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For Release: June 10, 2013
Contact: Derik Hertel, 603-650-1211 or derik.hertel@dartmouth.edu

Geisel School of Medicine Honors Class of 2013 Graduates
Best-selling physician-author Verghese stresses the human touch in medicine


Dr. Ann Davis (left) and Geisel Dean Chip Souba (center), congratulate graduates Broc Burke (left) and Akia Caine (center), while Dr. Rich Simons (right) introduces the graduating class of 2013 during the annual Class Day ceremony

Hanover, N.H.—The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth celebrated the accomplishments of 210 new graduates, including the school's largest ever graduating MD class, at Class Day ceremonies on June 8th.

The customary celebration held the day before Dartmouth College's commencement took place in the Class of 1978 Life Sciences Center Courtyard. In addition to receiving the hoods denoting their degrees, the graduating students also received sage advice from Dartmouth faculty, alumni, their peers, and special guest speakers.

The Class Day address was delivered by Abraham Verghese MD, MACP, a renowned author of three books including the bestseller, "Cutting for Stone," and a professor and senior associate chair for the theory and practice of medicine, Department of Medicine, at Stanford University. Verghese spoke to the students about the importance of keeping the human touch in medicine.

Geisel Dean Wiley "Chip" Souba told the graduates they need to be bold leaders in order to take on the challenges that confront our healthcare system.

"The future worth living into is one that you create in response to the question 'what is it that I am committed to that is bigger than myself?" said Souba. "What future are you committed to that is bigger that goes beyond achieving any personal goals or agenda you may have? Keep that in mind and think about it regularly."

This year, Geisel graduated 210 students, including 103 MD, 56 MPH, 18 MS, and 33 PhD. The newly minted physicians will continue their training at top teaching hospitals around the country. Graduating master's and doctoral students will embark on the next stage of careers in academia, and in public or private sectors.

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