Saint James School of Medicine
25th Anniversary
Class of 2024
Graduation Ceremony

Friday, June 7th, 2024
5 pm CST

Drury Lane Theatre & Events, Venetian Room;
100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Tel: 847-375-0543

PROGRAM GUIDE

Cocktail hour 5:00 pm

  • Sign in Registration/Alumni Desk
  • Photo and video booth
  • Cash Bar. Hors d’oeuvres
  • SJSM Merchandise

Graduation Ceremony 6:00 pm

  • Introduction
  • Procession of faculty and graduates
  • Opening remarks by the Provost
  • Student Speaker
  • Board of Trustees Speaker
  • Keynote speaker
  • Graduates walk across the stage

Closing Remarks 7:30 pm

  • Vote of Thanks
  • Exit Procession

The 2024 Graduation ceremony, during which degrees are officially conferred to all graduates of 2024, will take place on Friday, June 7, 2024.

Congratulations to the Class of 2024 on your impending graduation! Below you will find the additional information about the ceremony.

Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024, at the Drury Lane Theatre & Events in Oakbrook Terrace, IL. The event will begin at 5 pm CST.

For additional detail and to RSVP, please click on the button below
RSVP

Should you have any questions, please contact graduation@mail.sjsm.org.

SPEAKERS

Dr. Angeline N. Beltsos

Dr. Angeline N. Beltsos
Keynote Speaker

Dr. Angeline N. Beltsos, MD, is an esteemed Obstetrics and Gynecology figure specializing in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. As the CEP of Clinical at Kindbody, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role. Before her current position, Dr. Beltsos was the CEP and Chief Medical Officer at Vios Fertility Institute, overseeing a network of fertility clinics across several cities.

Significant academic achievements mark Dr. Beltsos' journey in medicine. She earned her medical degree from Michigan State University, a testament to her dedication and academic prowess. Following this, she completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Loyola University in 1995 and a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, culminating in 1997.

Dr. Beltsos is widely recognized for her contributions to the field, earning numerous awards and invitations to speak at national and international events. She is a sought-after media resource, particularly on the topic of infertility. She serves as the executive chairperson for the Midwest Reproductive Symposium International, a prestigious conference gathering fertility experts worldwide.

Dr. Beltsos' commitment to Obstetrics and Gynecology extends beyond her clinical work. She is deeply dedicated to education and mentorship, holding positions as an Assistant Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Wayne State University. In addition, she serves as Division Director of the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Division and as Fellowship Director of the Reproductive Endocrinology program. This commitment to nurturing the next generation of medical professionals underscores her dedication to the field and makes her an inspiring choice for a keynote speaker.

Dr. Beltsos' dedication extends to her patients, whom she serves with compassion and excellence at clinics in Chicago, IL, and Detroit, MI. Her expertise, leadership, and commitment to advancing reproductive health make her a fitting addition to our graduation ceremony as a keynote speaker.

Gregory Poulos

Gregory Poulos
Board of Trustees

We are thrilled to welcome Gregory Poulos as one of our distinguished keynote speakers for the upcoming graduation ceremony at SJS Medical School. A lifelong learner, Mr. Poulos exemplifies a commitment to continuous growth, leveraging his keen logic and extensive troubleshooting experience to navigate complex business challenges.

With a passion for fostering effective teams and nurturing organizational culture, Mr. Poulos has left an indelible mark in various leadership roles. As President of Kindbody, a prominent network of fertility clinics, he oversaw operations across 32 locations, spearheading initiatives that streamlined processes and optimized resource allocation. Through his adept use of lean methodologies and strategic site design, Mr. Poulos achieved remarkable cost savings, demonstrating his prowess in financial management and operational efficiency.

Mr. Poulos brings a wealth of academic and professional expertise to our stage. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Southern Illinois University, complemented by a mathematics minor. His licensure further evidences his commitment to excellence as a professional engineer, and he is pursuing an MBA from Northern Illinois University.

Beyond his impressive credentials, Mr. Poulos is a voracious reader, immersing himself in the latest insights on business and leadership. This dedication to personal growth underscores his unwavering commitment to empowering companies and team members.

As we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates, we are honored to have Mr. Gregory Poulos impart his wisdom and insights, inspiring our future leaders to embrace the journey of lifelong learning and transformative leadership.

Dr. Claude-Bernard Iliou

Dr. Claude-Bernard Iliou
Speaker

Dr. Claude-Bernard Iliou has been an integral part of SJSM since 2010, contributing significantly to various subjects such as Pharmacology, MD5, Neuroscience, and more.

As the Dean and Professor on the Anguilla campus, Dr. Iliou brings a wealth of experience, holding an MD from Howard University College of Medicine since 1989. With 17 years of teaching and research expertise, Dr. Iliou's dedication to education is evident. His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1983, followed by rigorous research at Massachusetts General Hospital. He pursued his medical education at Howard University College of Medicine, graduating with honors in surgery. Subsequently, he completed residencies in internal medicine and anesthesiology, followed by clinical practice and specialization in Pain Management.

Dr. Iliou's commitment to teaching extends beyond the classroom, as demonstrated by his role as a medical speaker for pharmaceutical companies and his founding of a Chronic Pain support group. With notable research publications and a passion for education, Dr. Iliou embodies the spirit of academic excellence and mentorship.

Dr. Devang Gujarathi

Dr. Devang Gujarathi
Speaker

Dr. Devang Gujarathi, now head of the residency program at UNC HealthCare, remains deeply connected to his alma mater, Saint James School of Medicine. Despite transitioning from an economics major to pursuing medicine, he credits SJSM for shaping his successful medical career.

Visiting both the Anguilla and St. Vincent campuses, Dr. Gujarathi was impressed by their bright ambiance and efficient use of space, highlighting the expansive library in Anguilla and the sophisticated Anatomage table as notable features.

During his visit, Dr. Gujarathi engaged students with presentations on topics such as sepsis management and shared insights into navigating medical education and career pathways. Reflecting on his journey, he emphasized Saint James School of Medicine's role in fostering confidence and readiness for the professional world, reassuring students of their preparedness and potential for success.

Excitingly, Dr. Gujarathi will also serve as a graduation speaker for Saint James School of Medicine, embodying the institution's commitment to producing competent physicians and supporting alumni throughout their careers. His visit underscores Saint James School of Medicine's dedication to providing a contemporary medical education enhanced by real-world experiences and state-of-the-art resources. As Saint James School of Medicine continues to evolve, it remains focused on equipping students with the tools and experiences needed to thrive in the dynamic healthcare landscape.

Dr. Darren Ramcharan

Dr. Darren Ramcharan
Student Speaker

Darren Ramcharan earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Genetics from the University of Western Ontario. During his time attending Saint James School of Medicine, Anguilla, he participated in extracurricular activities with the Anguilla Red Cross Society and the American Medical Students Association, where he could give back to the local community. He also served as a tutor and as a member of the Student Government Association, as Vice-President and President, where he provided peer mentorship teaching opportunities and undertook educational improvement projects alongside faculty.

He volunteered as a content creator and team lead for @Health_MadeSimple for the past three years, a Canadian, student-led health project aiming to communicate information about the COVID-19 pandemic and health-related topics to the general public. After completing the MD program at SJSM in August 2023, Dr. Ramcharan joined the faculty as a USMLE counselor. He taught and mentored students preparing to write their medical licensing exams.

In his free time, he enjoys playing sports, listening to music, cooking, and avoiding hurricanes. He will begin his Emergency Medicine residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit this summer.

USEFUL LINKS

HOTEL RESERVATIONS

PARKING

Plenty of parking available on all sides of the venue as well as adjacent lots.

ORDERING REGALIA

You can order your Regalia by clicking here. Please note that the regalia takes 3-4 weeks for the delivery.

PLEASE SUBMIT PHOTOS FOR GRADUATION CEREMONY

A photo montage displaying all the great memories you have from the campuses and your clinical rotations will be projected throughout the arena prior to the start of the Graduation Ceremony. Please be aware that the photos submitted will be shared with the general audience attending the ceremony. Submit your electronic photos to graduation@mail.sjsm.org by May 17th, 2024.

STUDENT COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER NOMINATIONS

The Graduation Ceremony will feature a student speaker who represents the 2024 graduating class. The individual will be selected from a group of nominees based on the quality of their prepared remarks. Academic performance will also be considered. If you are interested in nominating yourself or a peer, please submit the full name of the nominee and their email address to graduation@mail.sjsm.org by April 1, 2024. The student speaker will be announced by April 15th.

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS & VIDEOS

There will be a professional photographer and videographer on the day of the ceremony. You will be photographed as you are hooded and when you receive your “diploma”. All graduates will receive digital copies of those photos.

Further information will be provided for additional photo requests in the weeks after graduation.