Wichita State University will award an honorary doctorate to Wichita physician Dr. Donna Sweet during the university's fall commencement ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 13. This marks the first time since 1988 that an honorary degree has been given at WSU.
WSU President John Bardo selected Dr. Sweet to receive the award in recognition of her 35 years of service to patients with HIV/AIDS. In a release from the University, Bardo said that Sweet has changed the world with her scholarship and her heart. Sweet says she was flattered and honored by his statement.
“I have spent a great deal of my time trying to make sure people understand one, what it is; two, how you get it; three, how not to get it; and four to be able to treat people that have a chronic illness like this with the respect and dignity that they deserve," Sweet says.
Sweet earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Wichita State in biological sciences. Sweet also attended the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Today she is a professor of internal medicine at the school’s Wichita campus. In addition to caring for about 1,300 patients with AIDS/HIV, she also is a primary care physician to another 3,000 patients without the disease.
Sweet will deliver the commencement address at a ceremony Dec. 13 for Wichita State students who are graduating at the conclusion of the fall semester.
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