May 10, 2023
Dear colleagues and friends,
These past few days have been busy, with graduation ceremonies for the Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs on Friday, May 5, Genetic Counseling Training Program on May 6, and the Medical Imaging program and Emory University commencement on Monday, May 8.
At the School of Medicine MD diploma ceremony, 128 students received their MD degrees including eight who received MD/PhD degrees, thirteen MD/MPH and three MD/MBA degrees. In addition, one student received a joint MSCR/MD degree while another spent an extra year at Harvard Kennedy School to obtain a master’s degree in public policy. Guest speaker Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health, spoke to the students about the opioid epidemic, the increasing problem with substance use and the importance of caring for persons with substance use disorder without stigma or discrimination. Dr. Hughes Evans was awarded the Evangeline Papageorge award, the highest and most prestigious award in the School of Medicine, and Dr. Amanda Gillespie received the Provost Distinguished Teaching Award in Graduate Professional Education.
At the Division of Physical Therapy diploma ceremony, 53 students received their Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degrees. Nine students graduated with the highest honors and 9 with honors. Twenty students were recognized with awards in the categories of academic, clinical, critical thinking, leadership, service and diversity excellence. Retiring DPT faculty member Dr. Bruce Greenfield, professor of rehabilitation medicine and senior fellow of the Emory Center for Ethics, delivered a graduation speech focused on 7 valuable lessons for students as they begin their careers as health care professionals. Finally, Division Director Dr. George D. Fulk recognized Dr. Steven Wolf for his more than 50 years of affiliation with Emory as a student and faculty member and his distinguished accomplishments as “a world expert in Physical Therapy, a prolific, innovative researcher and leader who made seminal contributions to patient care and physical therapy, a sought-after lecturer and teacher who has been a valued mentor to students, residents and junior faculty and a major contributor to the medical school, and many national and international organizations.”
At the Genetic Counseling diploma ceremony, 12 students received their Master of Medical Science Degrees in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling. The commencement address was given by Dr. Kate Garber, associate professor in the Department of Human Genetics. Dr. Stephanie Wechsler received the Paul M. Fernhoff Excellence in Teaching Award. Two student speakers spoke to the class and audience of the incredible bonds of friendship and support they received throughout the program.
At the School of Medicine Medical Imaging diploma ceremony, 13 students received their BMSc degrees including five with honors and three with highest honors. The graduation speaker was faculty member Sean Strickler who spoke to the students, families, and friends about the courage and conviction of the graduates stepping into roles of frontline health care professionals just as the COVID-19 pandemic began raging. He encouraged the students to find their own paths forward, stating, "don't fill my shoes, fill your own shoes." Ms. Sonya Cromer, clinical preceptor and imaging technologist at Emory Midtown, was recognized as the Patricia Aycock Kimbell Clinical Educator of the Year.
On Monday morning at University Commencement honorary degrees were conferred to philanthropists and health care advocates James and Sarah Kennedy. The Kennedys have been generous supporters of the Emory Brain Health Center and Winship Cancer Institute. Their contributions in the areas of sustainability, early childhood education, health care and the arts have helped improve the quality of life in our community.
An honorary degree was also conferred to Mr. Anthony Ray Hinton who was the university commencement speaker. Mr. Hinton entered Death Row in Alabama in 1986 for crimes he did not commit. He spent the next 30 years in custody until the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) secured his freedom. Hinton now serves as an EJI community educator and is a tireless and powerful advocate for the abolition of the death penalty. He also works with LifeLines, which supports prisoners on Death Row through letter writing, and is the author of the New York Times 2018 bestselling book “The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row.” His address was inspiring and worth listening to.
At commencement, Dr. Ira Schwartz received the exemplary teacher of the year award. This is the highest teaching award in the entire university.
Please join me in congratulating these amazing colleagues and my sincere thanks to our medical education staff and faculty who hosted four diploma ceremonies in as many days!
Sincerely,
Carlos
Carlos del Rio, MD
Interim Dean, Emory University School of Medicine
Interim Chief Academic Officer, Emory Healthcare
Leon L. Haley, Jr. MD Distinguished Professor of Medicine
Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine