{"id":22978,"date":"2025-05-12T15:15:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T19:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/geiselmed.dartmouth.edu\/news\/?p=22978"},"modified":"2025-05-14T10:02:07","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T14:02:07","slug":"geisel-celebrates-md-class-of-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/geiselmed.dartmouth.edu\/news\/2025\/geisel-celebrates-md-class-of-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Geisel Celebrates MD Class of 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Geisel MD Class of 2025. Photo by Rob Strong<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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<\/sup> U.S. Surgeon General who is the first woman and the first Hispanic to hold this position.<\/p>\n

Novello opened her address on a light note, describing herself as \u201cfirst and foremost a VIP\u2014a very important Puerto Rican\u201d 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\u2019s Medical Spanish Pathway of Distinction and that the first cohort to complete the Pathway is among the Class of 2025.<\/p>\n

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Guest speaker Antonia Coello Novello, MD, MPH, Dr.PH. Photo by Rob Strong<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

She emphasized that success in medicine is dependent on respect and trust, \u201cKnowledge 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

And she challenged the new physicians to retain their humanity in the face of technological development in medicine\u2014to remember the faces and names of people behind the data\u2014because keeping humanism at the center of medicine is necessary for a healer.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough medicine is an ever-changing art and is not perfect, by God it is worth practicing,\u201d she said. \u201cIt is not a job or a business, it is a calling and an honorable way of life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Class-speaker Alexandra Conway MED \u201925 shared lighthearted observations about the collective medical school experience, such as, \u201cAt one point we have all looked a little silly putting on sterile gloves and if anyone denies that they are either clearly lying\u2014or extremely overconfident and if that\u2019s the case, good for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

On a more serious note, she said she hoped their futures continue to nurture their curiosity, joy, and courage, but when fearful or stressed, \u201cI hope we remain grounded knowing that this community, our Dartmouth Geisel family is here for us.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am honored to say that I graduated medical school with 82 of the best MDs the world has to offer, and I can\u2019t wait to see what we do. Congratulations, the Class of 2025!\u201d<\/p>\n

Conway received The William Mellen Chamberlain Memorial Prize and Dean\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Michelle Dong MED\u201925 received The Good Physician Award, selected by members of the graduating class as someone who best exemplifies the personal and intangible qualities\u2014caring and empathy\u2014of the good physician.<\/p>\n