As she looked out over the crowd at Miller Auditorium, fourth-year student Jacqueline Dauch recalled all that it had taken for her and her classmates to make it to their commencement, to celebrate their graduation from WMed, to revel in their first official day – Sunday, May 13 – as doctors.
“Our path to the MD degree was steep and grueling, lengthy at times, but it was our character, commitment and discipline that enabled us to follow through,” she said.” I’m very proud to be a member of the inaugural Class of 2018, surrounded by 47 brilliant and inspiring brand new physicians. You only pass by once but what you leave behind is what you stood for.
“Our time here has come to an end but together the Class of 2018 has left a lasting mark.”
The commencement for the Class of 2018 was – for them and WMed – the culmination of a journey that began in 2014 when they were welcomed as members of the new medical school’s inaugural class.
Dr. Hal B. Jenson, the medical school’s founding dean, thanked the students for being pioneers, for making the decision to complete their medical education at WMed.
“This inaugural commencement marks the end of our first as a medical school,” Dr. Jenson said. “As you accepted our offer of admission you expressed confidence in us as a new medical school as we showed confidence in you as a new medical student. It was a journey together.”
The students were joined at the May 13 commencement by their families and friends, WMed leadership, faculty and staff, and members of the Kalamazoo community.
Dr. Alan Shapiro, who offered the commencement address, told the students that the founding donors of the medical school “could not be more proud” of their accomplishments, of their hard work and resolve that brought them to their first day as physicians.
For Dr. Shapiro, senior medical director of Community Pediatric Programs at The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in New York and co-founder and medical director of Terra Firma: Healthcare and Justice, his address to the students at the commencement was a return to Kalamazoo for him.
In 2014, Dr. Shapiro was the keynote speaker when the students received their first white coats during the Class of 2018 White Coat Ceremony.
“In just a few weeks, you will begin your own amazing journey,” Dr. Shapiro said of the students who will begin their residency training this summer throughout the U.S. “Soak it all up … It is not what you practice but how you practice regardless of what field you go into.
“Wearing the white coat carries enormous responsibility.”
In her address, Dauch offered up to her classmates five questions that she said will serve her and them well as they step into the medical profession as doctors. The questions embodied true inquisitiveness and humility but also the avoidance of complacency and overconfidence.
“You will never be too important to lend a hand,” Dauch said. “How can I help? Ask this with humility. Ask your patients, ask their families, ask the nurses, the physical therapists … You will never regret coming to the aid of others and being nice to people along the way.
“Take pride in the way you finish and always remember that slow and steady wins the race,” Dauch added. “Medicine is hard, it will make you doubt your knowledge, question your decision making skill and, at times, leave you after shifts bewildered with lost battles. Just put one foot in front of the other and, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
After remarks from Dauch and Drs. Jenson and Shapiro, the students each crossed the stage at Miller where they were hooded by their learning community adviser and guest hooder. As each student’s hood was put in place, they heard their name with “Dr.” at the beginning for the very first time.
Later, as the students stood at their seats in the auditorium, Dr. Bonny Dickinson, associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and chair of the Faculty Academic Council, made their graduation from WMed official.
“Dean Jenson, the faculty of Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine certifies that these candidates have dutifully completed the requirements of the degree, Doctor of Medicine,” Dr. Dickinson said.
Dr. Dickinson’s words drew loud applause and cheers from the crowd at Miller.
“I confer onto each of you the degree, Doctor of Medicine,” Dr. Jenson said moments later. “Congratulations.”
Dr. Jenson congratulated the students for their choice to enter the medical profession, a choice he said “Will have a profound impact on the individuals that will be your patients and on the communities you serve.”
“As the inaugural class, you have set the precedent for future classes,” he said. “You are an exceptional class; the bar is high. As this class and future classes graduate and go forth to serve you fulfill the mission of this medical school by being exceptional.”