(Music Playing) (Music Playing) Graduates and commencement party.

Please be seated.

National anthem.

Today marks the culmination of medica education for the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

Class of 2025.

Congratulations to the graduate who have reached this milestone.

Today we gather to celebrate your accomplishments, dedication, and commitment.

As you enter the profession of medicine, as you come to the end of thi segment of your career journey, I urge you to reflect upon your experiences while looking forward to your new horizons and aspirations as physicians.

Thank you to the families, friends, mentors, faculty, and alumni who have joine with us today to celebrate this.

The College of Human Medicine educate students in eight communities across the state.

Our goal is to prepare physicians to serve all the people of our state and beyond.

My name is Doctor Wanda Lipscomb.

I serve as the associate dean for Student Affairs, and I would like to introduce the platform guests recognize college leadership and our commencement party.

I will ask that you stand when your name is called and remain standing and save your applause to them.

Starting in my far left and your right.

Doctor Elizabeth Lyons associate director, Leadership and Rural Medicine Program and director of Pathway Programs.

Doctor Laura Carravallah, director, medical partners and public health program.

Doctor Gurbaksh Esch, director of the Leadership in Medicine for Underserved program.

Doctor Heather Laird-Fick, assistant dean for accreditation and program evaluation and as the director o the Office of Medical Education.

Docto Kelly Armstrong, assistant dean for student career and professional development.

Doctor Karen Stanley,-Kime, assistant dean for student wellness and engagement.

Doctor Lisa Lowrey, assistant dean for diversity and cultural initiatives.

Doctor Bradley Riley, assistan dean for clinical experiences.

Doctor Robin DeMuth, associate dean for undergraduate medical education.

Doctor Andrea Wendling, senior associate dean for academic affairs.

And Doctor Richard Leach, chai of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Now to my right.

And your left, Doctor Timothy Bierema.

CHM Alumnus.

Doctor.

Herminia Bierema.

Member of the CHM Alumni Board.

Doctor Dennis Yamamoto, the CHM Alumni board chair.

Doctor Michael Zerafa, CHM alumnus who will conduct the military ceremony.

Doctor Amber Heard-Boot assistant Dean for admissions.

Doctor Carol Parker, associate dean for administration.

Doctor Narayanan Parameswara, senior associate dean for research.

Doctor Mona Hanna, associate dean for public health.

Doctor Sean Valles director of the cente for Ethics and Social Justice.

Doctor Charles Hong, chai of the Department of Medicine.

Doctor Julie Phillips, chair of the Department of Family Medicine.

Doctor Michael Brown University physician and chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine.

Our guest speaker Miss Elizabeth Hertel, a proud MSU alumnus, the Honorable Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Michigan State University Board of Trustees, and doctor Aron Sousa, Dean.

Now, may we applaud them.

Thank you.

You may be seated.

So we have a tremendous team of faculty and administrators who shape the program for ou students in the medical school.

I'd like to invite the community assistant deans from the communities to please stand, as well as the student program administrators.

They're seated on the floor.

So if you guys would please stand.

And then joining us on the platform are other members of the faculty and alumni of the college.

I would like to invite us all to stand to recognize our country with the playin of the natural national anthem.

(Music Playing National Anthem) It is no my pleasure to introduce Doctor Aron Sousa, Dean of the College of Human Medicine.

Doctor Sousa was appointed as the seventh dean of the College of Human Medicine in April 2022.

He previously served as interim dean for the medical school, as well as hel the position of senior associate dean for academic affairs for well over 12 years.

Doctor Sousa Return received his medical degree from Indiana University.

He is a general internist.

That means he treats sick adults, which means, as most of us in here, he is a resolute medical educator, a community leader, a supporter of medical students that de Sousa has led several change initiatives during his time i administration in the college, including the doublin of our class size, the expansion of first and second year medical education to Grand Rapids, the creation of the MPH program and public health programs in Flint, to name a few.

Join me in welcoming Dean Sousa.

Thank you, Doctor Lipscomb.

Good afternoon, and welcome to the 2025 Colleg of Human Medicine commencement celebrating the graduation of the class of 2025.

It is my pleasure and honor to represent the faculty and staff in congratulatin all of the graduates and welcome their family and friends, who are here with us today.

There is no better occasion at a university than a graduation, regardless of what may be going on in the larger world.

It is good to be here.

Today we bring togethe our graduates, along with their families and friends, to honor you and your accomplishments.

It is important that we shar our joy and your accomplishments with your entire family and friends.

Some of your younge or not so young family members might get a little antsy as we go alon and need a bit of a walkabout.

That is a part of life, and please feel free to take them up to the concourses.

Michigan State University has a formal land acknowledgment, which I want to include now in my opening remarks.

We acknowledg that Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg - The Three Fires Confederacy of the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples.

In particular the university resides on land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.

We recognize, support and advocate for the sovereignty of Michigan's 12 federally recognized Indian nations for historic indigenous communities in Michigan and for indigenous individuals and communities who live here now, and for those who were forcibly removed from their homelands.

By offering this land, acknowledgment, we affirm indigenous sovereignty and will work to hold Michigan State University more accountable to the needs of American Indian and Indigenous people.

As we begin our celebration of your accomplishments.

Let us pause for a moment of silence to consider how we can liv our lives in a way that honors all Spartans, including those who are no longer with us.

Thank you.

As everybody in this building now knows, medical school and becoming a physician is a huge amount of work, including studyin or rounding and clinical duties of 60 to 80 hours a week for months on end.

This can be draining, tiring, exhilarating, occasionally terrifying and hopefully at least as often joyous as the graduates here in fron of me have faced those terrors.

And hopefully they have seen some of the joy that comes from being someone's doctor.

It is a great honor to be someone's physician.

The most important decision the college makes in creating good physicians is in admissions.

We work hard to make sure we select people who are entering medicine for the right reasons, and who will bring valuabl life lessons to their patients, and who are committed to the wholesome and scientific practice of medicine.

We really hope als that we haven't screwed you up.

We want the students we admitted to be the doctors that we graduate, but well-trained in the technical skills and knowledge in medicine.

I seek in my newest colleagues the personal and professional attributes that sustain my profession.

Colleagues who will take care of my patients when I am not available, who will treat me and my family when I need them.

And I am confident you are still those people and improved by your education and only the very best of ways.

Occasionally get to speak with our graduates after they have gone of to residency, and I am confident you will find yourself well trained, well prepare with the technical, intellectual and emotional skills to deal with the rigors of residency.

And for all of you, residency is in fact harder than medical school.

But I think most of the physicians here would agree with me that your first year of residency, you will learn more about how to care for patients and more about medicine than you will learn i any other year of your career.

And for the class of 2025, I want you to know I am confiden you are ready to take this on.

But there will be some point next year.

If you are like the rest of us, when you will wonder why you signed up for this.

Pay attention to the certain biology of being a resident.

You have to eat and sleep.

You have to find some jo in what you are doing each day.

Remember that you need the support of colleagues, the other members of the team, your residency faculty, your family, your friends.

If you pay attentio to what you need as an organism, you can look the most difficult situation in the eye and come up with a plan and make the world of your patien and their family a better place.

Congratulations to the College of Human Medicine, class of 2025.

It is my pleasure to introduce the Honorable Rebecca Bahar-Cook, member of the Michigan State University Board of Trustees.

Rebecca Bahar-Cook was elected to the Michigan State University Board of Trustees for an eight year ter beginning in January 1st, 2025.

She served 11 years as an Ingham County Commissioner, representing parts of the City of Lansing from 2006 to 2016.

As CEO of Capital Fundraising Associates, she consults with a wide range of nonprofit organizations and initiatives to help them strategize, develop, and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies.

Bahar-Cook graduate with a multidisciplinary degree from Michigan State University's College of Social Science in 1992, and we are honored to have her offer her greetings to you on this auspicious occasion.

Graduates, fam families, faculty and honored guests on behalf of the Michigan State University Board of Trustees, it is my great pleasure and distinct honor to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the graduating class of 2025.

Today's ceremony represents the culmination of discipline, dedication, resilience, intellectual work, and creative imagination.

Certainly no small accomplishment for many of you and your families here today.

The sacrifices have been long and great.

The degree you have earned acknowledges your success and honors those who encouraged it.

As trustees, we have the privilege of supporting this institution's mission and witnessing its impac through each graduating class.

You, the graduates, are proof of our shared commitment to excellence and service.

You have completed your training in a community based medical education program with eight educational campuses across Michigan.

You have been prepared to serve all the people.

You will begin your work as physicians in hospitals across the state and the nation to address the many health care needs of those communities.

We commend your perseverance, especially in balancing your academic endeavors, research, and service to communities.

You leave our university as an powered individuals.

Critical thinkers, compassionate providers, and bold leaders ready to shape the future of health care with integrity and purpose.

To the faculty families, faculty, and mentors who have guided and supported these medical students along the way.

Thank you.

Your steadfast encouragement has helped make this moment possible.

Graduates, our wish for you is that you will always be leaders who generously use your intelligence and your knowledg to improve the quality of life for your community, to advance the common good, and to renew hope in the human spirit.

MSU's faculty, administrators, and trustees are all very, very proud of you.

Please accept our warmest congratulations and best wishes.

It is now my distinct pleasure to introduce our speaker, Elizabeth Hertel.

You serve as director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

As a seasoned public health leader.

You have extensive experience in policy development, program administration, and community engagement, overseeing nearly 16,000 employees across Michigan.

You are deeply committe to keeping kids safe from abuse and neglect and increasing access to behavioral health care.

Driving significant innovation and transformation across both systems.

Your career in public service spans two decades.

Joining the Michigan Department of Community Health in 2013 as a senior assistant for policy and Planning prior to its merger with the Department of Human Services, formed HHS in 2015.

Prior to government roles, you were director of Michigan Advocacy for Trinity Health and held various other policy roles in the private sector and legislature.

You hold a bachelor's degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University, and importantly, a master's in public administration degre from Michigan State University.

Director Hertel.

Wow.

Wow.

I'd like to thank Doctor Sousa and Doctor Hanna for inviting me to speak to you today.

Although I was excited to accept the invitation, I didn't realize how intimidated I would be by all of you.

But I am happy to hav an opportunity to wear my cap, gown, and hood again.

So thank you for that.

Congratulations!

I am so honored to be here today to share this incredibl accomplishment with all of you.

I hope that you all recognize what an important and admirable step this is.

As you reflect back on the time spent working toward this degree.

Take a moment to acknowledge the discipline that you demonstrated.

The strength you have, and how much you have grown during this time.

At some point in the last few years, no doubt, and perhaps multiple times, you probably thought to yourself that you could not do this.

That you made the wrong decision being here, that you were in over your head.

What was I thinking?

Going to medical school?

I can't do this.

And yet, here you are.

We all have those moments.

So many of those moments in life where we think, wait, what am I doing?

Can I do this?

I don't think I can do this.

And then we put our heads down.

We go through the steps, we do the hard work and we do it.

A class, a test, a job, conversation.

So don't minimize the work that got you here.

Take time today to celebrate how much you have grown and learned over the past few years, and know that the time that you spent has changed who you are and given you thing that nobody can take from you.

As you move int the next part of your training.

You may have noticed that health care seems to be in a rather uncertain stage.

Feels like everyone has an opinion on some aspect of health care delivery, payment, and many of the norm that have existed for so long.

Don't let this uncertainty deter you.

Don't allow this uncertainty t discourage you or paralyze you.

Keep moving forward through this uncertainty.

You have already proven to yourself how much you can accomplish.

Uncertainty is not a thing to be feared.

I want to repeat tha uncertainty is not a thing to be feared.

It exists in every part of our lives.

Our ability to exist with uncertainty, to withstand the feeling of discomfort, to move forward, knowing that no matter what.

That uncertainty and discomfort bring that you will be able to handle it.

I believe this is one of the hallmarks of stability.

And as you move through this time of uncertainty, and almost certainly future time of uncertainty and discomfort, rely on the things that you know to be true.

The things about yourself that you know to be true and the abilities that you have.

Because in this profession that you are entering, the people that you will be seeing and helping, will the majority of the time be coming to you because of the questions and the uncertainty that they have?

They will be looking to you to provide answers, to provide support, to provide a pathway going forward, to find a solution to their uncertainty.

The only thing that you can rely on to do that for the people you serve will be the facts as you know them, and the honesty with which you can work with people.

Becoming a doctor is one of the greatest contributions you could make for your community.

Committing to helping people every day, and many people who will be experiencing some of the most difficult times of their lives, is incredibly noble.

That commitment to people and to your community demands nothing less than the bes that you have to give every day.

That sounds daunting, doesn't it?

The best that you can give every day.

But don't let that intimidate you in this profession.

You certainly will be asked to step into leadership roles some formal, some informal.

By the nature of the title that you will hold.

You will be viewed as a leader.

And what does that mean to be a leader?

If you look it up, you will find many interpretations of what it means, and you will all develop your own definitions of what leadership means, and you will.

If you are a good leader, continue to ask yourself how to be a good leader, how to improve as a leader.

What is a good leader?

As a leader?

You will be put in situations all the time where people will expect you to spea and to give answers naturally.

But let me tell you what I think the best gif that you can give to anyone is.

The best gift that you can give to anyone is to make them feel seen and make them feel heard.

Don't let the position of a leader make you forget that you can and should continue to learn for the rest of your life, and the only way to learn is to listen.

Listening to your patients.

Listening to your team.

Listening to your friends and your family.

This is a gift to them and an asset for you, because you can learn something from every single person you come across.

Every person has experienced life in their own unique way, in a way that is different tha how you have experienced life.

That experience has shaped all of us.

What we like, what we don't like, what we believe, how we live, how we think.

By listening and learning we can work to better understand the people that we are leading so we can understand how to best lead them.

I view my role as a leader, as helping the people on my team to do and be the best that they can, to give the the structure and the resources that they need to thrive and to succeed.

In order to understand what those are, I have to understand who they are.

And to do that, I have to listen.

In fact, one of th best pieces of advice I ever got very early in my caree was to shut my mouth and listen.

You won't believe how much you'll learn if you just shut your mouth and listen.

That's what I was told.

I remind myself of that to this day.

I must be able to recognize when I need to step back.

When I am the problem.

If you want to continue to grow and to learn and improve, you can not only focus o the things that you are good at.

You look at those areas that need improvement.

I guarantee this if you take the time to make sure that the people around you feel seen and feel heard.

You will be able to create strong teams to build trust with your patients and your colleagues, and learn so much as you move through your careers and your lives.

The last thing I want to leave you with is this.

How do I show up every day?

Remember earlier I said you had to bring your best every day?

I want you to notice what I did not say.

I did not say that.

You need to be perfect every day.

I did not say you need to be excellent every day.

I said you need to bring your best.

And some days your best might be just making it through the day.

Because you will have to contend with life.

And life can be hard.

What is important is that you are honest with people every day.

If today isn't your best day, your best self?

It's okay to tell people that it's okay to be absolutely authentic every single day and share with the people around you some vulnerability.

We all hav days that aren't the best day.

The ability to show grace to others, and the ability to ask for grace from others is perhaps one of the most admirabl aspects of a person's demeanor.

Bring your whole self into whatever you do.

Don't be afraid or ashamed of who that is.

Define for yourself what is cool.

What is fulfilling?

There are billions of people in this world, and the majority of them do not care.

If you like Taylor Swift or Dungeons and Dragons.

If you play video games, you read books, you watch TV, you run.

They don't care.

Don't let the fear of others judgment keep you from doing the things that you love and living a life that you love.

You have earned a incredible accomplishment today, and I am agai so honored, so grateful that I get to share this day with you.

I wish you the best.

I know that even when faced with the worst, you will be successful because you are Spartans.

Go green!

Go White!

Thank you.

Director.

Hotel.

That was wonderful.

It is my pleasure to introduce our senior associate dean for Academic affairs, Doctor Andrea Wendling.

The star.

The students will also know Doctor Wendling from her work as our directo of Rural medicine, the country's premier rural health education program.

Doctor Wendling is a well published scholar and leader in rural health, physicia workforce and family medicine, and she will be presenting the Faculty Awards.

The faculty members of the college provide an exceptional education in a supportive learning environment.

Today, it is my pleasur to introduce the faculty award winners selected by th graduates of the class of 2025.

They include individuals from all aspects of the curriculum and from all communities.

We are delighted to formally recognize the Faculty Award winners who are joining us today.

The first set of awards are for faculty who primarily interacted with students during the first and second years of medical school.

Our first awardee is Doctor Molly Frendo Lundgren.

Doctor Frendo Lundgren is the medical education learning specialist in academic achievement and students, commented Doctor Fred Lindgren is one of the most considerate and compassionate faculty I have had the privilege of working with.

She is deeply committe to the success of her students.

I cannot thank Doctor Frendo enough for her impact on my educatio and her commitment to helping me succeed.

Next is Doctor Uchebike Nwankgo.

Doctor Nwankg is one of the best instructors I've had in Stem.

An exceptional leader who consistently advocated for student took the time to learn our names and made a lasting impact on me and my peers.

Doctor Anthony Paganini from the Department of Physiology.

Doctor Paganini is one of the most patient, kind, and knowledgeable professors I've had the privilege to learn from.

I aspire to emulate his teaching, and if I can become even half the educator he is, I would consider that a great achievement.

Doctor Maureen Schaefer from the Department of Human Anatomy.

Doctor Schaefer is an incredible professor, knowledgeable, kind, and patient.

Her passion for anatomy made every class engaging and enjoyable.

The next set of awards recognizes the faculty honoree from the third and fourth years across the eight communitie who are able to join us today.

We are grateful for their dedicatio and impact on student education throughout these critical phases of training.

First is Doctor Jusith Ampar from the Department of Surgery.

Doctor Amparo consistently exceeds expectations, taking personal responsibility for each student's growth by nurturin both clinical skills and a deep appreciation for patient care across all settings.

Her dedication from weekend exa prep to modeling compassionate professionalism makes her an unforgettable mentor who leaves a lasting impact on everyone she works with.

Students, patients, and staff alike.

A true role model.

Next is Doctor Ana Maria Capatina-Rat from the Department of Medicine.

Doctor Capatina is an outstanding clerkship director who is genuinely invested in each student's success.

Always approachable, supportive, and committed to creating valuable learning experiences for everyone, regardless of specialty, interest.

Her welcoming attitude, thoughtful teaching methods like student presentations and encouragement of individual passions makes her a role model for all clerkship directors.

Next is Doctor James Clarkso from the Department of Surgery.

Doctor Clarkson has devoted considerable time and energy to educating medical students as the clerkship director of the surgery two course.

He has consistentl encouraged us to remain curious about the basic sciences and to identify and address gaps in our knowledge.

What he often referred to as searching for the unknown unknowns.

Doctor Sara Elsayed, from the Department of Family Medicine.

Doctor Elsayed was professional, supportive and committed to student growth.

She clearly communicated expectations.

She offered helpful suggestions and she provided constructive feedback to enhance our learning.

Thank you for being such a great attending.

We learned so much from her.

Next is Doctor Basim Towfiq from the Department of Medicine.

Doctor Towfiq is easily one of the most inspiring and impactful physicians I have ever ha the privilege of learning from.

He is incredibly professional.

Deeply invested in our growth not just in medical knowledge, but also in life, in personal development.

And I do need to take one moment to acknowledge that this is Doctor Towfiqs 10th time of being awarded a faculty award from the Flint campus.

Yes, it is the 10th time from you students and the secret always love the student.

Next is Doctor Carla Witzke from the Department of Medicine.

Doctor Witzke has been critical in my success in applying to the field of urology.

She always went out of her way to offer me insight and opportunities to connect with others in the field of urology, whic is critical in this specialty.

She works incredibly hard in her practice, and her willingness to spen additional time mentoring others demonstrates her outstanding character.

Next, we have the introduction of the dual degree graduates at the College of Human Medicine.

Some students complete more than one degree.

This extends their time of study and expands their expertise and their experience.

Dual degree students have a special dedication and persistenc that often carries their careers into advanced areas of science, business, health, and leadership.

I would like the following dual degree students to stand and be recognized.

Dylan Dews, PhD.

Dyla received a Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biology, which was conferred in 2023.

Nathan Kaufman, PhD.

Nathan received a Doctor of Philosophy in Comparative Medicine in Integrative Biology, conferred in 2023.

And Lilly Anderson, Savaria, Ph.D.. Lill received a Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology, conferred in 2023.

And now we come to the most significant portion of our commencement.

The hooding of the graduates.

This ceremony will follow the order of the program, beginning with the graduates from the Detroit community.

You can follow along in the program beginning on page seven.

I ask that the 2025 Detroit graduates, guest holders and the participants in the hooding ceremony to please move to your stations, following the directions from the commencement marshals.

The 2025 graduates will be hooded in alphabetical order by community campus.

As noted in the program, the student program administrators will introduce each graduate.

The graduates will be hooded by the associate Dean for Student Affairs.

The associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education their community assistant deans and faculty, alumni and guest hoods.

The graduates who have completed special certificate programs will receive certificate from the respective certificate program directors.

The graduates will receive commemorative scrolls from Dean Sousa before they exit the hooding platform.

On my right.

There's a roped in area on the far right of the arena where families may gather to take pictures.

After the graduates have completed the hooding and before they return to their seats, we ask their family and friends remain in that roped off area and not enter the ceremonial area of the arena floor.

There are ushers and staff to guide you.

This commencement ceremony today has many features specific to the College of Human Medicine, but the basic structure of Professional, Processional hooding, confirmation of degree, taking of an oath, and recessional date to mid-15th century Oxford.

In the original ceremonies, the herbs hoods in robes were those of newly minted priests, but they were like ours.

Institutional markers of completion and approval from the first of these ceremonies.

Faculty of recognized not only the achievement of their students, but of also celebrate the placement of their graduates back in society with special purpose and responsibility.

Intrinsic to the medical degree.

And here on land, the people of the State of Michigan traded for the intellectual and economic progress of her citizens.

The faculty asks you, the graduates, to take your place beside them.

So we now begin th signal event of our graduation.

The hooding of the graduates of the College of Human Medicine.

Good afternoon.

My name is Stasi Mortimore, and I am the student programs administrator for the MSU College of Human Medicine, Detroit campus.

It is my great pleasur to present to you, the graduates from the class of 2025 from our campus.

Assisting with the hooding is community assistant Dean Doctor Nakia Allen and associate dean for undergraduate medical education.

Doctor Robin DeMuth.

(Conferral of Degrees, Graduate Names and Hooding) This concludes the presentation of the graduates from the MSU College of Human Medicine, Detroit campus.

I now welcome to the stage, the community assistant dean for Flint, Doctor Jennifer Edwards-Johnson.

And student programs administrator Robbin Austin for the presentation of the graduates.

Thank you.

Good afternoon everyone.

My name is Robbin Austin, and I am the student programs administrator for the Flint campus.

It is my distinct pleasure to present to you the Flint campus graduates for the class of 2025.

Assisting with the hooding is Flint Campus community assistant Dea Doctor Jennifer Edwards-Johnson and associate dean for studen affairs doctor Wanda Lipscomb.

(Conferral of Degrees, Graduate Names and Hooding) That concludes the presentation of graduates from the Flint campus.

I now welcome to the stage, the community assistant dean for the Grand Rapids campus, doctor Matt Emery, former community assistant Dean Doctor Angela Thompson-Bush.

And student progra administrators Corey Copperski and Holly Nice for the presentation of the Grand Rapids campus graduates.

Thank you.

Good afternoon.

It is my pleasure to present to you for hooding the 202 Grand Rapids campus graduates.

Doctor Matt Emery, community assistant Dean.

Doctor Angela Thompson-Bush, former Grand Rapids community assistant dean, will assist with the hooding (Conferral of Degrees, Graduate Names and Hooding) Community Assistant Dean Doctor Jamila Power and student programs administrator of the Lansing campus.

Lauren Zoumbaris will now present the Lansing campus students for hooding.

Good afternoon.

My name is Lauren Zoumbaris, student programs administrator.

Assisting with hooding is community assistant dean, Doctor Jamila Power.

It is my pleasure to present the 2025 graduates from the Lansing campus for hooding.

(Conferral of Degrees, Graduate Names and Hooding) That concludes the presentation of the Lansing campus.

Graduates.

Community Assistant Dean Doctor David Buzanoski and student program administrator Julie Coe will now present the Midland campus students for hooding.

Good afternoon.

It is our pleasure to present the 2025 graduating class from the Midland Regional Campus.

(Conferral of Degrees, Graduate Names and Hooding) We now welcome Community Assistant Dean Doctor Basil Abdo and student programs Administrator Julie Katz, who represen the Southeast Michigan campus.

Students for hooding.

It is an honor to be here with you today, to introduce the 2025 graduating class from the Southeast Michigan campus, doctor Ahmed Abu Zahra.

(Conferral of Degrees, Graduate Names and Hooding) Community assistant Dean, Doctor David Klee and student programs administrator Nicki Brown will now present the Traverse City Students for hooding.

It is an absolute honor to b here with you today to introduce the 2025 graduating clas from the Traverse City campus.

These students, in addition to their medical degree, are all recipient of a Certificate of recognition for their completion of the Leadership in Rural Medicin Rural Community Health Program.

(Conferral of Degrees, Graduate Names and Hooding) (Conferral of Degrees, Graduate Names and Hooding) Community Assistant Dean Doctor Stewart Johnson and student programs administrator.

Miss Susan Tincknel will now present the Upper Peninsula campus students for hooding.

Good afternoon.

I'm Susan Tincknell, student programs administrato for the Upper Peninsula campus.

It is my pleasur to present the Upper Peninsula Region Campus Rural Physicia Program graduates for hooding.

These students are all recipients of a certificate of Recognition for completing the Leadership in Rural Medicine Rural Physician Program.

(Conferral of Degrees, Graduate Names and Hooding) Thank you.

I just want to recognize Susan Tincknell, who is retiring after this after eight years of service.

Trustee Bahar-Cook will you please join me at the podium?

I now ask that the candidates for the Doctor of Medicine degree.

Please stand.

The faculty.

The faculty of the College of Human Medicine.

Certify that these applicants have completed the degree.

The requirements for the degree Doctor of Medicine.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, I confer upon each of yo the degree Doctor of Medicine.

Congratulations.

Your remain standing.

Your oath will be administered by Robin DeMuth, associate dean for undergraduate medical education.

So back at the start of this journey, we got to read togethe the matriculating students oath.

And today we get to read together the graduates oath.

I'll have you reference the last page, please, of your agenda.

Stay standing.

And read with me.

I do solemnly swear by that which I hold most sacred, that my ultimate responsibility is to the people I serve.

That it will be my privilege to maintain their health, treat their diseases, and help them realiz their fullest potential in life.

That I will recogniz my responsibility as the teacher of my patients, of students, and of the public.

That I will respect the rights and feelings, preserve the privacy and honor the dignity of my patients.

That I will strive to demonstrate honesty, goodwill, and integrity both in the execution of my duties and in my personal life.

That I will not hesitate to offer help to, or seek assistance from my fellow professionals to improve the services that we deliver.

That I will continue to improv my skills, expand my knowledge, and reexamine my needs as a rational emotional, and spiritual being that I will serve my community and address the needs of society, thereby bes serving the needs of my patients in the pursuit of these goals.

Let me be humble and thus grow.

Let me care and thus act courageously.

Let me be kindled and thus find competent.

I am ready to ente the profession of medicine, and I accept it as my calling.

Thank you.

Okay with this now, students, you have graduated.

So you get to move your tassel to the left side.

We are so proud of you.

I am so glad to count you amongst my alumni friends, colleagues.

It's wonderful day.

So thank you.

You may be seated.

It is my pleasure to introduce the president of the CCM Alumni board, Doctor Denny Yamamoto.

Doctor Yamamoto graduated from the college in 1978 and spent a rewarding career in internal medicine and gastroenterology in Reno, Nevada.

Among other awards, in 2020, he was awarded the Thomas J. Scully Preceptor Karam Care for Mrs. Beloved Teacher in Any case Award for Clinical Medicine teaching by the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.

Currently is a member of the foundatio that supports and FQHC in Reno, and he recently established a $1 million scholarship in support of medical students at the College.

Doctor Yamamoto.

Our guest speaker keynote speaker use the word intimidation.

I'm come in intimidate standing in front of you guys.

I'm Dennis Yamamoto, as introduced.

I'm a 197 graduate from the school, and, I cannot tell you how much I feel privileged to be in front of you.

Speaking for the alumni.

As a representative from the Michigan State College of Human Medicine.

I welcome all of you.

The 2025 graduating clas to the profession of medicine.

I want you guys all to stand.

Give yourself a hand.

I encourage the rest of the audience.

Give your.

Give your family members his hand.

You've entered a unique career that carries with indelible experiences.

You will experience the joy of seeing a new life come with the delivery of a baby.

Within a few minutes or hours you may experience the passing, the end of a life and all the heartbreak and sorrow that it brings.

Cultivate these experiences.

Mature with them.

Develop skills of empathy and compassion.

Use them to become an excellent physician.

Upon receiving your diploma today, you become one of us.

A graduate of MSU's College of Medicine.

You're stepping into the next phase of your education.

You'll be challenged with obtaining more in-depth knowledge.

With this knowledge, you'll be tasked to thin through your patients problems.

This thinking should be backed by well vetted medical science medical data.

Use this knowledge and data to educate your patients.

Help them understand the challenges before them, whether maintaining their health or dealing with a serious illness.

Assist them in navigating through this very complicated medical care system that we have.

Lack of your patient's sophistication should not determine the care that they deserve.

After graduating, you will slowly but steadily move from student to teacher.

As a teacher, you have accepte the idea of lifelong learning.

Lifelong teaching leads to lifelong learning.

Continue your lifelong learning and become a contributor to the ongoing medical education process.

I encourag all of you to continue teaching.

Become a mentor of the next group of medical students.

They are your future.

I'm doing this as part of self preservation.

I'm on the desk of my career.

You on the dawn of my career.

I'm expecting you all to help people like me.

Delivering Medicare is a gigantic job.

We all need to help when we can.

We can cultivate.

Learn how to ask for help.

Put the question you are asking in a manner when you need help that indicates you've thought through the problem, that you need clarification or the direction of a patient's ongoing care.

Mature and gro with their professional career.

Become a better communicator.

Become comfortable getting out of your comfort zone.

You have been give a great opportunity to pursue.

Pursue an incredible career.

You're going to be taking care of people.

One last thing.

Don't forget where you've come from.

The Michigan College of Human Medicine is to stay relevant.

The alumni office wants to stay relevant not only through continuing medical education, but supporting life challenges for you.

Moving ahead.

Let us know how we can help cultivate mentors as you journey through your career.

Keep in touch with the College of Human Medicine.

Congratulations to you all.

Good luck in your next chapter of being a great Spartan MD.

Go Green!

Near the end of each graduation, we witness the military promotion and oath of office of our students entering service to all of us through the U.S. military services.

It is my honor to welcome Major Zerafa, CHM class of 2012 to lead the ceremony.

Thank you.

Dean Sousa.

And congratulations to the CHM graduating class of 2025.

As a graduate myself and Army Reserve officer, it is a great honor to speak at today's ceremony.

Thank you for having me once again.

I'm here today to recognize our graduates who have the privilege of serving as physicians in the world's greatest military.

We now know where our military graduates have matched into their residencies, but we have no idea where their military careers will take them.

The veterans and military families in our audience can attes to this uncertainty firsthand.

But because of this, in the coming years, these three doctors will develop a readiness, adaptability, and fearless confidence that one can only get from military training and experience during this maturation process.

I want to quickly highlight an important value shift many veterans undergo.

Our military is always engage in some big picture operation, often defined by verbiage tha feels like rhetoric or politics.

But to our three graduates today, listen to this important advice.

The longer your military career, the more it becomes about the person next to you.

Maybe the medic that is assigned to you, your own squad or platoon or most importantly, the patient that you'll have an opportunity to treat in the future.

Our military may lead us into a war.

We hope and pray that our military leads our world into peace.

But certainly our graduate military officers will lead us by example that service and suppor to the human that's next to you.

Trump any big picture or higher goal.

Today, our Army graduate will be promoted from second lieutenant to captain and our Navy graduates, from ensign to lieutenan.

For the Army, this will be recognized by a change in branch insignia to a caduceus.

As we begin the ceremony, I will read the official order that promotes these officers.

Following that, our military physicians will have their new ranks pinned on their uniforms b special people in their lives.

Pinning is a great honor in our tradition.

I will then join our graduates while we together recite the commissioned officer's oath of office.

It is now my great honor to preside over this ceremony and welcome them into the unique community of military physicians.

Pinners.

Please join us on stage.

Attention to orders.

The president of the United States, acting upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of the Navy, has placed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, integrity, and abilities of Army first Lieutenant Jason Copp, Navy Ensign Madison Mangione, and Navy Ensign Gabriel Meriwether.

In view of these special qualities and their demonstrated potential to serve in the next higher grade, Army First Lieutenant Jason Copp is promoted to the grade of captain.

United States Army Navy Ensign.

Madison Mangione is promoted to the grade of lieutenant.

United States Navy.

Navy Ensign Gabriel Meriwether is promoted to the grade of lieutenant.

United States Navy, effective the 10th day of May 2025, by orders of the Secretary of the Arm and the Secretary of the Navy.

At ease.

Pinning is a great honor, and sometimes a more difficult task than you'd expect.

Good.

Thank you pinners you may leave the stage.

We will now recite the commissioned officer's oath of office.

Attention!

Raise your right hand and repeat after me.

I state your full name.

Having been appointed.

A captain in the United States Army.

A lieutenant in the United States Navy.

Do solemnly swear that I will support and defend.

The Constitution of the United States.

Against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

That I will bear true faith.

I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.

That I take this obligation freely.

Without any mental reservation or.

Or purpose of evasion.

And that I will well and faithfully.

Discharge the duties.

Of the office which I am about to enter.

So help me God.

At ease.

Thank you.

Military graduates.

Thank you.

Pinners.

And thank you to the veterans and families in our audience.

This conclude the military promotion ceremony.

Group attention.

Left face.

Forward march!

I want to take a moment to thank the families of our graduates.

As I said before, medical school and the profession of medicine involves a large amount of mental and emotional effort and a great deal of time.

So I want all I want to thank all of you who have lent us your sons and daughters, your husbands and wives, your significant others, your buddy, your BFF, your father, your mother.

Thank you for me.

And thank you from all of us.

This has been a wonderful afternoon, and thank you for being a part of the College of Human Medicine.

I ask that you remai in your seats until the faculty have completed their recessional.

Please join us in singin the first verse of MSU shadows on the inside back cover of your program.

MSU we love thy shadows When twilight silence falls Flushing deep and softly paling Oer ivy covered halls Beneath the pines well gather To give our faith so true Sing our love for Alma Mater And thy praises MSU.

(Music Playing)