UMHS celebrated the Class of 2023 with a graduation ceremony at Lincoln Center in New York.

“Hard work, motivation, determination, and sacrifice … are the values by which you have lived and are the same values that will sustain you in your profession. Your hard work and dedication have finally paid off and you’ve achieved your dream of becoming a physician.”

NEW YORK (PRWEB)
July 11, 2023

The University of Medicine and Health Sciences, (UMHS), a small, mission-driven medical school with a commitment to student support and a legacy of successful residency placements, celebrated the graduating Class of 2023 on June 16 at Lincoln Center. The ceremony recognized 165 graduates as they received their Doctor of Medicine degrees and prepared to begin their residency training at leading programs in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The event was recorded and can be accessed by visiting the UMHS YouTube Live Events and Meetings page.

UMHS President Warren Ross noted that this graduating class faced the unique challenge of persevering through unprecedented challenges as the pandemic shifted their medical training to an online format. Students then assimilated to a hybrid model before returning to “boots on the ground” instruction and training.

“I know it hasn’t been easy, but in the face of adversity, in the toughest of conditions, you have prevailed,” said President Ross. “Hard work, motivation, determination, and sacrifice – these were not mere words for you. These are the values by which you have lived and are the same values that will sustain you in your profession. Your hard work and dedication have finally paid off and you’ve achieved your dream of becoming a physician.”

The graduation also featured a keynote address from Dr. Jeet Pillay, MD, Chief of Medicine at DMC Huron Valley Sinai, one of the largest training facilities in the world with 1,100 residents and fellows. Dr. Pillay emphasized that the challenges of the next phase of training as residents will also test the physicians’ ability to improvise, adapt and endure.

“Here you are at this exciting juncture with a well-deserved sense of accomplishment,” said Dr. Pillay. “I wish I could tell you it gets easier from here, but your next stage is much harder. You will make mistakes, but you will learn from them and you won’t be alone. So don’t be afraid of this next stage. Embrace it with confidence and curiosity. Add all this up and you have a competitive advantage.”

Following Dr. Pillay’s keynote address, the UMHS graduation ceremony featured the conferral of degrees, the recitation of the Hippocratic Oath, and special recognition of students graduating with honors. For the first time in the school’s history, President Ross announced two Valedictorians: Dr. Jonathan Coto Davila and Dr. Zachary Vandeveer.

The UMHS Class of 2023 achieved many significant “firsts.” This year, UMHS celebrated the most successful residency match in the school’s history, with graduates securing residencies in 11 medical specialties across 24 states and territories, including multiple matches in California, Texas, Michigan, and Puerto Rico, and the school’s first matches in Oregon and New Hampshire. Two UMHS graduates also matched directly into residencies in Canada through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS).

To view a recording of the UMHS Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremony please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–D6PQhs1PY

About UMHS

The University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS), is a small, mission-driven medical school with a commitment to student support and a legacy of successful residency placements in the United States and Canada. UMHS was founded in 2007 by medical education pioneers Warren and Robert Ross to deliver a highly personalized school experience. Graduates of UMHS earn a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) and qualify to practice medicine throughout the United States and Canada. Students begin their Basic Science studies in St. Kitts, West Indies, and complete their clinical training in the United States. With an unprecedented 96% student retention rate, the vast majority of students that begin their medical studies at UMHS go on to obtain residencies. For more information, visit https://www.umhs-sk.org/.

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