Meet the 2025 Gonfalonians
Each year, the Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy select their top students from the graduating class to bear the gonfalon (the college flag) at Commencement and lead in the procession of their peers. The College of Graduate Studies selects a faculty member for the honor.
Congratulations to the gonfalonians in the NEOMED Class of 2025, who will graduate Saturday, May 3, at 10 a.m. at EJ Thomas Hall.
College of Medicine
Anthony N. Baumann
Kristen E. Septaric
Tarik F. Whitham
Aaron M. Yun
College of Pharmacy
Taylor A. Zirzow
College of Graduate Studies
Erin Franks, Ph.D., assistant professor, Biomedical Sciences, program director, Master in Foundations of Medicine
The students shared their plans for the future and thoughts on their selection:
Anthony Baumann, who will begin his residency in orthopaedic surgery at Cleveland Clinic Akron General, said, “I am deeply honored for this privilege. I hope to continue to contribute to NEOMED by serving as an orthopaedic surgery resident at a local hospital.”
Kristen Septaric noted, “I am incredibly humbled by the recognition as gonfalonian alongside three fellow peers who have also excelled during their time at NEOMED. I am excited and honored to represent my amazing classmates in the College of Medicine as flag bearer during commencement. After graduation, I will be going to Cleveland Clinic Akron General to pursue a residency in Emergency Medicine with the goal of serving my community in Northeast Ohio.”
Tarik Whitman, who will begin his residency in thoracic surgery at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, said “It is an honor to be gonfalonian. This was a goal I set as an M1. With years of dedication and discipline, supported by a passion for physiology and learning, I was able to achieve my goal. As I move into cardiothoracic training, I am excited to continue with this dedication and passion, serving the purpose of being the best provider I can be for my patients.”
Aaron Yun shared, “I matched into orthopaedic surgery and am excited to begin my residency at UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pennsylvania. I'm thrilled to be joining a residency program where I'll be training alongside two other NEOMED alumni. As we often say, whales walk together—and now, we'll be operating together. I look forward to finding my place within orthopaedics and am especially interested in pursuing a fellowship in traumaplasty or general orthopedic trauma. I'm excited to continue learning and growing in an environment that values both technical skill, camaraderie and compassionate care.
“Being selected as one of four gonfalonians for the College of Medicine is incredibly humbling. It's hard to put into words what this recognition means to me. My class is filled with incredible students and future physicians, so being considered for this role is truly an honor. I'm extremely grateful and humbled. I've always been passionate about doing everything I can to become the best physician possible for my future patients, and I know that the education and experiences I've had at NEOMED have shaped me into the compassionate physician we are all meant to be.”
Taylor Zirzow said, “In the coming year, I will complete a PGY1 pharmacy residency with AxessPointe Community Health Centers in Warren, Ohio. Following this, I plan to pursue PGY2 training in either Psychiatry or Ambulatory Care, with the goal of becoming board certified in one of these specialties. My long-term career aspiration is to serve in a clinical role within the outpatient setting.
“Regarding this recognition, I am truly honored to represent the College of Pharmacy as this year’s gonfalonian. I’m grateful for this recognition, as well as for the support and encouragement I’ve received from my peers and the NEOMED faculty throughout the past four years.”