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2023 HMS-HSDM Class Day

Harvard Medical School・74 minutes read

The Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Dental Medicine Class Day for the Class of 2023 acknowledges achievements, gratitude towards mentors, and the importance of community and friendships. Speakers encourage maintaining empathy, sharing personal stories, and embracing responsibilities as doctors, emphasizing the value of humility, continuous learning, and patient care.

Insights

  • The event celebrates the Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Dental Medicine Class of 2023, acknowledging the traditional land and history of enslaved labor at Harvard University.
  • The graduates are commended for their achievements in COVID-19 response, health equity work, and climate change initiatives, emphasizing the importance of community and mentorship.
  • Speakers stress the significance of empathy, storytelling, and humility in patient care, encouraging graduates to prioritize kindness, humor, and continuous learning in their medical and dental professions.
  • Dr. Sanjay Gupta's keynote address highlights the responsibilities of doctors, the evolving medical field, and the need for adaptation, while emphasizing the importance of celebrating small victories and maintaining lifelong friendships.

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Recent questions

  • What is the purpose of the Harvard Medical School Class Day event?

    To celebrate the Class of 2023's achievements.

  • Who are the moderators of the Class Day exercises at Harvard Medical School?

    Students Ahmed Ahmed and Nicky Joseph.

  • What advice is offered to the graduates by Dr. Karchmer at the Harvard Medical School event?

    Advice on transitioning into teaching roles.

  • What reflections are shared by Rubee Sandhu at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine event?

    Reflections on the importance of community and support.

  • What is the keynote speaker Dr. Sanjay Gupta's message to the graduating class?

    Embrace roles as doctors with humility and dedication.

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Summary

00:00

Harvard Class Day Celebrates Class of 2023

  • The event is the Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Dental Medicine Class Day for the Class of 2023.
  • The event is hosted by Ed Hundert, Dean for Medical Education, welcoming graduates, family, friends, faculty, and staff.
  • The event acknowledges Harvard University's location on Massachusett people's traditional land and its history with enslaved labor.
  • The Class Day exercises are moderated by students Ahmed Ahmed and Nicky Joseph.
  • Ahmed and Nicky humorously address the audience, highlighting the full attendance due to free food.
  • The graduates will receive their degrees in Latin, continuing a tradition from over a century ago.
  • The event expresses gratitude to parents, mentors, friends, patients, and the pass/fail curriculum.
  • The Class of 2023 has shown remarkable achievements, such as COVID-19 response, health equity work, and climate change initiatives.
  • The event transitions to the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, with student speaker Paulina Miller reflecting on the journey to becoming dentists.
  • Dr. Karchmer, Chair for Alumni Relations, congratulates the graduates, welcomes them to the Alumni Associations, and offers advice on transitioning into teaching roles.

24:14

"Building Community in Dental School Success"

  • Rubee Sandhu has been actively involved in volunteer and mentorship efforts within the Dental School community for the past four years.
  • She credits her parents for instilling in her the values of perseverance and determination.
  • Rubee will soon begin her career as a general dentist in private practice.
  • She emphasizes the importance of community and friendships developed during her time at Harvard School of Dental Medicine.
  • The dental school community has been supportive and unique, fostering strong bonds among students.
  • Rubee highlights the significance of cultivating a supportive community for happiness and success.
  • Forming strong professional networks during dental school will be beneficial for future careers.
  • The dental and medical fields rely on teamwork, and the relationships built during school will be valuable.
  • Despite initial divisions among dental students, efforts were made to connect and build a strong community.
  • Rubee expresses gratitude for the community's support and looks forward to future reunions, emphasizing the strength of unity and support.

39:02

The Power of Empathy in Medicine

  • Understanding and empathizing with patients' pain and joy is powerful.
  • Allowing patients to share their stories can promote healing even when medicine can't offer cures.
  • Acknowledging one's own experiences and emotions can enhance self-confidence and autonomy.
  • The speaker shares their journey of accepting their past experiences and the importance of authenticity.
  • Encouragement to share personal stories to empathize, respond, and connect with others.
  • Reflecting on the significance of storytelling in various aspects of professional and personal life.
  • Introduction of the next speaker, Leen Al Kassab, highlighting her background and achievements.
  • Leen Al Kassab shares reflections on identity, empowerment, and the responsibility of being a physician.
  • Emphasizing the power and privilege of being a physician and the impact of interactions on patients.
  • Encouragement to maintain empathy, compassion, and advocacy as physicians and ambassadors of the profession.

54:42

"Embracing Dedication: Preparing for Doctor Responsibilities"

  • The speaker commends the predoctoral program at HSDM and praises the class for their dedication to making a difference in patient care and the profession.
  • The class of 35 students actively participated in diversity and inclusion programs, community outreach, and mentoring college students interested in dental school.
  • They were involved in creating oral health materials in multiple languages for underserved communities and engaged in basic translational and clinical research initiatives.
  • The speaker emphasizes the importance of humility and continuous learning in the medical and dental profession.
  • Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the keynote speaker, is introduced as a respected medical correspondent and neurosurgeon who has shown dedication to helping others in challenging situations.
  • The speaker encourages the graduating class to embrace their new role as doctors and to be prepared for the responsibilities that come with the title.
  • Dr. Gupta humorously discusses the misconceptions and expectations that come with being a doctor, including being the go-to medical advisor for friends and family.
  • He highlights the importance of doctors in society, referring to them as the "Guardians of the Galaxy" and emphasizing the crucial role they play in healthcare.
  • Dr. Gupta reflects on the changes in the medical field over the past 30 years and stresses the need for doctors to adapt to new challenges and advancements in medicine.
  • The speaker concludes by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to address the graduating class and encourages them to embrace their roles as doctors with humility and dedication.

01:14:34

"Healthcare challenges and compassion in medicine"

  • Despite advancements in medical treatments, access to therapies remains limited for some individuals.
  • Healthcare costs are rising, yet life expectancy is decreasing.
  • Graduates are urged to make a positive impact and address societal challenges.
  • Compassion and humility are emphasized in patient care.
  • The importance of maintaining the sacred bond between healthcare providers and patients is highlighted.
  • Continuous improvement and innovation in medicine are encouraged.
  • Prioritizing kindness and humor in interactions with patients is advised.
  • The significance of celebrating small victories is underscored.
  • Overcoming fear and embracing challenges are encouraged for personal growth.
  • The power of storytelling in medicine and learning from patient experiences is emphasized.

01:27:21

"Graduates urged to prioritize friendships and support"

  • The man, post-brain surgery, was found reading his smartphone, indicating a positive recovery.
  • He humorously mentioned his focus on West African elections right after surgery.
  • The patient's response to the doctor's inquiry about mortality was light-hearted, emphasizing avoiding risky activities.
  • The speaker advised graduates to balance data with stories for better judgment.
  • The speaker highlighted the value of lifelong friendships, urging graduates to prioritize and nurture them.
  • Graduates were encouraged to attend significant life events of friends and be supportive in times of need.
  • Dean George Daley commended Dr. Gupta's speech and acknowledged Dr. Dean Edward Hundert's service.
  • Dean Daley emphasized focusing on individual patient care to make a tangible impact in medicine.
  • Examples of renowned doctors, Paul Farmer and Jim O'Connell, were shared to inspire graduates to relieve suffering one patient at a time.
  • The importance of basic science research in patient care was illustrated through the example of Stu Orkin's work on sickle cell anemia.

01:44:29

Medical School Graduation Ceremony Order

  • The event is organized in alphabetical order, starting with the Cannon Society.
  • Dr. Sara Fazio is the Advisory Dean of the Cannon Society.
  • The graduates of the Cannon Class of 2023 are introduced individually.
  • Various doctors are hooding the graduates of the Cannon Society.
  • The Castle Society follows the Cannon Society, with Dr. Jenny Potter as the Advisory Dean.
  • The graduates of the William Bosworth Castle Society Class of 2023 are presented.
  • Doctors Natasha Johnson and Alden Landry are hooding the graduates of the Castle Society.
  • The Hinton Society is next, with Dr. Anthony D'Amico as the Advisory Dean.
  • The graduates of the William Augustus Hinton Society Class of 2023 are announced.
  • Dr. Anita Vanka and Dr. Nhi-ha Trinh are hooding the graduates of the Hinton Society.

02:13:02

Harvard Graduates Celebrate Academic Achievements

  • Graduating cum laude: Aitan, Dr. Brian Joseph Pepe-Mooney, Dr. Archana Podury, Julia Schiantarelli, Ivy Shi, Zhuo Shi, Dr. Akanksha Tarun, Dr. Alice Wang, Dr. Jason Ku Wang, Dr. Angela Zhang, Dr. Yichen Zhang, Dr. Carly Gail Kean Ziegler, Dr. Hayley Jessica Zullow
  • Obtaining a Master's of Business Administration and graduating cum laude: Ivy Shi
  • Obtaining a Doctorate in Philosophy from Harvard University: Dr. Angela Zhang, Dr. Yichen Zhang, Dr. Carly Gail Kean Ziegler, Dr. Hayley Jessica Zullow
  • Acknowledgment of Associate Society Directors: Dr. Rick Mitchell and Dr. Daniel Solomon
  • Peabody Society graduates: Dr. Arjan Abar, Dr. Sarah Ahmed, Dr. Maria Sophia Asdourian, Dr. Stephen James Babcock, Dr. Adam Lawrence Beckman, Dr. Evan Ross Beiter, Dr. Dylan James Cahill, Dr. Amanda Cao, Dr. Noelle J. Castilla-Ojo, Dr. Hae Lin Cho, Dr. John Ernandez, Dr. Mohammed A. Gabir, Dr. Navid Reza Ghaffari, Dr. Yanet De La Caridad Gomez, Dr. Daniel James Ikeda, Dr. Carolina Jaramillo, Dr. SangMin Kim, Dr. Richard Jingsong Lu, Dr. Margot Elizabeth Manning, Dr. Leila Ashley Mashouf, Dr. John Conrad Messinger, Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Mousavian, Dr. Maaz Mulla, Dr. Baily Callan Nagle, Dr. Jaya Prakash, Dr. Mengting Qiu, Dr. Katherine Ayres Rowe, Dr. Alexis Jordan Smith, Dr. Grant Loftness Steele, Dr. Rachel Elizabeth Stoddard
  • Acknowledgment of event organizers: Cheryl O'Brien, Carrie Sylven, Student Affairs Office, Facilities people
  • Introduction of Dean for Medical Education at Harvard Medical School: Dr. Edward Hundert
  • Dean Hundert's background and transition to a new role
  • Recitation of the Oath by the Class of 2023
  • Congratulations and well wishes to the graduates
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