Each year, Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy select their top students from the graduating class to bear the gonfalon (the college flag) at Commencement, which takes place Saturday, May 4, at 10 a.m. at EJ Thomas Hall. The College of Graduate Studies selects a faculty member for the honor.
Congratulations to the gonfalonians in the NEOMED Class of 2024:
College of Medicine:
- Meghana Chalasani
- Payton Andronikidis
College of Pharmacy:
- Ellyse Ridgway
College of Graduate Studies:
- Nathaniel Flath, CAA, assistant professor and program director, Master of Medical Science in Anesthesia
The students shared their plans for the future and thoughts on their selection:
Payton Andronikidis matched into Family Medicine at Baumont Troy Hospital in Sterling Heights, Michigan.
“I am hoping to practice full-spectrum family medicine” she said. “I will be doing an OB track through my program to get extra experience in women's health in the hopes of being able to manage and deliver my own OB patients in my future practice.”
Payton’s experience at NEOMED includes being a team leader at the Student-Run Free Clinic and a mentor for local female high school students through the Girls Go Med Program.
“I'm also really passionate about mental health and had the opportunity to work at the Best Practices in Schizophrenia Treatment (BeST) Center at NEOMED on their Affective Psychosis project. I helped contribute to a new manual to guide the inclusion of individuals with affective psychosis in FIRST programs around Northeast Ohio,” she noted.
What are her thoughts on being selected as gonfalonian?
“It's hard to put into words how I feel about this incredible honor. Above all, I'm extremely humbled and grateful. I have so much respect for my peers, and that makes being selected as co-gonfalonian an even bigger honor,” she shared. “I have always been passionate about doing everything in my power to become the best possible physician for my future patients. They deserve someone who takes advantage of all learning opportunities to the fullest, but they also deserve someone with compassion and empathy. My drive to become this type of physician has helped me stay focused during the struggles I have faced in medical school. I also could not have done it without the unwavering support of my family and my fiancé. Overall, this is an achievement I will truly cherish for the rest of my life. “
Meghana Chalasani will complete her residency at the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute for ophthalmology.
As a NEOMED student, Meghana was involved in several student organizations and volunteer activities, including serving with the Student-Run Free Clinic and Sight For All United.
“One of my most meaningful experiences was being a representative on the College of Medicine's Student Curriculum Council,” she shared. “I loved collaborating with both students and faculty in this role throughout the past four years. I have also enjoyed working with the Ophthalmology Interest Group, which is how I first learned about the field that I ultimately decided to go into.”
What are her thoughts on being selected as gonfalonian?
“I am incredibly honored and grateful to have been selected as a gonfalonian this year alongside Payton!” she enthused. “It's a privilege to be recognized in this way, and I look forward to the opportunities ahead to apply what I have learned and experienced in medical school to make a positive impact in health care.”
Elysse Ridgeway is pursuing a PGY1 pharmacy residency at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center.
“I am currently undecided on whether or not I will be pursuing a PGY2 pharmacy residency. My current interests include internal medicine, palliative care, pediatrics and academia,” she shared.
As a NEOMED student, Ellyse was heavily involved in the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the Student-Run Free Clinic and Rho Chi, holding multiple positions within each organization.
Ellyse was also involved in the Student Society of Health System Pharmacists (SSHP) and served as a peer mentor to a small group of pharmacy students in the 2025 cohort as well as two Kent State University undergraduate students who matriculated to NEOMED’s pharmacy program this past year.
“Volunteering has always played a huge role in my life and this continued throughout my time at NEOMED. I joined the Student-Run Free Clinic as a first-year representative and continued to take leadership positions and volunteer with the clinic throughout the last four years, including becoming the Vice President of Pharmaceutical Affairs and Co-President of the organization. I also volunteered at several Rx Take Back Days, NEOMED Skills Days, vaccination clinics and other opportunities provided by NEOMED and various other organizations,” she said.
What are her thoughts on being selected as gonfolonian?
“My four years of pharmacy school coming to an end is bittersweet. I’m extremely appreciative and proud to represent the College of Pharmacy as this year’s gonfalonian. I couldn’t have made it this far without the immense support of my family, friends, peers and faculty at NEOMED!” she said.
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Commencement information from the Registrar’s Office
Celebrating Commencement this Saturday
Follow the live stream on Facebook Live on Saturday, May 4, 2024, beginning at 10 a.m.