Students at NYU Grossman School of Medicine joined a virtual graduation ceremony via videoconference.
Photo: 細細篇撞 Health
On Friday, April 3, 52 students at graduated more than a month early in a virtual ceremony, joined by their families and the schools leaders. NYU Grossman School of Medicine was the first medical school in the nation to offer early graduation to fourth-year medical students to help treat people with 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
It was a unique ceremony, unlike any in the schools history; the remarkable group of studentswho have all completed their graduation requirementsanswered the call to join the workforce early, as interns in 細細篇撞s or 糸艶沿温姻岳馨艶稼岳壊.油
Your choice to join us in this fight is inspirational, said Steven B. Abramson, MD, vice dean for education, faculty and academic affairs, noting that the students teachers would now become their colleagues on the units. We salute your courage and dedication and look forward to working with you in the coming months as members of what we now call the COVID army.
Some students, who were visible on the live teleconference, recognized the occasion by wearing their cap and gown, or toasting their fellow graduates with a glass of champagne. Many were joined on the call by loved ones, seated next to partners or with families standing behind them.
Recognizing the difficult decision the students made to join the front lines of the fight against COVID-19, Linda R. Tewksbury, MD, associate dean for student affairs, applauded their bravery. You are courageous, you are compassionate, you are filled with knowledge, you are skillful. You are our future, you are our heroes, and we could not be more proud.
The ceremony also included a moving video tribute, featuring congratulations and words of encouragement from faculty and mentors, saluting these members of the historic class of 2020.
VIDEO: Faculty and mentors congratulate students of the class of 2020 at NYU Grossman School of Medicine on their accomplishments.
Though muted, students silently applauded their fellow graduates as Dr. Tewksbury read each name. Robert I. Grossman, MD, chief executive officer of 細細篇撞 Health and dean of NYU Grossman School of Medicine, then led the newly minted MDs in an unmuted recitation of the Hippocratic oath.
The small group of 52 is the first class to graduate from the newly renamed NYU Robert I. Grossman School of Medicine; Kenneth G. Langone, chair of the board of trustees of 細細篇撞 Health, announced the new name in honor of the current dean of the school in November. He also addressed the graduates during the ceremony: The thing that makes someone a great doctor that we cant teach is compassion. Each of you are showing by your willingness to jump in the trenches and fight this battle with us that you have compassion and understand why you are a doctor and wanted to become a doctor. I can assure you this is a graduation Ill never forget.
Dr. Grossman gave the new doctors a special thanks. This institution is so full of pride that we produced an amazing class of physicians, he said. You answered a clarion call from those in need when the world was crying out for doctors. Your careers will be special. You will make us proud. Stay safe, be well, and congratulations from all of us.
