Leaders in Medicine to be Honored at 2025 Commencement

Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O., FACOFP, and Jill Wruble (D.O. ’87) will receive honorary degrees at New York Institute of Technology’s 64th commencement on Sunday, May 18, at the university’s Long Island campus.

Ross-Lee served as vice president for health sciences and medical affairs at New York Institute of Technology and was the inaugural dean of New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University (NYITCOM at A-State). She was also the first African American woman to serve as dean of a United States medical school (Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine).

Wruble is a diagnostic radiologist and assistant professor at the University of Connecticut (UConn) John Dempsey Hospital and chief of ultrasound services and associate director of UConn’s radiology residency program.

Both honorees are veterans and will receive a Doctor of Science (D. Sc.) for their pioneering and significant contributions to medicine. Following the conferral of degrees, Ross-Lee will deliver the keynote address to the Class of 2025. Wruble will deliver the keynote address later that day to graduates of the College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) during its hooding and commencement.

“We are honored to recognize two remarkable physicians whose contributions to the field of osteopathic medicine have not only advanced the profession but have profoundly impacted the lives of countless others,” says New York Tech President Henry C. Foley, Ph.D. “Dr. Wruble, a New York Tech alumna, exemplifies innovation, compassion, and dedication, while Dr. Ross-Lee has left an indelible mark on our university and the broader medical community through her leadership, vision, and commitment to excellence. We are proud to confer honorary degrees upon both of these distinguished leaders, whose legacies will continue to inspire for years to come.”

Two members of the Class of 2025 will assist in the hooding of the honorary degree recipients: Ryan Ahmed, an interdisciplinary studies major and entrepreneur from Kew Gardens, N.Y., will serve as the student orator addressing the Class of 2025. Raquel Ibarra, an architectural technologies major from Lindenhurst, N.Y., will sing the national anthem.

Barbara Ross-Lee

Barbara Ross-Lee served as president and chief executive officer of the proposed Maryland College of Osteopathic Medicine on the Baltimore campus of Morgan State University (2022–2024). She also served as vice president for health sciences and medical affairs at New York Institute of Technology from 2001 until 2017. Additionally, during that time, she served as interim dean of NYITCOM and interim dean of the School of Health Professions. In November 2014, Ross-Lee became the inaugural dean for NYITCOM-Arkansas, where she also served as chief executive officer of its Academic Health Centers and president of its Faculty Practice Plan while continuing to serve as vice president for health sciences and medical affairs.

Ross-Lee is a nationally recognized expert on health policy issues and serves as an advisor on primary care, medical education, minority health, women’s health, and rural healthcare issues on the federal and state levels. She is the founding director of the American Osteopathic Association Health Policy Fellowship program, which prepares mid-career osteopathic physicians for leadership roles in healthcare. Ross-Lee is also the founding director of the Training in (Health) Policy Studies program for osteopathic resident physicians. Ross-Lee served as a commissioned officer in the United States Naval Reserves Medical Corps and officer in charge of the PRIMUS Unit for Michigan. She achieved the rank of captain. She lectures nationally and internationally and has published numerous scholarly articles on a variety of medical and healthcare issues. She has consulted and participated in the development of five new osteopathic schools.

Jill Wruble

Prior to her roles at UConn, Wruble, whose work specializes in body imaging, was a clinical assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine and a member of the radiology staff at a major VA medical center. In addition, she practices teleradiology with Virtual Radiology Consultants, a leading national practice.  

Wruble served in the United States Army Medical Corps, including a tour as a general medical officer at the 43rd MASH in Camp Humphreys, South Korea. She completed her internship and diagnostic radiology residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Wruble retired from the Army with the rank of major.

She serves on the National Cancer Institute’s editorial board for cancer screening and prevention, which critically evaluates medical literature and maintains evidence-based, up-to-date summaries on cancer screening and prevention for healthcare professionals and patients. Additionally, Wruble has worked to enrich radiology teaching in underserved countries. She has contributed substantial time teaching and mentoring residents at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center in Moshi, Tanzania. She has also developed unique teaching techniques for medical residents and founded GlobalMedEd. Inc., a nonprofit organization for international radiology training. Its initial project is GlobalRadZambia, which comprises the first radiology residency in Zambia and utilizes the teaching talents of a group of top U.S. radiologists she recruited.

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