June 29, 2022 | Lauren Robinson
The University of Maryland School of Medicine Celebrates its 213th Graduation Ceremony In Person
After four years of hard work and perseverance, graduates of the Class of 2022 at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) gathered at the Hippodrome Theatre on May 19 to celebrate their official transition from medical students to physicians. This year’s ceremony was especially significant for two reasons: It was the first grand scale in-person graduation celebration since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the final commencement ceremony over which current UMSOM Dean E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA would preside. The graduating class of 148 physicians, who earned medical degrees, along with others who earned combined MD/Masters and MD/PhD degrees, received their doctoral hoods in front of hundreds of family members, friends, and faculty.
“We are delighted that we can be convening in one place, one time after a few years of hiatus to celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of our students,” said Dean Reece, who is also Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor. In his direct address to the class, Dean Reece said, “Your courage and bravery will be called upon in your endeavors of treating patients, conducting research, or doing both. Stay focused and achieve excellence in all that you do… You will achieve your goals and more by doing so.”
In addition to remarks from Dean Reece and selected faculty and students, the ceremony also featured a keynote address to the Class of 2022 by Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, U.S. Surgeon General. As the Nation’s Doctor, Dr. Murthy provides clear, consistent, and equitable guidance and resources to the public on many critical public health issues and serves as a key advisor to President Biden's pandemic response operation.
In a captivating keynote address, Dr. Murthy emphasized the power of human connection. “Stand up for the value of every life. Our responsibility as doctors is to affirm the value of every life amid disparities,” he said. “Put people first at work, at home, at all places in your life. I learned that my worth does not depend on my job title, but rather on my humanity.” Dr. Murthy was also presented with a Dean’s Distinguished Gold Medal for his extraordinary contributions to medicine and science and exemplary national leadership.
Reflections from UMSOM’s Class of 2022
“When caring for patients, I have learned that it is important to advocate for your patients and to allow your patients to be advocates for themselves. You have to listen to them and treat each person the way you would want to have your own family treated.”
Malina Howard, MD ’22, Class President for the Class of 2022, will complete her residency in Family Medicine at the University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill, NC.
“I am looking forward to the breadth and diversity of patient interactions I will experience as I take the next step in becoming a family medicine resident to better serve the members of my community.”
Lauren Kasoff, MD ’22 will complete her residency in Family Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA.
“UMSOM has prepared me exceptionally well for the next step in my career. It has offered me all that I could ever ask for as far as academic challenge, faculty support, and friends that will last a lifetime.”
Roger Lin, MD ’22 will complete his residency in Internal Medicine at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.
“The peers, professors, patients, attendings, residents, and staff created an incredible environment to pursue my medical training, even in the face of the constantly changing circumstances we faced during our time in school. Over the past four years, it has been incredible to be surrounded by empathetic, kind, devoted, and supportive individuals.”
Michael Sullivan, MD ’22 will complete his combined residency in Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, MD.
“I have had a breadth of experiences in medical school that have given me a solid foundation to build on in the years to come. My problem-solving abilities have increased tremendously over the past four years. I look forward to the added responsibility that comes with being a resident physician, as it will improve my ability to care for patients and positively impact their lives.”
Mark Waguespack, MD ’22 will complete his internship in Internal Medicine at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, MD. He then will attend his residency in Anesthesiology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA.
The Class of 2022 matched at 69 different healthcare facilities in 25 states, with 24 percent of the class staying in the state of Maryland for their residency training.
Video: Highlights from the 2022 Commencement
UMSOM Graduation 2022 Gallery
About the University of Maryland School of Medicine
Now in its third century, the University of Maryland School of Medicine was chartered in 1807 as the first public medical school in the United States. It continues today as one of the fastest growing, top-tier biomedical research enterprises in the world -- with 46 academic departments, centers, institutes, and programs, and a faculty of more than 3,000 physicians, scientists, and allied health professionals, including members of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, and a distinguished two-time winner of the Albert E. Lasker Award in Medical Research. With an operating budget of more than $1.3 billion, the School of Medicine works closely in partnership with the University of Maryland Medical Center and Medical System to provide research-intensive, academic and clinically based care for nearly 2 million patients each year. The School of Medicine has nearly $600 million in extramural funding, with most of its academic departments highly ranked among all medical schools in the nation in research funding. As one of the seven professional schools that make up the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, the School of Medicine has a total population of nearly 9,000 faculty and staff, including 2,500 students, trainees, residents, and fellows. The combined School of Medicine and Medical System (“University of Maryland Medicine”) has an annual budget of over $6 billion and an economic impact of nearly $20 billion on the state and local community. The School of Medicine, which ranks as the 8th highest among public medical schools in research productivity (according to the Association of American Medical Colleges profile) is an innovator in translational medicine, with 606 active patents and 52 start-up companies. In the latest U.S. News & World Report ranking of the Best Medical Schools, published in 2021, the UM School of Medicine is ranked #9 among the 92 public medical schools in the U.S., and in the top 15 percent (#27) of all 192 public and private U.S. medical schools. The School of Medicine works locally, nationally, and globally, with research and treatment facilities in 36 countries around the world. Visit medschool.umaryland.edu
Contact
Lauren Robinson
Public Affairs/Community Health Specialist
Managing Editor, SOM News
Office of Public Affairs & Communications
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Lauren.Robinson@som.umaryland.edu
Office: 410.706.7508
Work Cell: 443.743.9047
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