Scenes from the 148th Commencement
Dr. Hildreth addresses Commencement attendees.
Graduates of the Class of 2023 sent into a world that needs their skill and heart
The auditorium of the Grand Ole Opry House was alive Saturday, May 20th as family and graduates celebrated the 148th Commencement of Meharry Medical College. The program booklet for the proceedings listed 291 names from the four schools of study at the College, with the new School of Applied Computational Sciences seeing its first three graduates walk the stage this year. Graduate Portia Thomas crossed the stage twice, first receiving her Ph.D. from the School of Graduate Studies and, after changing her regalia, receiving her M.D. from the School of Medicine.
Graduate Portia Thomas receives her Ph.D. Shortly afterward, she returned in School of Medicine regalia to receive her M.D. degree.
The first class of graduates from the School of Applied Computational Sciences.
Meharry President Dr. James Hildreth told the graduates that they would be lifelong learners of their disciplines. “As professionals in the field you are serving and saving others, you must always find ways to see new things and learn new things—find new cupboards in your mind to stuff new knowledge. You must, as the apostle Paul said, ‘study to show yourself approved,’ because your colleagues will take the measure of you every day as will your patients.”
Speaker Dr. David M. Carlisle addresses graduates.
A School of Dentistry graduate snaps a selfie while moving her tassel over after receiving her diploma.
Commencement speaker Dr. David Carlisle, president and CEO of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, California, said that the graduates today are part of a rich history of HBCUs in the pursuit of health equity and social justice, advocating for public policy that brings justice to all. “We don’t live in a perfect world, and sometimes the road to what’s right can be hard, winding and poorly lit. That’s when it’s important that you know that being a graduate of an HBCU also means that you are part of a tight-knit community of alumni who share your commitment to social justice and community service,” Dr. Carlisle said. “At those times, you are not alone in the dark but instead are joined by thousands upon thousands of lights who can illuminate the way to a better and brighter tomorrow.”
Dr. Carlisle said it is imperative that the graduates make access to affordable health care for all an important part of their ongoing professions. “You will have countless opportunities to make a meaningful impact in this area…[through] devotion and dedication to a greater good.”
Meharry Board Chair Nelson L. Adams III, M.D. ’78, told the graduates “It’s important that you never ever lose sight of the fact that there’s something divine in what put you in this place…there’s something God created for the people you touch, and if you can see that in your day-to-day activities, then it elevates how you interact with the people that you serve beyond the humanistic—and it will keep you humble.”
Dr. Hildreth told the graduates to “carry the understanding that when you strip away all of the trappings of who we are, what we have and what we do, what we are left with is the commonality of being human—that is the soul of health equity that we strive for everyday.”
The winners of the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation were also announced during the proceedings. The award, given to a class member and a faculty member were given to graduating senior JunKemar Small, Spanish Town, Jamaica and Dontal L. Johnson, M.D. ’14, assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics.
CLICK HERE to watch the 148th Commencement.
Backstage at the Opry…
Ask any veteran of Commencement ceremonies at Meharry Medical College and they will tell you that the celebration begins backstage at The Grand Ole Opry Auditorium before the ceremony, with seniors donning their regalia, celebrating with classmates, shooting selfies, wiping tears, giving hugs and preparing themselves for the moment. These images from Saturday are worthy of a last look at the Class of 2023 for this Commencement season.