Celebrating the PharmD Class of 2025: A Commencement to Remember

Surrounded by cheering family, friends, faculty, and mentors, the UCSF School of Pharmacy celebrated the academic achievements of a new cohort of Doctor of Pharmacy graduates on May 27, 2025, at San Francisco's iconic Davies Symphony Hall. The event opened with a processional and warm welcome from Dean Kathy Giacomini, PhD, BSPharm, who reflected on the class’s shared purpose and journey.

“Today marks the start of the careers of 113 new pharmacists,” said Giacomini. “This is a remarkable milestone — one that has demanded your hard work and perseverance...in a year-round, rigorous curriculum, and your drive to step up and advance the health of our communities.”

Among the Class of 2025, 39 percent were the first in their family to ever go to college. And 88 percent are the first in their families to earn a doctoral degree.

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“Whether carving a new path or continuing a family tradition, the future is yours to harness,” said Giacomini. “Some of you will go the regulatory route, others to the industry side. Many will join community pharmacies and pharmacies in health care systems, and some of you will even join the family business. In all cases, you will protect and advance science, and protect and help your patients.”

Student reflections highlight growth and resilience

The ceremony featured reflections from new graduates Celeste Noelle Bustria, PharmD, and Amy Xiao, PharmD, who spoke about the bonds forged during pharmacy school and their evolution as individuals and future clinicians.

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Joselyn Raymundo, PharmD ’98 (front row, far left) and Celeste Noelle Bustria, PharmD (speaking at podium).

Bustria grew up near Los Angeles and graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology. A first-gen graduate, she excelled as the vice president of internal affairs for the Student National Pharmaceutical Association and as the professional development chair for the Pharmacy Alliance for Mentorship, Leadership, and Information. She was also awarded many scholarships and will be completing a PGY1 Acute Care Residency at the UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center.

Xiao is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology and Drug Development. At UCSF, she was involved in multiple leadership roles, including as director of communications and marketing for Industry Pharmacist Organization and as a team member on UCSF’s first-place winning VIP Case Competition Team – not once, but twice. Following graduation, she will complete an inaugural fellowship in clinical development with USC and Neurocrine Biosciences.

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Recognizing teaching excellence across the curriculum

During the program, the Joseph & Vera Long Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching was presented to recognize faculty who go above and beyond to support and inspire their students.

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UCSF Department of Cellular Molecular Pharmacology Professor Marieke Kruidering, PhD, was selected by the class after their first year, and Cellular Molecular Pharmacology Associate Professor Rupa Tuan, PhD, was selected by the class after their second year. In addition, Cedars-Sinai Pharmacy Education Coordinator Kallie Amer; Associate Clinical Pharmacy Professor Victoria Dudas, PharmD, Volunteer Associate Clinical Professor Harlan Husted, PharmD, Community Pharmacist Michael Majeski and Clinical Pharmacy Professor Tiffany Pon, PharmD, were selected from across the school’s five experiential programs.

This year’s commencement speaker was Joselyn Raymundo, PharmD ’98. She began her career in the United States Navy as a hospital corpsman and pursued her PharmD under the GI Bill. She led the development of Children’s Minnesota Hospital’s first home infusion clinic, and in 2013, leveraged her expertise in differentiated models of care to found Rochester Home Infusion, which allows patients to receive life-saving medications in the comfort of their homes. She is a board member of The Mayo Clinic’s Destination Medical Center, as well as a board member of multiple social advocacy groups.

Bowl of Hygeia honors community service and professional excellence

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The Bowl of Hygeia Award is presented to Anthony Lam, PharmD, by Pharmacy Alumni Association Board President Lucy Saldaña, PharmD ’92.

The ceremony also honored the Bowl of Hygeia Award nominees — Valerie Htun, PharmD; Timothy Kein, PharmD, Anthony Lam, PharmD, Jeanne Le, PharmD, and Immanuel Tjahjadi — for their commitment to community service and professional excellence. The award, named after the internationally recognized symbol for the profession of pharmacy, was presented to Lam by Pharmacy Alumni Association Board President Lucy Saldaña, PharmD ’92.

UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood, MBBS, conferred the Doctor of Pharmacy degrees, with Dean Giacomini and Executive Vice Dean Sharon L. Youmans, PharmD ‘85, MPH, performing the traditional hooding of graduates.

Before the ceremony concluded, Youmans led the graduates in reciting the Oath of a Pharmacist, affirming their commitment to patient care, ethical practice, and lifelong learning.