UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix honors graduates
Kathleen Brite Hillis, MD, associate dean of clinical and competency-based education at the UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, hoods Jovanna Figueroa, MD, during the college’s spring 2024 commencement.
Photo by Noelle Haro-Gomez, UArizona Health Sciences Office of Communications
The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix celebrated its 14th commencement ceremony on May 6, 2024. Led by the traditional pipe and drum corps through the streets of downtown Phoenix, more than 90 medical students were awarded their doctor of medicine degrees, and two were the first to graduate from the college’s MD/PhD program. The graduates were joined by faculty and leaders from the university as they entered the Orpheum Theatre to cheers and applause from friends and family.
“Commencement is a time for advice, and you will receive advice from many. Let me be one of the first to offer a single piece of advice – do the right thing,” said Fredric E. Wondisford, MD, MBA, dean of the College of Medicine – Phoenix. “Do the right thing by your patients, your family and loved ones, and yourself. Your patients will demand your attention, as will your family and loved ones. Your happiness and job satisfaction are rooted in figuring out how to give them the time and consideration they deserve.”
Robert C. Robbins, MD, president of the University of Arizona, addressed the graduates as well, stressing how important it is for physicians to truly see their patients.
“One of the things I like to talk to medical students about is the importance of physicians truly seeing the person they are treating and not just viewing their numbers through a computer screen,” Robbins said. “While the physical exam may look different, or might not happen at all during virtual appointments, we can and should still have compassion for our patients. We must still advocate for them. And we must still build trust with them.”
To read more about the ceremony and see additional photos, please see the College of Medicine – Phoenix website.
Lily Sandblom, MD, carries the UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix banner as she prepares to lead her classmates into the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix for their commencement ceremony.
(From left) Jimmie Parks Watkins, DDS, PhD, MD, UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix assistant clinical professor; Michael D. Dake, MD, senior vice president for the UArizona Health Sciences; Cecilia Mata, chair of the Arizona Board of Regents; UArizona President Robert C. Robbins, MD; and UArizona College of Medicine –Phoenix Dean Fredric E. Wondisford, MD, wait in the lobby of the Orpheum Theatre for the start of the College of Medicine – Phoenix’s spring 2024 commencement ceremony.
(From left) UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix student Jeffrey Boward, MD, takes a selfie with classmates Katherine Barlow, MD, and Asif Becher, MD, in the lobby of the Orpheum Theatre before the start of the college’s 2024 spring commencement.
(From left) Marcus Childs, MD, Nicholas Groth, MD, Jorge Gonzalez, MD, Jayden Gubler, MD, and Prathima Harve, MD, prepare to enter the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix for the start of the UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix spring 2024 commencement.
(From left) Claire Faulkner, MD, Cassandra Everly, MD, Taylor Elinski, MD, Aaron Dowell, MD, and Jessica Dong, MD, prepare to enter the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix for the start of the UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix spring 2024 commencement.
Meher Rakkar, MD, exclaimes, “We did it!” as she gives the student address during the UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix spring 2024 commencement.
(From left) University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix assistant clinical professor Jimmie Parks Watkins, DDS, PhD, MD, accepts the Stuart D. Flynn, MD, Educator Award from Dean Fredric E. Wondisford, MD, during the college’s spring commencement.
University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Vice Dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs Ken Knox, MD, hoods Daniel Oheb, MD, during the college’s spring commencement.
Kathleen Brite Hillis, MD, associate dean of clinical and competency-based education at the UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, hoods Manrit Gill, MD, during the college’s spring 2024 commencement.
Ankedo Warda, MD, celebrates as Kathleen Brite Hillis, MD, associate dean of clinical and competency-based education at the UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, prepares to hood him during the college’s spring 2024 commencement.
Kathleen Brite Hillis, MD, associate dean of clinical and competency-based education at UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, hoods Elen Mendoza, MD, during the college’s spring 2024 commencement.
Jade Parker, MD, celebrates after UArizona President Robert C. Robbins, MD, confers degrees on the UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix class of 2024 during the spring commencement ceremony.
Theresa Bui, MD, celebrates with classmates as the UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix class of 2024 commencement ceremony draws to a close.
(Center) Daniel Oheb, MD, and Isabel Strouse, MD, celebrate with their families outside the Orpheum Theatre after their UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix class of 2024 commencement.
Sean McCauley, MD, is surrounded by his family after his UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix class of 2024 commencement.
Haya Al Any, MD, is hugged by her mom, Sinan Al Any, after her UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix class of 2024 commencement.
UArizona College of Medicine- Phoenix faculty and staff gather for a photo after wrapping up the college’s 2024 Commencement.