Graduating from Weill Cornell Medical College is more than a dream come true for Peter Movilla — it's a family accomplishment. The 26-year-old from New Jersey is not only the first in his family to earn a college degree, but now he also has an M.D. at the end of his name.
"This is something I've dreamt of since sophomore year of college," Dr. Movilla said after picking up his diploma on May 29. "There were a lot of hurdles, but with the support of my family, a lot of mentors and people I look up to, it became a dream and a realization today. And I just want to say thank you to all of them — especially my mother, who had me when she was 14 years old and was my biggest supporter."
Dr. Movilla joined nearly 300 of his classmates at Carnegie Hall to celebrate a milestone in their lives: graduating from the medical college and Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences. Bouquets of red and white flowers lined the Perelman Stage as Cornell University President David Skorton joined with Deans Laurie H. Glimcher, Gary Koretzky and Javaid Sheikh in conferring degrees of doctor of medicine, master of science and doctor of philosophy.
"With change occurring at an astronomical rate, I challenge you to be leaders in your field," said Dr. Glimcher, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell. "Become a person who innovates and drives medicine or biomedical science forward and shapes it for the better. It's no exaggeration to say that the health of generations to
Weill Cornell Music and Medicine students perform original music, "Iuro Per Quod," at commencement
come lies in your hands."
The commencement exercises recognized the triumphs of 291 students: 70 with Ph.D.s, 43 physician assistants with master of science in health sciences, 36 with master of science degrees and 142 medical doctors —34 of whom are from Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar. With their studies behind them, they will now begin their residencies, fellowships and other phases of their careers.
"There has never been a time like this before in the history of biomedical investigation, as the gulf between fundamental discovery and how that discovery can be applied to improve the care of patients has never been smaller," said Dr. Koretzky, dean of Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences. "You have made and you will continue to make observations, in the laboratory, at the bedside and using assembled patient data, that will inform our physician assistant and medical school graduates as they care for their patients."
But just as important as making scientific breakthroughs, whether it be at the lab bench or at the patient's bedside, it is vital for these new physicians and scientists to be able to communicate the value of their work to the public, Dr. Skorton said. That could make a difference in advancing the biomedical sciences in an era of budget austerity.
"I know you can make a difference — in the lives of your patients, in increasing the store of biomedical knowledge and in educating the public in ways that can change the world," he said. "We're counting on you to change it."
Making real impact on the world requires a sense of humility and honesty, said student commencement speaker Dr. Sandeep Kishore. He challenged his fellow graduates to work together, support each other and, above all, be vulnerable.
Graduate school commencement speaker Dr. Victoria Schulman stands with her classmates as they are honored during the ceremony
Making a difference also requires an exceptional curiosity, perseverance and not fearing the prospect of failing, said Dr. Victoria Schulman, the graduate school's commencement speaker.
"I encourage everyone in this room to be curious enough and brave enough to continue pursuing the questions that drive your work, because it doesn't stop here," she said. "Our goal as students was to earn an advanced degree. Our goal as graduating students is to exceed what's already been done, to expand on what's already known to turn that degree into a career — a career that yields amazing results."
Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar graduate Dr. Danial Mir is excited about what's in store for him — a surgical residency at Johns Hopkins, followed by a residency in radiology at Emory University. But in the first few moments after receiving his medical degree, all he could think about is what it took to get to this point.
"I finally have what I've been working towards for so long," he said. "It was worth it."