VTCSOM Graduation 2024

Good morning and welcome to all of our faculty, staff, students, and guests today in this historic venue to celebrate the commencement ceremony of our 11th graduating class, the class of 2024 from the Virginia Tech lian School of Medicine. We are the class of 2024. In the face of life's challenges, we will thrive in our own adaptability and propel each other beyond our own expectations. Together, we vow to listen generously and serve wholeheartedly to support each other in our hardships and laugh together through our pain. I hope we enjoy this moment and this feeling. We certainly earned it. However, I know for this class, today is just a new starting point. These budding physicians, researchers, and community leaders who put so much good into our world. And I couldn't be more proud or more excited to see you all carry your torches everywhere you go. Profession of medicine is a beautiful thing. And it is hard. We must embrace the hardness of it, or we'll miss the beauty of it. Embrace the hardness. Embrace the beauty. You're stronger than you think. Don't lose sight of why we do what we do to take care of fellow human beings. Before you execute the science of medicine, practice the art of it, look out for the person who happens to be your patient. The weight of that degree will be really felt that first time that they hand you your name badge, and it says the letters MD afterwards. Let's chose the privilege that comes with these two letters to care for our patients, not just in the hospitals in the clinics, but in our communities, too. If we advocate professionally and collaboratively and with our patients well being is our priority, then we can rest assured that we're doing the right thing. So even if we don't change policy, Even if we don't win. People will listen to us, and we'll never know what kind of effect that may happen. When you get together for your 25th reunion, you will have 41 different stories to tell. Unique stories of how the specialty you chose and the journey you followed provided you with the opportunity to change lives as you are writing that story. Be brave, do the right thing, even if it's hard. Give back. Remember that someone at some point fought for you. On behalf of all physicians here today, I am very proud to formally welcome the Virginia Tech Carilian School of Medicine Class of 2024 into our profession.