New beginnings for the class of 2021

Spring commencement ceremonies celebrate Ph.D. and M.D. graduates from the UF College of Medicine

A student poses for a photo while wearing graduation regalia.

May 18, 2021 — This spring, Ph.D. and M.D. students crossed the stage during a series of commencement ceremonies in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, transitioning from students to alumni and adding the word “Dr.” in front of their names for the first time.

During Saturday’s ceremony, 149 medical students heard words of wisdom and congratulations from guest speakers including UF President Kent Fuchs, UF College of Medicine Dean Colleen G. Koch, M.D., M.S., M.B.A., and Alma Littles, M.D., senior associate dean for medical education at FSU and a 1982 graduate of the UF College of Medicine.

The graduates then marked the end of their medical school careers and the start of new beginnings and opportunities by receiving their doctoral hoods and signing their names to the Hippocratic Oath.

“It is a humbling and rewarding gift to be entrusted with the care of another human, and each of you has the knowledge, the fortitude and the passion to answer that call of service,” Koch said. “You represent the very best of what it means to be a Gator M.D., and no matter how far from Gainesville you go, your home team will always be here to cheer you on.”

View the MD class of 2021 commencement site

Goodbye Gator Nation, I'm a #GatorMD

Hear from a handful of M.D. graduates from the class of 2021 as they share messages with their classmates and reflect on their time in medical school, where they laid the groundwork for their careers as physicians, found inspiration in their mentors and formed lifelong bonds.

Snapshots from Commencement

A student in graduation regalia poses for a photo with a woman while both are wearing face masks. — Students from the UF College of Medicine class of 2021 take their first steps as physicians during a commencement ceremony May 15 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

A student puts his hand to his chest while a video of the National Anthem plays on a screen. — Students from the UF College of Medicine class of 2021 take their first steps as physicians during a commencement ceremony May 15 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

A student and his family pose with Dean Colleen Koch, MD, after receiving his diploma. — Students from the UF College of Medicine class of 2021 take their first steps as physicians during a commencement ceremony May 15 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

Three students in graduation regalia poses for a photo in front of the stage. — Students from the UF College of Medicine class of 2021 take their first steps as physicians during a commencement ceremony May 15 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

Dean Koch delivers the commencement address. — Students from the UF College of Medicine class of 2021 take their first steps as physicians during a commencement ceremony May 15 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

A student receives her doctoral hood on stage. — Students from the UF College of Medicine class of 2021 take their first steps as physicians during a commencement ceremony May 15 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

Two students in graduation regalia poses for a photo in front of the stage. — Students from the UF College of Medicine class of 2021 take their first steps as physicians during a commencement ceremony May 15 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

A student in graduation regalia signs the Hippocratic oath. — Students from the UF College of Medicine class of 2021 take their first steps as physicians during a commencement ceremony May 15 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

Three students in graduation regalia poses for a photo with their diplomas. — Students from the UF College of Medicine class of 2021 take their first steps as physicians during a commencement ceremony May 15 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

A student poses for a photo with the bull Gator on U-F campus while holding her diploma. — Students from the UF College of Medicine class of 2021 take their first steps as physicians during a commencement ceremony May 15 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

A photo of the audience at commencement in the O-Connell Center. — Students from the UF College of Medicine class of 2021 take their first steps as physicians during a commencement ceremony May 15 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

Photos by Louis Brems

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