Illinois Medicine

accomplishment. It is always wonderful to see how the students have grown and matured as individuals, learners, as leaders, community advocates and, of course, future physicians." Rockford graduates heard a commencement address from alumna Prerna Mona Khanna, MD '91, MPH, an Emmy-winning medical reporter and correspondent, who delivered a message of passion for health literacy and humanitarianism. (See p. 45 for more about Dr. Mona ). At the Chicago ceremony, the COM also gave an honorary degree to the Mayor of Mexico City, Miguel Angel Mancera Espinosa, whose administration has distinguished itself with significant advances in health care as well as opposition to human trafficking. Chicago graduate Megan Chan, president of the class of 2017, spoke at the commencement about the importance of health care as a human right. She also underscored the tone for the ceremony by emphasizing the diversity of the class and how supportive students were of each other. Chan will be a resident in surgery at South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside, N.Y. Graduates and speakers emphasized the importance of serving all patients. "We are here to take care of others," said keynote speaker Pedro "Joe" Greer Jr., MD, professor of medicine and associate dean for community engagement at Florida International University's Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine in Miami, and a 2009 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. "Listen to your patients." Meanwhile, for Deborah Brown, watching her son Darryl graduate reminded her that her son came to preschool here at UIC when she was on the faculty at the College of Pharmacy. "Whatever happens, the world still needs good physicians," she said. "I'm so proud of him." — Dan Baron HE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, known as one of the largest and most diverse medical schools in the country, graduated 360 students across its four campuses in early May, celebrating their accomplishments and sending them off to an impressive array of residency experiences going forward. "This day is a defining moment in your lives," said Timothy Killeen, PhD, president of the University of Illinois, to graduates at the Chicago commencement ceremony, which was held at the UIC Pavilion on May 5. "The next steps in your personal journey start here." Overall, 175 students received their doctor of medicine degrees in Chicago, 59 in Peoria, 56 in Rockford, and 20 in Urbana. In addition, 20 students received their doctorate of philosophy and 30 received master's degrees. Commencement exercises in Peoria, Rockford and Urbana were held on May 6. Chicago graduate Mamatha Challa, who will be a psychiatry resident at Stanford University, called the day "an incredible experience." She also participated in a hooding ceremony before the commencement with her mother, an internal medicine physician, and father, who has a doctorate in engineering. "They were instrumental in and supportive of me during my journey," she said. "We are among a small handful of medical schools that is focused both on care of the underserved and opportunities for students who have not heretofore had access to a medical education in a highly intensive research environment," said Raymond Curry, MD, grand marshal at the Chicago ceremony and senior associate dean for education, after the event. In Peoria, Meenakshy Aiyer, MD, associate dean for academic affairs, told the graduates assembled: "This is a time of joy, a time of pride and 4 | S U M M E R 2 0 1 7 campus news C H I C A G O P E O R I A R O C K F O R D U R B A N A - C H A M P A I G N T Graduates and speakers at the COM festivities underscored the importance of serving all patients. Celebrations at each campus were filled with joy and exuberance as the newly vested medical doctors and scientists became the COM's newest alumni. M4s take NEXT STEPS The COM class of 2017 commences life after medical school P H O T O S : D I A N E S M U T N Y ( C H I C A G O ) , D A R Y L W I L S O N ( P E O R I A ) , B R I A N T H O M A S P H O T O G R A P H Y ( R O C K F O R D ) College of Medicine faculty and staff gathered to celebrate the 360 graduating students across its four campuses in early May, including those pictured here in Peoria. P H O T O : D A R Y L W I L S O N

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