Geisel School of Medicine celebrated the MD Class of 2025 on Saturday, May 10, when 83 medical students received their Doctor of Medicine with family and friends in attendance.
After welcoming everyone to the Class Day ceremony, Duane Compton, PhD, dean of the medical school, introduced guest speaker Antonia Coello Novello, MD, MPH, Dr.PH, the 14th U.S. Surgeon General who is the first woman and the first Hispanic to hold this position.
Novello opened her address on a light note, describing herself as “first and foremost a VIP—a very important Puerto Rican” before she segued to the topics of respect, trust, being open minded, and maintaining humanity that are the core of healthcare. She also noted the importance of Geisel’s Medical Spanish Pathway of Distinction and that the first cohort to complete the Pathway is among the Class of 2025.
She emphasized that success in medicine is dependent on respect and trust, “Knowledge is power, but respect is character. Never be too busy to listen, it is the ultimate form of respect, and you will learn more about your patients.”
And she challenged the new physicians to retain their humanity in the face of technological development in medicine—to remember the faces and names of people behind the data—because keeping humanism at the center of medicine is necessary for a healer.
To protect against increasing professional burnout in a quickly changing, and unstable healthcare environment, Novello urged them to keep laughter, love, and solace in their lives.
“Although medicine is an ever-changing art and is not perfect, by God it is worth practicing,” she said. “It is not a job or a business, it is a calling and an honorable way of life.”
Class-speaker Alexandra Conway MED ’25 shared lighthearted observations about the collective medical school experience, such as, “At one point we have all looked a little silly putting on sterile gloves and if anyone denies that they are either clearly lying—or extremely overconfident and if that’s the case, good for you.”
As a class, she said, they have seen classmates marry, including to each other, those who have walked this road while being or becoming parents, and others who have generously served the Upper Valley community in numerous ways.
On a more serious note, she said she hoped their futures continue to nurture their curiosity, joy, and courage, but when fearful or stressed, “I hope we remain grounded knowing that this community, our Dartmouth Geisel family is here for us.
“I am honored to say that I graduated medical school with 82 of the best MDs the world has to offer, and I can’t wait to see what we do. Congratulations, the Class of 2025!”
Conway received The William Mellen Chamberlain Memorial Prize and Dean’s Medal, given each year to a member of the graduating class who, in the opinion of the faculty, has the best overall record of achievement during their four years of study at Geisel.
Michelle Dong MED’25 received The Good Physician Award, selected by members of the graduating class as someone who best exemplifies the personal and intangible qualities—caring and empathy—of the good physician.
Photos by Rob Strong
In his closing remarks, Compton asked graduates to recall milestones throughout their medical education—their first patient, their first exam room experience, the first time they assisted in a birth, sutured a wound, vaccinated a child, or gave a patient or their family good or bad news. The joy and relief of Match Day and the anticipation of the next big step.
“And through all of that, you committed yourselves to research projects, to community service, to our school, and to the science and practice of medicine,” he said. “We see each of you in your commitment to medicine and to community service that went far beyond the curriculum. We are incredibly proud of what you have accomplished and for being such a rich part of our community.”
Compton noted the ceremony marked an important milestone for him too—his final commencement as dean. “I’m especially happy to share this day with you because our collective future starts today,” he said. “You are going to discover a lot about yourself, and you will learn that your internal capacity for professional growth and evolution is far bigger than you realize.
“I don’t know what’s in store for each of you. What I do know, is that I feel confident walking into that future. Each of you arrived at Geisel as extraordinary individuals with exceptional intelligence, compassion, and a driving desire to help others.
“In getting to know you over the past four or five years, I can’t imagine putting our future into the hands of a more capable, thoughtful, and compassionate group of people,” he said.
“On behalf of all the faculty and staff, it has been our distinct pleasure and privilege to work with you and to guide you through your medical education. I offer you my deepest congratulations on your graduation today.”
If you missed the 2025 MD Class Day ceremony, watch the video here:
Achievement Recognition
During Friday’s annual Medical Student and Faculty Awards ceremony, Tara K. Cunningham, EdD, MS, associate dean for student life, recognized students, faculty, and residents for their achievements.
“What a joy it is to welcome everyone to this special day of celebration and recognition … honoring your remarkable achievements and everyone who has helped you arrive at this point,” Cunningham said.
Acknowledged students include:
Micah Trautwein MED ’25 received the John F. Raderbaugh Community Service Award, C. Everett Coop, MD, Courage Award, and the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Student Award Presented by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation. John, F. Dick III MED ’03 is the faculty recipient.
Soo Hwan Park MED ’25 received the American Academy of Neurology Medical Student Prize for Excellence in Neurology. The New Hampshire Pediatric Society Award went to Matthew Goff MED ’25, who also received the Payson-Wilson – Hampers MD/MBA Scholars Award. Franklin Corea-Dilbert MED ’25 and Maria Christina Gil Diaz MED ’25 received the Diversity Visionary Leadership Award. Francesco Emiliani MED ’25 received the S. Marsh Tenny Research Award and along with John Emery MED ’25, the E. Elizabeth French Distinguished Student Award in Pathology, Monika Gabriele MED ’25 received the Kyle Janeczek Memorial Award. Tamar Mosulishvili MED ’25 received the Dean’s Leadership Award.
Ernie Tao MED ’25 received the Rolf C. Syvertsen Fellow Award, and Steve Antwi-Boasiako MED ’25, Eleonore Baughan MED ’25, Michelle Dong MED ’25, Timothy McAuliffe MED ’25, Tamar Mosulishvili MED ’25 was named Rolf C. Syvertsen Scholars.
If you missed the 2025 Medical Student and Faculty Awards ceremony, watch the video here:
