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
Related stories
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy to Deliver Graduation Address to the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s 213th Graduating Class
University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) Dean E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, announced today that Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, will deliver the keynote address for this year’s graduating class. The UMSOM graduation ceremony will take place at the Hippodrome Theatre on Thursday, May 19, 2022. Doors open at 12:00 pm, the procession begins at 1:30 pm, and the ceremony begins at 2:00 pm.
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Worth the Wait
After years of hard work and steadfast perseverance, University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) medical students gathered at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on March 18, 2022 to take part in this year’s Match Day ceremony. In this annual ceremony, graduating medical students from around the country and at UMSOM discover where they will begin their careers as physicians. This year was especially significant because it was the first in-person celebration with families and friends since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The long-awaited day was worth the wait as students were finally able to reflect and celebrate their milestone accomplishment.
Thursday, January 27, 2022
16th Annual Medical Student Auction Supports Fight Against Food Insecurity
In keeping with tradition since 2006, the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) Class of 2024 Student Government has organized this year’s Annual Second-Year Medical Student Auction. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Bmore Community Food, an organization committed to serving the vulnerable and marginalized population in Baltimore City who are experiencing food insecurity. The remaining funds will support the Class of 2024 medical student activities.
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
UM School of Medicine Names Sofia Cascio as the First Director of Student Financial Wellness
Donna L. Parker, MD, Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education, along with Kerri Thom, MD, MS, Associate Dean for Student Affairs at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), announced today that Sofia Cascio, MBA, has been named the school’s first Director of Student Financial Wellness.
Wednesday, July 07, 2021
Overcoming Pandemic Challenges, Third-Year Medical Students Celebrate Annual Student Clinician Ceremony
The annual Student Clinician Ceremony at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) was held in Leadership Hall on July 2, 2021, to formally welcome the third-year medical students to their clinical rotations. In their rotations, students begin seeing patients alongside doctors and residents as they gain experience in primary care and medical specialties.
Friday, May 15, 2020
UMSOM Holds Virtual Commencement to Celebrate Class of 2020
For the first time in the school’s 211-year history, the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) held a virtual commencement ceremony to celebrate the Class of 2020 on May 14. The ceremony marked the culmination of at least four years of studies for the 166 newly minted physicians, who earned medical degrees as well as combined MD/PhD and MD/Masters degrees.
Monday, March 23, 2020
The Wait Is Over: It’s Match Day 2020
Even as physicians across the United States and around the world confront the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of the residency match is more evident than ever. According to the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP), this year’s Main Residency Match is the largest in history, exceeding the more than 44,000 applicants who registered for the 2019 Match. This year, 161 University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) students matched at 73 different hospitals in 29 states. Thirty-eight members of the Class of 2020 will stay in the state of Maryland for their residency training.
Monday, February 17, 2020
14th Annual Medical Student Auction Makes Bid to Fight Homelessness
“Our class is very excited about hosting this year’s auction,” says Malina Howard, Class of 2022 MD candidate at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM). “It is going to be a big team effort!” Malina is speaking about the preparations for the Annual Second Year Medical Student Auction, which will be held Thursday, February 20, 2020, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Southern Management Corporation (SMC) Campus Center, 621 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. This event is open to parents, students, faculty, and staff.
Wednesday, November 06, 2019
First-Year University of Maryland School of Medicine Medical Students Celebrate White Coat Ceremony
The University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) held its annual White Coat Ceremony on November 1 at the Hippodrome Theatre in downtown Baltimore.
Wednesday, July 03, 2019
UMSOM Class 2021 Celebrate Annual Student Clinician’s Ceremony
The Annual Student Clinician Ceremony was held today, to mark the Class of 2021 progression from basic sciences classroom instruction to their clinical years of medical education. The Class gathered in Davidge Hall, to hear inspirational messages from their mentors and revisit the Hippocratic Oath taken during the White Coat Ceremony.
Friday, May 17, 2019
So Long, Farewell, Class of 2019
The Class of 2019 received their doctoral hoods in a special graduation ceremony at the Hippodrome Theater on May 17. The ceremony marked the culmination of at least four years of studies for the 162 physicians, who earned medical degrees, as well as combined MD/PhD and MD/Masters degrees. Hundreds of family, friends, and faculty were there to cheer on the graduates as they officially transitioned from students to doctors.
Friday, May 17, 2019
13th Annual Student Awards Ceremony Recognizes Top Medical Graduates
“Tonight, we celebrate our exceptional students who have worked diligently in the pursuit of excellence towards their medical degrees,” said E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs at UM Baltimore, John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor, and Dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, as he welcomed distinguished guests, donors, faculty, students and their families at the 13th annual Student Awards Ceremony and Dinner held on Wednesday, May 15 at the Baltimore Marriot Inner Harbor at Camden Yards.
Thursday, May 02, 2019
Leading Child Health Expert and NIH Official Dr. Diana Bianchi to Deliver Graduation Address to the University of Maryland School of Medicine's 210th Graduating Class
University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) Dean E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, announced today that Diana W. Bianchi, MD, Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), will deliver the keynote address for this year’s graduating class. The UMSOM graduation ceremony will take place at the Hippodrome Theatre on May 16. Doors open at 12:30 pm, the procession begins at 1:30 pm and the ceremony begins at 2:00 pm.
Friday, March 15, 2019
From Dreams to Reality: Match Day 2019 at the University of Maryland School of Medicine
After years of hard work, determination, and personal sacrifice, University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) medical students’ dreams finally came to fruition at the Match Day ceremony on March 15. At exactly noon, medical students at the UMSOM and around the country, some 30,000 students across the U.S., received an envelope telling them where they will do their residency training. It was truly a day filled with excitement and anticipation for the UMSOM Class of 2019 at Baltimore’s famed Hippodrome Theater.
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
UMSOM Class of 2021 Host Annual Student Auction
“The Annual Student Auction is a phenomenal way to bring the School of Medicine community together to support a meaningful cause,” says Saif Yasin, Class of 2021 President, and MD/PhD student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM).
Monday, December 03, 2018
Members of the Class of 2022 Receive Their White Coats
The University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) held its annual White Coat Ceremony on November 1 at the Hippodrome Theatre in downtown Baltimore.
Friday, May 18, 2018
Annual Student Awards Ceremony Recognizes Top Graduates
Following four years of countless tests, late-night study groups, and many cups of coffee, events leading up to graduation began with the 12th annual Student Awards Ceremony and Dinner.
Thursday, May 17, 2018
Saying Farewell to the Class of 2018
The Class of 2018 received their doctoral hoods in a special graduation ceremony at the Hippodrome Theater on May 17. Hundreds of family, friends, and faculty were there to cheer on the 146 graduates as they officially transitioned from students to doctors.
Tuesday, May 01, 2018
UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski to Deliver Graduation Address to University of Maryland School of Medicine's 209th Graduating Class
University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) Dean E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, announced today that Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, MA, PhD, President of the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), will deliver the keynote address for this year’s graduating class. The UMSOM graduation ceremony will take place at 10 am on May 17, 2018 at the Hippodrome Theatre.
Friday, March 16, 2018
Match Day: Will Med Students’ Dreams Come True?
It’s Match Day, when graduating med students across the country find out where they’ll spend their residencies. In a gripping, emotional ceremony at the Hippodrome Theater, students in the Class of 2018 will be handed an envelope with the name of their residency. The event is a true-life reality show, because students do not know ahead of time where they are going.
Thursday, May 18, 2017
So Long and Farewell to the Class of 2017
The Class of 2017 were the stars as they celebrated their graduation ceremony at the Hippodrome Theater on May 18. Hundreds of family, friends and faculty were there to cheer on the 160 graduates as they officially transitioned from students to doctors. “This celebration is also about you and, indeed, for you,” E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean, University of Maryland School of Medicine, told the families “This celebration is also about you and, indeed, for you.
Monday, April 24, 2017
New York Times Science Journalist Gina Kolata to Deliver Graduation Address to University of Maryland School of Medicine's 208th Graduating Class
University of Maryland School of Medicine (UM SOM) Dean E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, along with students, parents, families, faculty and other members of the UM SOM community, will welcome award-winning science journalist and University of Maryland alumna, Gina Kolata, MS, as the graduation speaker for this year’s graduating class. The UM SOM graduation ceremony will take place at 10am on May 18, 2017 at the Hippodrome Theater. As this year’s speaker, Ms. Kolata will receive an honorary Dean’s Medal from the UM SOM.
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Annual Student Awards Ceremony Recognizes Top Graduates
The events leading up to Graduation 2016 kicked off in a special way the evening of May 18 with the 10th Annual Student Awards Ceremony and Dinner. Held at the Southern Management Corporation Campus Center, the awards dinner provided an opportunity to recognize the accomplished graduating students who have received scholarships, awards, and other academic prizes.