This year, as we found ourselves in new (pomp and) circumstances, we brought our Michigan Medical School community together virtually to celebrate the Class of 2020 as they graduated to the front lines as new doctors.
While the bright lights of Hill Auditorium remained dark, our virtual Commencement Ceremony streamed live on Friday, May 15th, to our entire Michigan Medical School community, shining a much-deserved spotlight on the Class of 2020 and their many accomplishments.
The event featured remarks from our honored speaker, Dr. Regina Benjamin, the 18th surgeon general of the United States; student speaker Josh Kurtz; and Dr. William Peterson, a faculty member chosen by the class as the Senior Award recipient. In addition, University and Medical School leadership delivered remarks, and also guided our graduates through many of the traditional segments of the ceremony, including recitation of the Hippocratic Oath. Graduation award recipients were also honored.
"I would like to extend my personal hearty congratulations to the Class of 2020. You are arriving just in time. As much as you have learned in the past four years, you will learn more, much more as you progress in your careers. You will gain a new appreciation for what it really means to be the decision-maker in precarious situations. Now, as we look to the future and create what will become a new normal for our profession, I am even more thankful that the intensity, commitment and compassion you have shared with us is ready to meet the changing health care needs of our communities when we need it most."
Marschall S. Runge, M.D., Ph.D.
Dean, U-M Medical School; Executive Vice President, Medical Affairs; CEO, Michigan Medicine