Feinberg
Northwestern Medicine | Northwestern University | Faculty Profiles

News Center

  • Categories
    • Campus News
    • Disease Discoveries
    • Clinical Breakthroughs
    • Education News
    • Scientific Advances
  • Press Releases
  • Media Coverage
  • Podcasts
  • Editor’s Picks
    • COVID-19
    • Cardiology
    • Cancer
    • Neurology and Neuroscience
    • Aging and Longevity
    • Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
  • News Archives
  • About Us
    • Media Contact
    • Share Your News
    • News Feeds
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
Menu
  • Categories
    • Campus News
    • Disease Discoveries
    • Clinical Breakthroughs
    • Education News
    • Scientific Advances
  • Press Releases
  • Media Coverage
  • Podcasts
  • Editor’s Picks
    • COVID-19
    • Cardiology
    • Cancer
    • Neurology and Neuroscience
    • Aging and Longevity
    • Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
  • News Archives
  • About Us
    • Media Contact
    • Share Your News
    • News Feeds
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
Home » Celebrating the Class of 2018
Education News

Celebrating the Class of 2018

By Anna WilliamsMay 22, 2018
Share
Facebook Twitter Email

As Cynthia Perez, ’18 MD, prepared to accept her doctoral hood and diploma at Feinberg’s 159th convocation ceremony, she took a moment to recognize all those who have supported her along the path to medicine.

Eric G. Neilson, MD, vice president for Medical Affairs and Lewis Landsberg Dean, in his address to the graduates, said, "The integration of knowledge with humanity is the true hallmark of a great physician."
Eric G. Neilson, MD, vice president for Medical Affairs and Lewis Landsberg Dean, in his address to the graduates, said, “The integration of knowledge with humanity is the true hallmark of a great physician.”

“Graduating from medical school is surreal. Though I’ll be the one crossing the stage, I will be carrying all the efforts of my mother, teachers, friends and community with me,” said Perez, who was the first in her family to graduate high school and will soon enter a residency in pediatrics at NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. “In Mexico, my mother did not have the educational opportunities I had, but made sure I had everything I needed growing up. I’m so thankful for her love and support.”

Feinberg’s convocation, held May 21 in the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier, began with an introduction by Eric G. Neilson, MD, vice president for Medical Affairs and Lewis Landsberg Dean, who welcomed graduating medical students, faculty, family and friends to the ceremony.

During his remarks, Neilson emphasized that competence is fundamental to the ethics of the medical profession.

“While many may think a great bedside manner is the first principle of medical ethics, it is not. The first principle of medical ethics is competency, and you cannot be competent unless you are fluent in the language of science and willing to bring new discoveries to the bedside. Humanism is merely the proper vehicle through which we convey such competence,” he said. “The integration of knowledge with humanity is the true hallmark of a great physician.”

convocation_2018_02
David Skorton, ‘74 MD, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, delivered Feinberg’s convocation address.

Neilson introduced David Skorton, ‘74 MD, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, who delivered the convocation address.

Skorton, the first physician to lead the Smithsonian, discussed his cherished time at Feinberg, lessons from a life in medicine and his conviction in the deep connection between science, the arts and humanities.

“During your time at Feinberg, you have received a world-class education. But a lifetime of life experience has taught me that success in the biomedical disciplines — whether it’s direct patient care, research, education or assistance with healthcare delivery — requires more than the scientific education we receive in school,” said Skorton, a cardiologist whose research has focused on congenital heart disease and cardiac imaging. “It also requires a deep and full understanding of people and of the greater society in which we all live.”

He also spoke of the importance of lifelong learning. “Because of the educational foundation you have received here, you will excel. But I also hope that you will every day broaden your horizons, learn new things — and learn them in new ways — and explore the full spectrum of what it means to be human,” Skorton said. “If you do, it will not only make you better at what you do, it will enrich your lives in ways you cannot possibly imagine today.”

Morton Schapiro, PhD, president of Northwestern, also shared his well wishes with the graduating class. “As you leave Northwestern University, I know you will have careers like David’s that will be credits to your mentors and friends and family, as well as to your alma mater. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and congratulate you for a job brilliantly done.”

Marianne Green, MD, senior associate dean for Medical Education, presented the members of the class of 2018. As the new graduates crossed the stage, they received their doctoral hood and diploma from their college mentor or from a family member who is a physician.

convocation_2018_03
At the closing of the convocation ceremony, members of the Class of 2018 recited the Declaration of Geneva, the modern declaration of the physician’s oath.

After degrees were conferred, Varshini Cherukupalli, ’18 MD, delivered a message to her fellow graduating students about the importance of personal relationships.

“As student physicians, we have each been able to make a difference in small, yet incredibly significant ways. But the power of a personal relationship is not limited to our patients,” said Cherukupalli, who was nominated by her peers to be the class speaker. “Our mentors and faculty have been there since that first day of orientation, whether it was poring over portfolios or helping us figure out which specialty we would pursue. Our family and friends have been there to support us through the ups and downs of wards, each rotation and through the residency application process. But most importantly, we have been there for each other.”

As the convocation ceremony concluded, Neilson led the graduates in reciting the Declaration of Geneva, the modern declaration of the physician’s oath — the same one they took as first-year medical students at Founders’ Day.

Twenty-eight members of this year’s class were inducted into the medical honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha. Twelve received Magna Cum Laude in Scientia Experimentali and 16 received Cum Laude in Scientia Experimentali. Thirteen graduates received summa cum laude, four received magna cum laude and nine received cum laude.

Of the graduates who earned joint degrees, 18 completed a PhD in the Medical Scientist Training Program, six received a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, five received a Master’s Degree in Public Health and five received a Master’s Degree in Medical Humanities and Bioethics.

A reception for graduates of the class of 2018, family and friends followed the convocation ceremony.

“I’m experiencing a lot of emotions,” said John Campo, ’18 MD, who graduated cum laude and was also the recipient of the Frederick and Harriett Stenn Award for Humanism in Medicine at the annual Honors Day event. “For one, I feel a sense of excitement, on a level that I have not experienced before. I also feel a sense of awe. The individuals I am graduating with represent some of the brightest, most compassionate people I have ever met. They inspire me to continually strive to push my limits and be my best self.”

Campo, who will begin a residency in emergency medicine at Harbor–UCLA Medical Center this summer, also used the moment to reflect on the next phase of his medical career. “As I look forward to residency, I am humbled with the knowledge that there is still so much to learn,” he said. “Despite this, I feel confident in the training and skills Northwestern has provided me with. It’s a solid foundation on which I will build upon.”

Education Medical Education Students
Share. Facebook Twitter Email

Related Posts

Sex-Specific Mechanisms for Major Depressive Disorder Identified in Response to Dysregulated Stress Hormones

Mar 23, 2023

AOA Honors New Members

Mar 20, 2023

Celebrating Feinberg’s 2023 Match Day

Mar 17, 2023

Comments are closed.

Latest News

Sex-Specific Mechanisms for Major Depressive Disorder Identified in Response to Dysregulated Stress Hormones

Mar 23, 2023

Pre-Surgery Immunotherapy May Increase Survival in Advanced Melanoma

Mar 23, 2023

Hormone Therapy Plus Current Treatments Improves Survival in Prostate Cancer

Mar 22, 2023

How ChatGPT Has, and Will Continue to, Transform Scientific Research

Mar 21, 2023

New Directions for HIV Treatment

Mar 21, 2023
  • News Center Home
  • Categories
  • Press Release
  • Media Coverage
  • Editor’s Picks
  • News Archives
  • About Us
Flickr Photos
20230317_NM651
20230317_NM610
20230317_NM569
20230317_NM537
20230317_NM331
20230317_NM323
20230317_NM316
20230317_NM336
20230317_NM626
20230317_NM662
20230317_NM655
20230317_NM642

Northwestern University logo

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

RSS Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Flickr YouTube Instagram
Copyright © 2023 Northwestern University
  • Contact Northwestern University
  • Disclaimer
  • Campus Emergency Information
  • Policy Statements

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.