The weather was gray outside Galen Center on Saturday, May 16, but inside it was bright with cardinal and gold as MD and MD/PhD graduates buzzed with excitement during commencement ceremonies for the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
Just before 3 p.m., the 168 medical degree recipients donned red caps and gowns, exuding pride as they readied themselves to march into the arena to the tune of pomp and circumstance.
“It’s an amazing day,” said MD candidate TC Scotton, who will attend the psychiatry residency training program at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA this summer. “Today is the culmination of four long years of hard work and sacrifice. Seeing my classmates and their families all dressed up today puts it all into perspective.”
Members of the Nepal medical response team who attended the Keck School of Medicine commencement: USC medical response team: Ramona Paolim, Karen Kim Embrey, Edward Newton, Shihab Sugeir and Kenji Inaba. Lydia Lam of the team was unable to attend.
Carmen A. Puliafito, MD, MBA, dean of the Keck School, opened the ceremony by congratulating the Class of 2015 and acknowledging key faculty members. He also acknowledged the six staff members from the Keck School and Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center who recently traveled to Nepal to provide medical aid following the devastating April 25 earthquake.
“These extraordinary individuals are role models for our medical students because they show the importance of community service on a global scale,” said Puliafito.
Next, Provost Michael W. Quick, PhD, gave an inspiring speech to the graduates. “‘Fight On!’ is a wonderful slogan and greeting. But, for graduates of this medical school, it is more than just that,” said Quick, who is also the senior vice president of academic affairs. “For you, it is a call to action. For you, it is a call to service. For you, it is a plea from your patients. For you, it is your mission. So, I say to the Keck School of Medicine, Class of 2015: ‘Fight On!’”
Vice Dean Henri Ford, Provost Michael Quick, commencement speaker Charles Gibson and Dean Carmen A. Puliafito.
Charles Gibson, journalist and former ABC News Good Morning America anchor, gave the commencement address, which made parallels between the medical and journalism professions.
“Both of our professions involve a sacred trust,” said Gibson. “Journalists give a voice to those who might not otherwise be heard. As doctors, you have the sacred trust of caring for people. Giving them the health they need to be as productive as possible, as contented as possible, as hopeful as possible, and as fully realized human beings.”
Most of Saturday’s graduates received MD degrees, but five earned an MD/PhD degree, two earned an MD/MBA and one earned a MD/MPH.
Other health and medicine commencement ceremonies had taken place throughout the week.
On May 13, the Keck School awarded 173 master’s degrees in a variety of biological and biomedical fields, 132 master’s of public health degrees, 43 PhD degrees and four master’s of academic medicine degrees.
Dean Puliafito also gave welcoming remarks during this ceremony, followed by a commencement address from Keith R. Yamamoto, PhD, vice chancellor for research at the University of California, San Francisco. Yamamoto encouraged graduates to take risks in their careers.
“The conventional wisdom is to play it safe, hold back and wait until you’re established to take risks, but I disagree,” said Yamamoto, who is also executive vice dean of the UCSF School of Medicine. “Seek out risk. Seek out adventure with a capital ‘A’. All of the great results that make science exciting come shrouded in risk because there are no sure things among interesting things. So, just like the Nike ads say—‘Just do it’.”
ROTC scholar Christine Hogan was among those who received a PhD, MPH or MS degree on May 13 from the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
In the audience was Christine Hogan, an ROTC scholar who earned a master’s degree in pathology while training for the military. As a soldier-student, a typical day for Hogan included early morning workouts with the Army, attending classes for both Army and USC courses, followed by evening shifts at Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles, working in the laboratory of Yves DeClerk, MD. After her six-year contract with the Army, Hogan plans to attend medical school and pursue her goal to become a global leader in health care.
“People ask me why I am going into active duty rather than work in a lab or in corporate America. But I believe that nothing is more important than serving our country as a medical services officer in the United States military,” said Hogan, who has been selected to be trained as a medical evacuation pilot and fly Blackhawk helicopters. “Life is too short not to pursue your dreams and do what you want to do.”
On May 15, additional health-related ceremonies took place, many in conjunction with commencement at the University Park campus.
The USC School of Pharmacy awarded 182 PharmD degrees, 13 PhD degrees and five doctor of regulatory science degrees. Additionally, 52 graduates were awarded master’s degrees and 44 pharmacists completed their residency training.
Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy awarded 91 Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees, four master’s degrees in biokinesiology and eight PhD degrees in biokinesiology. Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy honored 45 Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree recipients, 137 who earned master’s degrees and 10 who received bachelor’s degrees.
The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC awarded 174 doctor of dental surgery degrees, three PhD degrees in craniofacial biology, five master’s degrees in dental hygiene, 17 master’s degrees in orofacial pain and oral medicine, 45 advanced specialty degrees and 37 bachelor’s degrees in dental hygiene.
Family Medicine’s Primary Care Physician Assistant Program awarded 56 master’s of physician assistant practice degrees. Preventive Medicine awarded 116 bachelor of science degrees to undergraduates in the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, and Global Health programs.
— Sharon Brock
Soon-to-be MD Jazmin Cole is all smiles during the Keck School commencement.
Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy Division graduates circle up to celebrate.
Co-class president Reem Itani delights the crowd with observations about a medical education while giving the student address at the MD and MD/PhD commencement.
The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry granted a total of 281 degrees at its May 15 commencement.
T.C. Scotton and Megan Early chat after receiving their MD degrees.
Mariya Kalashnikova beams as she is recognized for her academic achievements during the commencement ceremony on May 16.
Graduates in the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Global Health programs let their emotions show in a May 15 group photo with faculty.
Dean of Diversity Affairs Althea Alexander and new MD recipients celebrate after the May 16 commencement.
School of Pharmacy graduates show their Trojan Pride on May 15 as they prepare to receive their diplomas.
Lt. Col. Ghia P. Simmons conducts an Air Force commissioning ceremony during the Primary Care Physician Assistant commencement.
Selfies and rain gear were common, as Occupational Science/ Occupational Therapy faculty marshal Sarah Bream shows.
Prior to the commencement procession, Kevin Platt snaps a photo of classmates Allison Woo, Grant Meyer, Amanda Sandoval and Ryan Kobayashi.
Valedictorian Alexander Yuen was introduced by University President C.L. Max Nikias during the main commencement ceremony in Alumni Park.
Graduating students in the Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy program at the May 15 commencement in Alumni Park.
MD graduate Nick Saade shows off his “Dr. Nick” statuette