driving_directions/

PARKING

Parking is available in the city structures: Maynard (324 Maynard St), Washington (215 Washington Street), Liberty (510 E. Washington) and Forest (650 S. Forest)

The gates to the Thayer (216 S. Thayer Street), Fletcher, Hill (201 Fletcher Street), Thompson (500 Thompson St) and Palmer-Blue Area (200 Washtenaw Avenue) structures will be opened at 10 a.m. for commencement guests. Parking enforcement in these areas will be suspended from 10 a.m. to the end of posted enforcement hours.  Even though enforcement is suspended, we encourage guests not to park in any specialty signed spaces (Gold, UM Business, Service Vehicle, etc.  The campus parking structures fill to capacity during the business days. 

DINING
A complete list of restaurants in the Ann Arbor area can be found at: http://www.visitannarbor.org/dining

ACCOMMODATIONS

Holiday Inn North
3600 Plymouth Road 
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/ann-arbor/arbnc/hoteldetail

Bell Tower
300 South Thayer
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 769-3010
http://www.belltowerhotel.com/

Graduate Ann Arbor
615 East Huron Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(800) 666-8693
http://graduateannarbor.com/

Residence Inn Ann Arbor Downtown
120 West Huron Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 662-9999
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/arbdt-residence-inn-ann-arbor-downtown/

A complete list of accommodations in the Ann Arbor area can be found at: http://www.visitannarbor.org/accommodations/hotels

Will guests need to bring the commencement announcements to get into Rackham?
No. Guests will not need to bring anything to enter.

Is there a limit of guests we can invite?
Currently there is no limit of how many guests can be invited.

The following protocols will be in place for guests to attend the Commencement Ceremony.  Guests should check this page for any changes or updated requirements from the University for in person events occuring in April 2022.

COVID-19 Safety:

Effective March 14, 2022, masking will be optional in most indoor spaces on campus including in offices, residence halls and at athletic events. It is expected that all individuals of the U-M community and guests stay home when they are not feeling well (do not attend work, class, gatherings or events) and individuals are expected to continue to use ResponsiBLUE and ResponsiBLUE Guest as a daily symptom checker.

Additionally, neither proof of vaccination nor recent negative test are required for attendance at this event.

You may view a live broadcast of the event on the College's YouTube page.