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05/18/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/19/2026 03:48

Boston University Medical School Graduates Step into Their Futures at Annual Convocations

Boston University Medical School Graduates Step into Their Futures at Annual Convocations

Speakers stress the importance of doctors earning trust, urge Class of 2026 graduates to make the world a better place

Chinyere Kemet (CAMED'26), who received her PhD in biomolecular pharmacology, receives congratulations from mentor Hui Feng, Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine associate professor of pharmacology and medicine, at the school's MD/PhD convocation held at BU's Track & Tennis Center May 14.

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Boston University Medical School Graduates Step into Their Futures at Annual Convocations

Speakers stress the importance of doctors earning trust, urge Class of 2026 graduates to make the world a better place

May 18, 2026
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Families and friends celebrated the passage of hundreds of Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine graduates into the worlds of medicine and science in two separate ceremonies held May 14 at BU's Tennis & Track Center.

A ceremony for graduating master's students was held at 10 am, and one for graduating medical degree and PhD students was held at 3 pm.

In his address at the MD/PhD convocation, invited speaker Atul Gawande, renowned surgeon, professor, and former assistant administrator for global health at the US Agency for International Development, spoke of the fundamental trust that must exist between patients and doctors.

Trust, Gawande advised, is won by doctors with competence, integrity, and benevolence.

Atul Gawande, renowned surgeon, author, and former assistant administrator for global health at the US Agency for International Development, delivers the May 14 MD/PHD convocation address.

"In this tricky moment in history, it can seem that the virtues of competence, integrity, and benevolence are not valued. But people are hungrier for them now than ever before. They will remain the keys to your success," he said. "If you consistently demonstrate over time not only that you can and will do what you say, but also that you truly mean well by people…that you understand where they're coming from and genuinely put their priorities first, then they will come to believe in you."

The afternoon ceremony awarded 161 degrees: 132 MDs, 22 PhDs, 5 MD/PhDs, and 1 MD/MBA and 1 MD/MPH.

Chosen by her classmates, Jenna Libera (CAMED'26) was the first of two student speakers at the MD/PhD convocation. Libera received her PhD in pharmacology and is employed by pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly. She spoke about the rewards and lessons of a life devoted to discovery.

"As we celebrate the completion of our journey at Boston University, may we remember to embrace the spirit of discovery in the future seasons of our life, in our career ambitions, and personal endeavors, continuing to marvel at the wonders that are yet to be discovered around us and within us."

Medical students selected Amos Mwaura (CAMED'26) as their speaker. He spoke of the constantly evolving field of medicine and the hope inherent in scientific discoveries, the need to find common ground with patients, and the necessity of finding a work-life balance.

"Time and time again, my peers have demonstrated that we are capable of being outstanding physicians, that we are driven to provide exceptional care…and, most importantly, that we are ready to improve the health of our communities one patient at a time," said Mwaura.

Amos Mwaura (CAMED'26) is greeted by his classmates after delivering his speech at the MD/PhD convocation May 14.

C. James McKnight, associate dean of the Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS) program, told graduate students receiving master's degrees at their convocation to continue making a difference.

"Your hard work here has prepared you, and we are confident that you have the will, the courage, and the tools that are necessary to make a difference in all of our futures," said McKnight.

GMS awarded 42 Master of Arts degrees, 334 Master of Science degrees, and 8 combined degrees at the Thursday morning ceremony.

The world is undergoing profound and rapid change with the impacts of artificial intelligence, a constantly shifting political and policy arena, and changes to federal research funding, said Hee-Young Park, dean ad interim of BU's medical school. She urged GMS graduates to continue what they'd done during their graduate education. "You remained focused. You stayed determined. You continued your pursuit of knowledge with purpose," she said. "This is exactly how you will make the world better."

Farihah Chowdhury (CAMED'26) was the first of three GMS students chosen by their peers to speak at the GMS convocation. The child of parents who immigrated to the United States from Bangladesh, Chowdhury said her parent's sacrifice to build a better life for their family instilled in her a profound sense of duty to serve others. The past 18 months volunteering in the hematology and oncology unit at Boston Medical Center, BU's primary teaching hospital, taught her valuable life lessons.

"My time volunteering at the hospital has helped me realize the importance of the smallest acts of kindness and what it feels like to play an essential part in someone's larger medical journey," said Chowdhury, who received a Master of Science in medical sciences.

Heading to the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School following graduation, student speaker Samuel Camilli (CAMED'26) chose to reflect on what he'd learned from failure, not success. The Sarasota, Fla., native felt he faltered when he couldn't continue sacrificing sleep and well-being working a hospital night shift while attending graduate school. He also internalized the rejection he invariably received when applying to medical schools.

But Camilli, who earned a Master of Science in pathology laboratory sciences, discovered three things that carried him forward: be fully present, be deliberative in how you spend your time, and observe and learn from the unexpected.

"Take time to look over your shoulder at the road behind you. See the victories and the failures, the highs and the lows," he told classmates. "Use that information in the present to adjust-not to panic…but to make a thoughtful next step."

The transition from her small town Virginia roots to Boston to enter the physician assistant program at BU was initially daunting for student speaker Paige Conner (CAMED'26). Bostonians were reserved, making brief eye contact and quick conversations, and many "passing by without a smile," which was a little intimidating, Conner recalled in her speech. But that changed when she met her friendly and supportive classmates and found that kindness takes many forms.

Paige Conner (CAMED'26) was one of the BU medical school's Graduate Medical Sciences convocation speakers on May 14.

"Sometimes it's quiet. Sometimes it's just someone showing up," said Conner, who is returning to Virginia to begin practicing as a physician assistant.

"Even in the most ordinary moments, we have the ability to impact someone in ways we may never fully realize," she said.

Those in healthcare tend to meet patients on what can be the worst day of their lives, Conner added.

"What they'll remember won't always be the diagnosis or the treatment," she said. "They'll remember how we treated them. They'll remember how we made them feel. As we move forward, don't underestimate the impact of how you show up-for your patients, your colleagues, each other, and yourself."

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Boston University published this content on May 18, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 19, 2026 at 09:48 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]