Ultimate Medical Academy Cancels Fall Commencement on September 16, 2017 at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa

Tampa, Fla., September 7, 2017– Ultimate Medical Academy has made the difficult decision to cancel the nonprofit education institution’s Fall Commencement at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa on Saturday, Sept. 16 in light of emergency preparedness actions associated with Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts.

Out of concern for the safety of students and their families and friends from across the nation whose travel plans have already been impacted by Hurricane Harvey in Texas and along the Gulf Coast, as well as those likely to be affected by Hurricane Irma, the school made its decision late yesterday, Sept. 6.

The USF Sun Dome serves as a Special Needs Emergency Shelter for Hillsborough County and the city of Tampa, and will begin accepting those needing shelter as early as Friday, Sept. 8. The uncertainty of the storm, its lasting effects and the potential long-term use for the shelter contributed to the need for this cancellation.

“We know this is disappointing to our new graduates, but we must prioritize safety concerns for our Ultimate Medical Academy students, faculty and staff with those of the broader community,” Ultimate Medical Academy President Derek Apanovitch said. “Ultimate Medical Academy is making every effort to continue supporting our students and alumni across the nation while closely monitoring the weather to help everyone prepare and keep safe with the second major hurricane of the season.”

More than 4,000 UMA graduates and their families and friends were expected to attend the Fall Commencement at the Sun Dome and online. Ultimate Medical Academy is encouraging the Fall graduates to attend the school’s Spring Commencement at the Sun Dome on Saturday, April 21, 2018.

Ultimate Medical Academy has also cancelled classes today at the school’s Clearwater campus. Online operations to the school’s roughly 14,000 students nationwide currently are not impacted.