Celebrity and Health Advocate Montel Williams to Speak at Ultimate Medical Academy Fall Commencement

Tampa, Fla., August 17, 2017– Celebrity and health advocate Montel Williams will deliver the commencement address at Ultimate Medical Academy’s Fall Commencement (#UMAgrad) at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida. The ceremony will also be live-streamed online to thousands of UMA 2017 graduates, friends and family members across the nation.

“Montel Williams’ grit in overcoming depression and living with multiple sclerosis to achieve continued success as a celebrity and heath advocate is something that will resonate with our graduates,” UMA President Derek Apanovitch said. “We are honored to have him share his story and inspire our graduates, many of whom are non-traditional students overcoming life’s obstacles themselves, to complete their higher educations and begin their careers in healthcare.”

Williams, television personality, radio talk show host, actor, and more, is best known as Emmy-winning host of the long-running The Montel Williams Show. Before and after his television show, Williams has been passionately involved in many projects that he has transformed into major initiatives with the aim of helping others. Williams is also noted for his 22 years of service in both the Marine Corps and the Navy, from which he was honorably discharged.

“We can’t thank Montel enough for all he is doing to help educate healthcare professionals and improve patient outcomes in MS,” Apanovitch said. “He is a true partner to UMA and is making the world a better place. As we work to fulfill our mission to equip and empower students to excel in healthcare, we will continue to build partnerships that make a difference in the lives of our students, graduates, healthcare employers and those they serve.”

More than 600 Ultimate Medical Academy graduates will walk at the Fall Commencement out of a total of more than 4,000 who will virtually join in the Pomp and Circumstance.

The ceremony will open with the presentation of colors and the singing of the National Anthem led by retired United States Air Force Sergeant Sonya Bryson, a regular performer for the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. In addition, Apanovitch and other faculty members, a student speaker, and a UMA staff member will deliver remarks.

More information on the UMA Fall Commencement can be found at /students/commencement/.