Student Affairs and Resources

109th School of Medicine Commencement

Commencement for the Temple University School of Medicine Class of 2011 was held on May 16, 2011. The event was held at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, a beautiful venue for the upbeat gathering of graduates, faculty, friends and family. Photos by Joseph V. Labolito, Temple University

A full collection of Class of 2011 Commencement photos is available for viewing, download or purchase at

http://templeuniversityschoolofmedicine.shutterfly.com/pictures/1958

Commencement for the Temple University School of Medicine Class of 2011, held on May 16, 2011, recognized the achievements of 177 students who earned the doctor of medicine degree; three who earned a dual doctor of medicine and doctor of philosophy degree; 18 who earned the doctor of philosophy degree; and six who earned the master of science degree. The event was held at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, a beautiful venue for the upbeat gathering of graduates, faculty, friends and family.

Following the performance of the national anthem by The Transplantations, the medical student a cappella group, Dean Larry R. Kaiser, MD, addressed the graduates and their loved ones. He told the graduating class that they are entering the medical profession during a time of uncertainty, as the landscape of healthcare in the United States stands poised for change. “You will be a part of this change in the years to come,” he said to the graduates, “and there is no greater calling than the profession you have chosen.”

Emeritus Dean, John M. Daly, MD, an alumnus of the school himself, served as the commencement’s keynote speaker. He reflected on the contrast of having seen the graduates in sandals and cut-offs during their orientation as brand-new students in 2007 to seeing them in caps and gowns at commencement. “This graduation is just a point in your journey as you become a physician,” he said.

He advised the new graduates to think about how technology is changing healthcare delivery and diagnosis. Technological advances like electronic medical records and searchable online data bases better equip physicians and are creating more informed patients. But despite these technological advancements, he implored the graduates, “do not forget the critical importance of the patient-doctor relationship.”

Nevin McGinley, MD’11, President of the Class of 2011, spoke on behalf of his classmates. He recalled the prominent quote by Sir William Osler: The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease. “This quote reinforces what we learned at Temple,” he said.

Dr. McGinley pointed out that there were three main groups of people who helped all graduates throughout their years at TUSM: family, mentors, and patients. Family members and mentors provided love, support, and compassion throughout their years of studies. “But the patients, they challenged us to be the best doctors we could be,” he said.

Andrew Foderaro, MD ’11, co-editor of the 2011 yearbook, The Skull, sang the praises of the faculty member chosen by the class as its yearbook dedicatee, James Heckman, PhD, Associate Professor of Physiology. Dr. Foderaro praised Dr. Heckman as a faculty member who demonstrates dedication to teaching both in and outside of the classroom, a professor who “gets to know his students as a whole.”

In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Heckman thanked the graduates for helping him hone his teaching skills through his experiences teaching them. He reminded the graduates to consider themselves physicians and educators because they would be educating their patients as well as treating them. Recalling his sailing excursions with students, Dr. Heckman’s parting words were: “may you always have fair winds and flowing seas.”

Participating in the presentation of MS and PhD diplomas were Dean Kaiser and Scott Shore, PhD, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. Participating in the presentation of diplomas to the MD degree recipients were Drs. Richard Kozera, MD, Executive Associate Dean;, Kathleen Reeves, MD, Associate Dean of Student Affairs; and Gerald Sterling, PhD, Senior Associate Dean of Education. Dean Kaiser conferred all the degrees with Solomon Luo, MD, representing the University Board of Trustees.

Serving as Marshals were faculty members Drs. Brett Oxberry and Anuradha Paranjape. Assisting with the hooding of the graduates were Drs. Steven R. Houser, Marc Monestier, Ellen Unterwald, Dianne Soprano, Paul Lyons, Alisa Peet, Stephen Permut, and Carson Schneck.

Dr. McGinley led the recitation of the Hippocratic Oath. Organist Wesley Parrott provided the processional and recessional music. William Schulze, Assistant Dean for Academic Affiliations, gave the invocation and benediction, and Executive Associate Dean Richard Kozera served as Master of Ceremonies.

Among the graduates were 18 individuals with family members who also graduated from the School of Medicine and/or who serve as faculty. As is Temple tradition, these family members took their places on stage to participate in the conferring of diplomas.

The graduates will now embark on post-graduate training at Yale, Wake Forest, Duke, and other leading institutions across the United States. Approximately 32% will remain in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including 27 who will continue their training at Temple. Those with MS and PhD degrees will pursue careers in industry, government and education.

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