Mayo Clinic celebrated the graduation of the next generation of physicians and scientists. In a combined ceremony in Rochester, Minnesota, on Friday, May 16, students received degrees conferred by Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Forty-six new physicians joined the prestigious Mayo Clinic alumni, and 42 new biomedical scientists received doctoral degrees. In addition, 37 students received master's degrees.  

They join 48 other Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine students in Jacksonville, Florida, and Phoenix who graduated this week. The students will move on to residencies and positions at Mayo Clinic and across the country, helping ease the physician shortage and becoming future science and healthcare leaders.

Dr. Saranya Wyles was the keynote speaker. Dr. Wyles is a Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science alumna and Mayo Clinic dermatologist-scientist with specialized training in regenerative medicine and additional focus on skin aging. 

She encouraged graduates to remember Mayo's primary value, reinforced throughout their training: The needs of the patient come first. "It sounds simple," she said, "but in a world that sometimes confuses fame with purpose, or fortune with fulfillment, it is revolutionary. When things get hard — and they will — let that mantra reorient you. It's your North Star. It will never fail you."

The commencement ceremony featured a student speaker from each school. Dr. Steven Callori was the student speaker from Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, and as a soon-to-be physician, he reflected on the accomplishment at this stage of his education. 

"As we embark on this next stage in training, I hope you all remember this one. Remember the joy and pride in your accomplishments in the hearts of those around you today, and give yourselves credit for the amazing people that you are and the amazing physicians you are all certain to become," said Dr. Callori.    

Dr. Esther Rodman was the student speaker from Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. She focused on cancer during her Ph.D. research. She urged graduates to use their training constructively for society. 

"We now hold a degree that gives us a platform. We're trained to think critically, to problem-solve, to ask tough questions. And we can use that — not just to publish papers, but to advocate for what we believe in, to speak up for patients, to mentor the next generation. I hope we take these skills with us wherever we go next — whether it's in academia, industry, policy, education or something entirely new. The world needs that more than ever," said Dr. Rodman.

Dr. Fredric Meyer, Waugh Executive Dean of Education, concluded the ceremony with these remarks: "You have chosen a noble profession. You will be on the front lines of some of the most important health issues and challenges of our time. You have an enormous responsibility to listen when others are not and to see what others do not, and to heal the ills of both your patients and society. I'm optimistic that the future of medicine will no doubt be brilliant with these graduates entering the field."

Commencement recordings

Visit the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science website to view the commencement ceremony recordings from Arizona, Florida and Minnesota.

Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network."

About Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is a national medical school with four-year medical degree programs in Rochester and Arizona. The school also offers a Florida program, enabling students to complete their first two years of medical studies in Arizona or Minnesota, and their final two years of learning in Florida. For more information, visit Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine.

About Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers world-class graduate education leading to Ph.D. and M.D.-Ph.D. degrees, as well as master's degree programs. The school offers research opportunities on campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, with training by leading investigators and clinicians in cutting-edge biomedical fields. For more information, visit Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. 

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

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