Weill Cornell graduates fill into Carnegie Hall
Weill Cornell Medical College 2013 Commencement May 30 at Carnegie Hall. All photos: Amelia Panico
Nearly 200 students from Weill Cornell Medical College and the Graduate School of Medical Sciences representing the full scope of medicine — from research to clinical practice — crossed the renowned stage at the Carnegie Hall May 30 to receive their degrees.
"I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to share this experience with all my friends and loved ones," said Dr. Blossom Samuels, of New York, who graduated with her M.D. degree Thursday and will complete her residency at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center in physical medicine and rehabilitation. "I couldn't be happier, and I feel honored to be a Weill Cornell graduate. I'm proud of all my classmates and I'm excited about where the future may take us."
Bouquets of red and white flowers lined the stage as Cornell University President David Skorton joined with Deans Dr. Laurie H. Glimcher, Randi Silver and Javaid Sheikh in conferring the degrees of doctor of medicine, master of science and doctor of philosophy.
"As medicine changes, you are the next generation of discoverers," said Dr. Glimcher, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medical College. "It is your role — indeed your obligation — to seek new ways of doing things, to innovate and to discover. You are the future of global medicine. But I think you're even more than that. I think you might just be the future, period. If change is coming as fast as they say it is, we need leaders in all fields of endeavor who have qualities beyond the ordinary."
Weill Cornell Music and Medicine students perform original music, "Let These Hands," at commencement
The commencement exercises recognized the triumphs of 259 students: 71 with Ph.D.s, 39 physician assistants with master of science in health sciences, 20 with master of science degrees and 129 medical doctors — of who 35 are from Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar. With the culmination of their education behind them, they will now embark on a new journey that will shape their professional careers.
"Graduates of all three of our Weill Cornell schools: We are proud of you and we wish you well on the journey ahead," Dr. Skorton said. "Whether your primary focus will be patient care, biomedical research, an allied health field, or another use of your knowledge and skills, you have terrific prospects. And I challenge you to realize them to the fullest."
But it's not enough to be great at what you do, said Dr. Bem Atim, the medical school commencement speaker; you also have to do good.
"My classmates have done asylum work for torture survivors; staffed clinics for the uninsured; and cared for pediatric burn victims," Dr. Atim said. "These men and women, these great and good men and women, remind me that, no matter how dark and sinister the world may seem, there is much more good in it than bad."
Dr. Laurie Glimcher addresses the Class of 2013
What's clear is that Weill Cornell graduates' work, whether in clinical care or biomedical research, can truly make a difference in the world.
"Biomedical Research is difficult, challenging and even at times frustrating, but we all persevere — we persevere because we can make a difference in understanding the basis of disease and ultimately treating patients," said Dr. Jonathan Bourne, the 2013 Distinguished Student Commencement Speaker for the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences. "Our research often has the potential to be a fundamental contribution in changing, maybe even revolutionizing, clinical care. We all must not only love what we do but we must be passionate about our research."
The graduates' passions are indeed leading them to the next stage of their medical journey.
"It feels like this is the start of everything," said Dr. Jay Kim, of Newport Beach, Calif., who graduated Weill Cornell with an M.D. degree to complement his dental medicine degree from the University of Michigan and will complete a residency in oral maxillofacial at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. "It's an awesome feeling."
In becoming a doctor, Dr. Sasha Druskin followed in the footsteps of his father and paternal grandmother and grandfather and is proud of his accomplishments that culminated in his graduation Thursday.
Dr. Dakotah Lane receives his degree from President David Skorton with his daughter by his side.
"It feels fantastic," he said. "It's been a long four years. I've learned a ton. I'm ready to go out into the world and start using my education for good."
Dr. Jonathan Moreno spent seven years at Weill Cornell pursuing his M.D.-Ph.D. degree. Now it's all over.
"I'm just happy that I was finally able to accomplish it," said Dr. Moreno, who will complete a residency at the University of Washington in St. Louis, Mo. in internal medicine. "It was a long time coming."
With his graduation, his family now gets a double doctor.
"He did it all, as far as I'm concerned," his father David Moreno said.